Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has described youth empowerment as an invaluable tool to effectively drive the country’s socio-economic development programmes.
Abiodun avowed that his administration would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to create a conducive environment for youths to actualise their potential, thereby enhancing the fortunes of the state.
The governor stated this on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony of Batch B, Stream II, of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, at Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu.
Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, pointed out that the programmes of NYSC were designed to give corps members a firm understanding of the aims and objectives of the scheme, as well as equip them with skills that would enable them to meet challenges of the service year.
The state’s helmsman called on corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and other well-meaning individuals, to join hands in providing an enabling environment to help the youths thrive. He stressed that the task of moulding the youths to be responsible leaders of tomorrow is a collective responsibility that cannot be left to government alone.
“As you commence your training for the one-year national service, I enjoin you to exhibit the highest level of responsibility, integrity, patriotism, loyalty, dedication, discipline and commitment to the nation.
“You must make a personal decision to abandon any past anti-social conduct and disposition so that the hope that you will move our nation to higher levels of achievement can be actualised,” he said.
Earlier, NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Olayinka Nasamu, revealed that the structured and regimented orientation exercise was designed to instill discipline and a sense of self-reliance in corps members. She urged them to take every aspect of the course seriously, particularly the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, programme, which aims to equip them with various skills.
Mrs Nasamu urged them to identify with their host communities, as residents of the state are friendly and accommodating.
She appreciated the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for supporting the NYSC to achieve a hitch-free scheme in the state.
A total of 1, 983 graduates, comprising 884 males and 1, 099 females, were registered for Ogun State.
