…As Victoria Ani bows out

The new National Youth Service Corps State Coordinator in Ondo State, Mr. Sam Amaramiro Pepple has charged members of staff to renew their dedication to the Scheme that has given them public identity.

The new helmsman made the charge when he took over the administration of the Secretariat from Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani who has been posted to South East Area Office, Enugu.

Pepple, while addressing the members of staff at the NYSC Zonal Office in Akure, the state capital said that it was incumbent on the workforce to interprete their schedules in line with the policy directive of the management and in consonance with the Public Service Rule.

“My distinguished colleagues and family members, I have been given assurance by my predecessor that I am in good and safe hands and I want to believe that you will give me the quantum of measure of support you extended to Mrs. Ani. If I am not asking for too much, I will appreciate more of the support because you have made my sister to succeed and I pray to surpass her impressive records”.

“No single tree can make a forest and I strongly believe that God knows why He has brought me here. I am confident and hopeful that the good stories that I have heard about you will serve as a catalyst for us to achieve more and take the Secretariat to even more an enviable heights”.

He disclosed that his doors remain open to all members of staff who are determined to work for the common goal of the Scheme, stressing that indolence and laziness of any sort will not be tolerated.

The 21st Chief Executive Officer of the Scheme in the state hinted that the main focus of his administration will be centred on corps welfare and security.

“The reason why we were all employed into this noble Scheme is to cater for and see to the excellent welfare of members of the service corps wherever they are deployed or posted. Anything contrary to this is ultra vires and I am telling you today that going contrary to statutory assignments are not part of my mandate. Let us all be guided and be seen to act what we preach” he concluded.

Speaking earlier, the outgoing State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani thanked the management team and the entire workforce for being instrumental to the modest achievements she recorded in her three years tenure.

“I have said it before and I am still reiterating it now that I had the best team who genuinely supported my aspirations. The journey was not without challenges but I thank God who gave me extraordinarily hardworking members of staff who shared and supported my vision”.

She continued, ‘I have no doubt that you will extend same hands of fellowship to my successor who is an astute and cerebral administrator, a man who is an incurable goal getter and very versatile who has never been a disappointment in all positions of trust he has held in the past’.

Ani, who betrayed emotions, akin to someone who is giving valedictory speech prayed God to continue to abide with both immediate and extended families of members of staff as well as corps members serving the nation proudly in all the nooks and crannies of the country.

“There is time for everything under the sun, a time to come and a time to leave. I am very happy to leave Ondo State with fond memories of everyone who acted as bridge builders while it lasted and I want you to maintain those characteristics and attributes that have defined us collectively as winners. I love you all and I pray that it shall be well with you and your household wherever they may be on the surface of the earth. Bye for now”.

Mrs. Ani congratulated his successor who she described as a gentleman to the core and prayed that God will imbue him with the wisdom of Solomon and strength of Samson to succeed in the challenging tasks ahead.

The outgoing State Coordinator who was known as ‘Victorious Victoria’ for the breathtaking achievements she recorded, despite the paucity of funds, will be remembered for the honour she accorded members of staff and the welfare packages she showered on them.