The Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has re-re-iterated the commitment of his administration to youth empowerment and human development to enable them have a brighter future.
Ugwuanyi, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Uwakwe Azikiwe, stated this during the swearing in ceremony of 1,706 2018 Batch ‘C’ stream 11 Corps members held at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Awgu in Enugu State on Monday.
It was reported that 858 male and 848 female Corp members are participating in the three weeks orientation exercise.
The governor said, “It is on record that our administration has keen interest in and commitment to youth empowerment and development. This can be attested to by the recent Federal Government’s verdict that other governors should borrow a leaf from my humble self in the implementation and actualization Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), skills acquisition programme for the youth is a proof that Enugu State is playing its role in youth empowerment and human development.”
He enjoined the NYSC members to complement the government’s effort by developing as well as implementing projects that will have positive impact in the lives of the citizens especially the rural dwellers.
“The pivotal role the NYSC has played in national integration and development is attested to by contributions of Corps members to rural development and the implementation of many government programmes and projects. For instance, in Enugu State, the contributions of Corps members in the development of education and primary health care are unquantifiable. I therefore urge you to emulate your predecessors and continue to sustain the achievements of the scheme,” he said.
The governor however assures, “On our part, the state government will continue to provide enabling environment for you to discharge your responsibilities and reward those of you who excel during the service year. The regular payment of the allowance of Corps members serving with state establishments and the upgrading of the facilities in the orientation camp especially the effort at restoring electricity to the camp by the state government through Enugu State Rural Electrification Board testify to our commitment to the welfare of corps members”.
The governor thereby enjoined the Corps members to participate actively in the orientation course particularly the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme which is designed to prepare them for self-employment after service “in view of the need to be self reliant after service”.
“I want to assure you of your safety in the state. Despite the fact that Enugu State has the least crime rate in the country, security agents have been mandated to give you adequate security wherever you are posted to serve in the state,” he said.
Besides, the NYSC State Cordinator, Ahmed Wada Ikaka, had commended Governor Ugwuanyi for donating a new transformer to the camp.
He said, “We wish to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency for the uncommon interest he has demonstrated in improving the welfare of corps members. If you move into the camp you will notice a brand new transformer which the Governor provided in order to restore electricity to the camp. It may interest you to know that Enugu State Rural Electrification Board has been working assiduously to ensure that the camp is connected to the National Grid.
Ikaka thereby urged the Governor to reconstruct the largest male hostel in the camp, which, according to him, has the capacity to accommodate 500 Corps members as well as assist in the upgrading of facilities in the camp to meet the rising increase in the population of the Corp members.
According to him, the reconstruction of the hostel will go a long way to ameliorate the challenge of accommodation in the camp.
He also called on the state government to provide utility vehicles for the scheme noting “NYSC is a critical stakeholder for the forthcoming General Elections. From November, we are expected to embark on sensitization of all Corps members in the 17 LGA of the state to prepare the Corps members mentally and morally for the onerous task. This important National assignment is indeed in jeopardy due to lack of operational vehicles so urgent intervention will help position us well for effective participation in the General Elections to meet the Nation’s quest for a free, fair, credible and acceptable election,” he said.
