By Praise Chinecherem
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has assured that he would continue to place the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the centre of his administration.
The governor gave the assurance on Tuesday during the swearing in ceremony of 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation course of corps members at Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area of the State.
He advised corps members deployed to the state for their national service to stay back so they could enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance they contributed to during their one year period in the state.
He also charged the NYSC management to post corps members to areas of need of government for the rapid development of the state.
He said, “I have always believed in the philosophy that knowledge and skills are enduring forms of power. The power of skills transcends space and time and it is not constrained by any boundaries because it follows an individual anywhere he or she goes.
“This explains why I recently launched Solution Innovation District with the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the Microsoft and Wootlab to train 20,000 youths in the state. I assure you that the training of these young people in ICT would have multiplier effect in the short run.
“Again, my administration believes strongly in quantitative and qualitative education to practicalize this dream of government, I have recently employed not less than 5,000 teachers to service in schools in the state.
“Moreover, it is heartwarming to mention that no fewer than 5,000 youths have graduated from the first phase of One Youth Two Skills Programme. Phase II of this noble programme has 100 slots for corps members and many more slots would be added for them soon.
“The cumulative effect of all these efforts of government is positive revolution of the state to be copied by similar progressive minded leaders in the country.
“I therefore, charge the management of the NYSC to post corps members to all those enumerated areas of need of government and many more for the rapid development of the state.
“I also charge corps members to stay in the state after service. This is because having contributed to the development of the state, they should also be part of the enjoyment of the dividends of democracy and good governance.
“My administration will continue to place the NYSC at the centre of my administration as it continues to assist government in the actualization of its objectives.
Earlier, State Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma said a total of 1,602 comprising 721 male and 881 female were deployed to the state.
She charged them to make themselves ready to participate actively in all camp activities.
“Note that most of those activities are usually done competitively and on platoon basis. I encourage you to win laurels for your platoon,” she said.
