By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to Lagos State to be committed to the orientation course in the camp, described it as crucial in the journey of life.
Sanwo-Olu, said this during his address at the formal opening and swearing-in of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members held on Tuesday at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
A total of 4,360 members were deployed to Lagos, of which 2,239 were lodged in the NYSC orientation camp Iyana-Ipaja.
Of the rest, 1,098 and 1,024 are observing the orientation programme in Osun and Ogun States respectively.
Sanwo-Olu said the orientation course was crucial, as it provided the platform to prepare corps members for the challenges of the service year and beyond.
“ It is a privilege to have you here in our state and I welcome you all to the nation’s ‘Centre of Excellence’.
“Lagos is a land of opportunities and it has continued to make the dreams of many come true.
“ Therefore, I charge you to seize this short period to fashion out for yourself a path for greatness so that you can achieve your dreams.
`I admonish you to take all aspects of the orientation course including the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) very seriously,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Olugbenga Oyerinde.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa, NYSC Lagos Coordinator, charged the corps members to defy tribal animosity and work for the unity of the nation.
Baderinwa said that the three-week orientation course was packaged to instil the spirit of endurance, leadership, patience, perseverance and most importantly, patriotism and discipline in the corps members.
“Your call to join the vanguard of youths in the service of your fatherland is a necessary engagement to register your quota as contributors to the stability of the Nigerian state, which is the greatest act of patriotism,” she said.
The coordinator advised the corps members to be security conscious at all times, tolerant, and respect the culture and religion of one another.
Meanwhile, three members who distinguished themselves in the test and screening conducted were appointed as camp directors to supervise activities during the orientation programme.
The Coordinator commended the Lagos State Government under Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the giant strides being made, especially in the construction of the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Agbowa, Ikorodu.
Mr Hammed Idowu-Tijani, Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, expressed delight with the activities of the NYSC.
He urged the new corps members to take advantage of the programmes put in place in the camp to further develop themselves and add value to the state.
The oath of allegiance signed by representatives of the 10 platoons was administered by Justice Mosunmola Balogun, representative of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.