The Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, has reassured increased partnership with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in harnessing youth potentialities and productive engagements.
Aliyu made this disclosure during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I corps members, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Wamakko, Sokoto State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy, Alhaji Bashir Umaru Kwabo, the governor urged the corps members to see the exercise as a clarion call to contribute their quota towards the development and advancement of a greater and better Nigeria.
He assured readiness of his administration to ensure the welfare, security, and well-being of corps members deployed to the state for national service.
The governor expressed deep appreciation to the management of the NYSC for its critical role in moulding and mentoring the youth to key into the laudable programs and policies of the government over the years, which have helped fast-track the growth and development of the country in all spheres of human endeavour.
“I sincerely welcome you to Sokoto State, the seat of the Caliphate. I want you to consider your deployment to the state as the will of God,” he said.
“I must admit that the three-week period of the orientation exercise demands your strength, discipline, tolerance, and some level of sacrifice. But rest assured that all of these will individually and collectively form the foundation upon which your tomorrow will be built, ” he said.
According to him, the scheme has also instilled in the youth a tradition of industry, hard work, patriotism, and loyalty in service. This is evident in the activities of corps members, which have positively affected the socio-economic development of the country through community efforts.
” It is worthy to mention that the relevance of the NYSC scheme in today’s Nigeria is undisputedly and overwhelmingly positive; hence, you have the challenge of sustaining the noble role of the scheme in nation-building.” he added.
He also assured them of his administration’s commitment to the security of corps members in any part of the state, with a directive to all security agencies and community leaders to ensure that a conducive environment is created for them to live and work, in line with his administration’s agenda to improve the human capacity of all citizens to effectively contribute to the peace and development of the state.
Aliyu noted that his administration’s youth policy is aimed at harnessing the creative talents and ingenuity of the state’s large youthful population by empowering them through skill acquisition training to contribute to the economic development of the state.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Yakubu Yaro Usman, implored the corps members to be disciplined, stressing that the camp exercise is regimented.
Usman further explained that the NYSC is a scheme of discipline and reward, saying that if the corps members wish to earn any award, it starts from the camp.
He also urged them to take the skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development program seriously, as it will enable them to be self-reliant after the service year.