Tina Ezin, Calabar
Gov Ben Ayade
Gov. Ben Ayade has commended the equanimity of corp members during the Febuary 25 and March 18 general elections in the nation.
Ayade gave the commendation on Friday during the Swearing in ceremony of the 2023 Batch A Stream two Corps Members at the Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Obubura, Cross River.
Represented by Mr Edum Egbala, Director of Finance, Ministry of Youth and Skill Acquisition in Cross River the governor appreciated the management of NYSC for sensitising corps members who were ad-hoc staff during polls.
According to him, the corps members were not just effective during the polls but conducted themselves with high sense of decorum across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said the election which ushered in fresh leaders to pilot the affairs of government at all levels will translate to consolidation of the laid down foundation aimed at building Cross River.
Speaking further, Ayade disclosed that the government of Cross River was taking the lead nationwide as the most youth friendly government adding that they intend to keep the reputation.
“Cross River from inception has been a beneficiary of the NYSC scheme through its contribution to education, health, infrastructural and economic development.
“These contributions are evident from the enormous number of people-oriented community development projects executed by past corps members with awards at the end of every service year.
“It is important to note that the NYSC has remained the only Nigerian venture that has stood the test of time having being in existence for about 50 years,” he said
He urged the corps members to be guided by the lofty objectives of the scheme, especially eliminating ignorance and confirming at first sight the many similarities among various ethnic groups they would meet during the orientation exercise.
He added that government would do everything possible to ensure their security and the security of all law abiding citizen of the state.
It would be recalled that earlier, in a statement by Brig-Gen Yushau Ahmed, Director General of the scheme, he warned corps members against indulgence in cultism, drug abuse and other social vices including using social media to peddle hatred.
The statement delivered by the State Coordinator of the NYSC Mr. Zemo Andrew also encouraged corps members to take advantage of the Skill Aquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as white collar jobs were becoming scarce.
He also urged the corps members to ponder on the solemn oath they had taken to serve their fatherland and be guided by its spirit and letters.
