Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared opened, the 2024 Batch A Stream 1 Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to Edo State at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the State.
The State Governor was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs, who doubles as Chairman, NYSC Edo State Governing Board, Hon. Zubairu Dada Abubakar.
In his address, Governor Obaseki congratulated the corps members for the successful completion of their academic pursuits, which qualified them to be mobilized into National Service. He encouraged them to prepare their body and mind for some paramilitary exercises designed for effective and productive participation in national development.
Governor Obaseki said the Orientation ceremony marked the official inauguration of the corps members into the NYSC Scheme to enable them register and prepare to contribute their quota to the development of the Nation. He enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the State and to make the best use of the opportunity to serve with commitment wherever they will be posted.
His Excellency stated that in the course of their one-year service, they might be faced with sundry opportunities and challenges, but admonished them to make the best out of the skill set that would be bequeathed to them in the Orientation Camp in order to make it a year of outstanding fulfilment. He cautioned against all forms of crime and societal vices that would endanger their lives in the course of their one-year National Service.
Earlier the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ben-Ushie Frances Ifeoma in her welcome address, said that the NYSC Camp in Edo State joined its counterparts across the Federation to kick-start the Orientation Course on Thursday, 15th February, 2024, with a total of one thousand, four hundred and fifty-nine registered corps members, comprising of seven hundred and fifty-five males and seven hundred and four females.
She acknowledged that the Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada which has been a long-age dream, was brought into fruition by the Governor Obaseki-led Administration and hoped that upon completion, would become the standard for all orientation camps nationwide. She congratulated the corps members who according to her, have fast adjusted to camp life and demonstrated great sense of discipline, dedication and responsibility since their arrival on camp.
High point of the event was the Administration of the Oath of Allegiance on corps members by the Chief Judge of the State, who was represented by Hon. Justice A. T. Momodu and representatives of various platoons signed the oath forms.
The event was graced by dignitaries including the Local Government Chairman of Ovia North-East, Hon. Collins Ogbewe, represented by Hon. Efe Idahor; the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, represented by Dr. Osas Ajayi; the Edo State Commissioner of Police represented by the DPO, Okada Police Division, SP. I. O. Julius; amongst others.
