NYSC IS A REWARDER

:Kazaure

The National Youth Service Corps scheme has been described as a rewarder. The statement was made by the Director General, Brig. Gen. SZ Kazaure during his one day visit to the permanent orientation camp Ede, Osun State.

The Director General who was represented by the Director Planning Research and Statistics, Mrs. Victoria Bose Okakwu, described the permanent orientation camp as the best in the country. She further commended the high spirit exhibited by the corps members which according to her "is a reflection that you are happy and well pleased to be called up for the 2018 Batch C stream I orientation course", " it is also a reflection that you're happy and well pleased with your deployment to Osun State".

Okakwu assured the corps members of the scheme's resolve to always create and ensure an enabling environment for them to render their services. She added that the NYSC is a scheme that rewards hard work and diligence. She exposed the corps members to the various types of award available for members of the scheme and some of the criteria taken into consideration when awarding corps members.

She however stressed that the scheme also has its 'carrot and stick' system. The scheme does not only reward hard work but also punishes members who fall short of the scheme's expectations.

In addition, she called on corps members to embrace the SAED programme which she described as a prestigious programme capable of making corps members become entrepreneurs and ultimately wealth creators.

Speaking on the 2019 election, Okakwu challenged the members to surpass the achievements of their predecessors who took part in the 2015 election. She called on them to be apolitical " as NYSC is a neutral scheme", she added. " I want you to surpass what your predecessors have done by been honest and upright in your actions", " do not mingle with or entangle yourselves with politicians", she concluded.

Correspondingly, the State Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Attah described Mrs. Okakwu as a seasoned administrator and a woman who is passionate about the scheme. He made this description while welcoming and briefing the Director General on the state of the camp. He apprized the DG that a total of 108 corps members had been granted instant relocation. According to him " out of this number, 35 were nursing and pregnant corps members while 73 where those with serious ailments who need close monitoring by family members and medical personnel fully armed with the knowledge of the medical history of such corps members".

Highlights of the event include: the cutting of cake by the Director General and corps members whose birthdays coincided with the Director General's visit; colourful display by the quarter guard, band and cultural troupe; and presentation of gifts to corps members by the Director General.