By Nelson Utip
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, has pledged to upgrade facilities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp while maintaining a robust welfare package for corps members serving in the state, the governor said this during the official opening and swearing-in ceremony for the 2023 Batch ‘C’ Stream II Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp , Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai recently.
The Governor who was represented by Mr Ifiok Duff, Director of Sport, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, emphasized the government’s commitment to improving Camp Facilities. “As a caring government, we will continue to do our best to meet your needs and enhance the facilities in the orientation camp.
The government is determined to reward corps members’ efforts to improve our state’s socio-economic development. It will also continue to recognize and appreciate every noble initiative and sustain its welfare packages for corps members,” he explained.
The Governor urged Corp Members to follow the orientation course vehemently with ideals of nation-building as an integral part of their service year.
The State Coordinator of NYSC in Akwa Ibom, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwe in her remarks called on corps members posted to Akwa Ibom to embrace the orientation course with seriousness as it one of the required ingredients for nation-building.
She encouraged corps members to take advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program as it’s designed to help them conquer unemployment, emphasizing the importance of the orientation course, which according to her prepares corps members physically and mentally for a year of national service.
“The NYSC Scheme has evolved with changes in its orientation course content and the introduction of the SAED Programme. This is to encourage self-reliance at the end of your service year. It is, therefore, important that you actively participate in the SAED program throughout the duration of your orientation course and service as well,” Ekwe said.
According to Ekwe about 2,339 corps members were deployed to the state for the one-year national service, comprising 1,121 males and 1,218 females. She was full of praises for the state government for its unalloyed support in developing facilities at the orientation camp for the welfare of corps members while advising the corps members to exhibit exemplary conduct and internalize the ideals of national service as enshrined in the oath of allegiance. The day’s event climaxed in the administration of the Oath of Allegiance on the corps members by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaete Obot, who was represented by Justice Eme Ekong.
