BY SAM DUVWODE
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, has enjoined out-gone Corps members in the State to build on the experience and maintain the socio-cultural ties they have established in the last one year. According to him, that is one of the ingredients of national unity and integration.
Governor Okowa, who gave the charge today in Asaba, during the passing-out ceremony of the 2019 Batch ‘A’ Corps Members deployed to Delta State, commended corps members who made outstanding contributions through individual and group Community Development Service (CDS) projects in the State.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, noted that, as part of his administration’s expression of support for the contribution of youths to national development, those who distinguished themselves will be bestowed with the State Honour Award.
The governor urged the corps members to be bold enough to face the challenges ahead. According to him; “dear corps members, as you exit the service to enter the wider society, be bold to face whatever challenges that you encounter, having the confidence that the training and experience you acquired while you served, would be a back-up”.
“As you try to establish your foothold as ex-corps members, avoid any involvement in unpatriotic activities such as kidnapping, internet fraud, thuggery, drug addiction, armed robbery, cultism and other vices in the society, as these will ruin the future of those caught in the act”. Gov. Okowa stated.
Governor Okowa, assured that, the Delta State government will continue to make the operations of NYSC Delta State a model through sustained support in the areas of logistics and provision of modern facilities at the permanent orientation camp at Issel-Uku.
While saying that government will always make available jobs accessible, Governor Okowa noted that, his administration had mapped out various empowerment programmes targeting the youths with the aim of teaching the youths how to fish and not giving them fish.
Earlier, State Coordinator, NYSC Delta State, Mrs Olutayo Samuel, commended the state governor for his continued moral and sustained interest in the affairs of NYSC in the State, which according to her, had brought the scheme to the present pedestal.
Mrs. Olutayo noted that a total of 3,011 Corps members made up of 1, 304 males and 1,707 females will be passing out in Delta State. She noted, that the Corps members performed well during the past one year of service in the are of Community Development Service (CDS).
She noted some of the CDS achievements by corps members to include, health care delivery service by Corps doctors, massive awareness campaign against the deadly lassa fever, Corona Virus and HIV/AIDS diseases, educational advancement at the grass root by the Mass Literacy group as well as others.
She also noted that a total of 52 Corps members who were found wanting in the discharged of their duties during service year will have their service year extended by the period ranging from two weeks to five months while others whose cases have hit the abscondment mark have been forwarded to our National Directorate Headquarters Abuja towards repeat of the service year to serve as deterrent to other serving corps members.
Highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of cash awards by the state governor to outstanding Corps members which includes; Dr. Ugwunwarua Joel Chukwudi who received the sum of N200,000. for the state award and N150,000. to Miss Amadi Chinyere who recieved the Chariman NYSC governing Board Award respectively.