Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, yesterday charged corps members serving in the state to be involved in the fight against economic crimes, women trafficking, drug trafficking and other vices through mass and adult literacy programmes.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shuaibu gave the charge on the occasion of the swearing-in ceremony of the 2017 batch “A”stream I Orientation Course at the Temporary Orientation Camp
Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.
The governor reminded the corps members that the scheme was designed to serve as a medium for national unity and integration while assisting in ensuring even spread of the much needed professional manpower in the country through the mobilization and deployment of young graduates to states other than their states of origin.
Obaseki said it is worthy to say that the contributions of the scheme particularly in the state has over the years, impacted positively on the lives of the people through various community development projects embarked on by their predecessors as well as their contributions to educational, social and healthcare delivery services particularly to the rural communities.
He said in recognition of their selfless contributions, many of them have been conferred with state and national awards in the past adding that the state also has it as its own tradition of rewarding excellence among corps members who distinguished themselves through the execution of projects that have left their host communities better that they met them.
He further called on them to reciprocate the gestures of the state government by joining hands with it in its developmental stride in the state.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the National Youth Service Corps, State Coordinator, Mr. Abdulahi Yusuf Baba while presenting the 1,980 corps members before the state governor, said he was pleased to have welcome them to the state.
He said the corps members would be posted to specific areas of critical needs for the enhancement of rural healthcare delivery, education, rural infrastructure and agricultural development in the various parts of the state for their national service.
The state coordinator said that was aimed at partnering with the state government and ensuring rural development while serving other purposes of national integration and youth empowerment.
Abdulahi appealed to the state government to complete the NYSC Orientation Camp in Okada adding that it would in no doubt eliminate all the challenges faced by corps in the state.