Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim has admonished Corps Members to avoid cultism, drug abuse and other social vices that can mar their future.
A statement issued by the Corp’s Deputy Director Press and Public Relations, Mr. Emeka Mgbemena said General Ibrahim gave the advice on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in his address to the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps Members during the Swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC FCT Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja.
TheFact Nigeria observed that, despite the government’s efforts to stem the tide of drug abuse in the country, there has been a consistent rise in the number of cases, especially among adolescents (10-25 years of age).
General Ibrahim counselled the Corp Members to use the Orientation Course, which is the first cardinal programme of the Scheme to equip themselves adequately for the tasks that lie within the service year.
He urged them to ensure participatory camp life by taking seriously leadership training, paramilitary drills and other physical trainings, as well as sensitization on topical national issues.
Similarly, he also advised the Corps Members to use the NYSC platform to kick-start the various activities that will enable them realize their potentials and attain great feat, both within and beyond the service year.
“You must continue to distance yourself from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices. I enjoin you to avail yourselves of this once-in-a-life-time opportunity by participating actively in all camp activities.
“I implore you to sustain the high level of discipline and enthusiasm you have demonstrated so far, especially by obeying the camp rules and regulations”, he said.
Ibrahim informed the Corps Members that one of the objectives of NYSC was to promote national unity and integration, hence, they must use the social media to achieve that, instead of using it to spread fake news, hatred, among others.
He urged them to entrench the culture of working together in an atmosphere filled with friendship, love, harmony, and shared vision of a great and prosperous Nigeria.
Speaking further, General Ibrahim admonished the Corps Members to be security conscious at all times and report any suspicious character around them to the appropriate authorities.
He reminded them that white-collar jobs were not readily available, therefore, they should take the skill acquisition program seriously. He said:
” l encourage you to avail yourselves of opportunities for self-employment offered through our Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
“You are to choose from any of the skill areas, and make yourselves available for the training, which starts from the Orientation camp.
“On our part, Management will continue to work with relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme”, Ibrahim said.
A total of 2,500 Corps Members took the Oath of Allegiance administered by the FCT Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Husseini BabaYusuf, represented by Hon. Justice Olukayode Adeniyi.
