By Valentine Amanze
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has enjoined outgoing Corps members in the state to be agents of change and avoid mingling with mischief makers.
The governor gave the advice at the passing out ceremony of the 2019 Batch ‘A’ Corps Members deployed to Imo State on Thursday.
He commended them for fulfilling their service obligations to the state.
The governor also urged them to utilize the good things learnt during the one-year service into nation building and avoid acts that will jeopardize their future.
His words: “Today, I enjoin you to avoid mingling with mischief makers, hate speech vendors and other unpatriotic elements in the country that propagate as well as indulge in terrorism, drug peddling, human trafficking and advance fee fraud as a means of livelihood. Choose your friends wisely and report any unusual movement of individuals in your locality to the law enforcement agencies for prompt action.”
On some of the gains of the scheme to the state, Governor Uzodinma noted that NYSC scheme had recorded tremendous contributions to the growth and development of the state and nation.
He said: “I must add with pride and admiration that your diligence, high sense of responsibility, exceptional determination displayed in your respective places of primary assignments, in the course of the service year has indeed contributed in no small measure to the socio – economic development of the state.”
To the operators of the scheme in the state, Uzodinma tasked them to be more innovative, creative and resourceful.
“I urge you to consider the idea of creating Skills Acquisition Centres with other stakeholders in the state in a bid to facilitate the training of Corps members in viable ventures. This ideal, if rigorously pursued and sustained, will increasingly help equip and empower the Corps members greatly during their post service years,” the governor said.
He however assured that his administration would provide the enabling environment, support as well as assistance to the scheme at all times.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. George Eleboh, had said that 1800 Corps members were to pass out of which only three members would have their service extended for absconding.