Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has charged Corps members to actualise the vision of the founding fathers by working towards the development of the country.
The Governor gave the charge in his address during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘C’ (Stream 1) Corps members deployed to Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, said that members of the service corps should give their best to the nation.
According to the Governor, Corps members face a greater challenge in proving that the future of Nigeria and the coming generations will be secured in their hands.
He enjoined them to rededicate themselves and brace up for the tasks ahead, adding that they would be exposed to the daunting, arduous, but fulfilling challenges of national development.
Aiyedatiwa said that the period of their induction into national service is a time for sober reflection on the evolution of the country and their roles as catalysts for the much-needed national rebirth and reconstruction.
The Special Guest of Honour, however, admonished them to eschew all forms of negative tendencies and rededicate themselves, with all vigour, to the tasks of bringing about positive changes.
The Chief Host of all the Corps members deployed to the Sunshine State assured them that their welfare and security would be adequately taken care of during their service year.
He promised that his administration would continue to support the National Youth Service Corps in the state at all times to ensure that they have a memorable service year.
In fulfilment of the provision of the Act establishing the National Youth Service Corps, which derives its strength from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Aiyedatiwa declared open the orientation course, with a call to the new entrants into the noble Scheme to take a cue from their predecessors and be selfless, patriotic citizens of Nigeria during and after the service year.
In her welcome address, the Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Kuburat Omowumi Bakare, informed the Corps members that the orientation course has been designed to, among other things, introduce them to the objectives and programmes of the NYSC Scheme.
While thanking the Executive Governor for his love for youth development, especially his commitment to upgrading the camp facilities and structures, she announced that a total of 1,244 Corps members, comprising 567 males and 677 females, have registered for service in Ondo State.
The administration of the Oath of Allegiance to the registered Corps members was performed by the representative of the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Bankole Akinwunmi, who charged them to be proud of their fatherland and to appreciate, cherish, and uphold the culture, traditions, arts, and languages of the nation and its people.