BY EDMOND ODOK – Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has cautioned members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) against manipulating postings to their preferred places of assignments during the service year.
Dr Aliyu said influencing their posting away from rural communities to their places of interest has contributed to destroying the essence of the scheme meant to raise and empower the country’s leaders.
She said it was important for Corps’ members to desist from such unpatriotic acts because their services are most needed in rural communities even as such postings also provide them opportunities to gain more recognition in hard-to-reach communities.
The Minister told NYSC management team led by the FCT Coordinator, Alhaji Abdul Suleiman that visited her in Abuja, that; “Corps members’ responsiveness to the plight of the people depicts a very high quality of leadership and that is missing among our youths.
”So in essence, it is in those rural areas that offer you the opportunity to show your leadership qualities. It is only in those remote areas that you can think out of the box for the benefit of the people.”
According to her; “These are areas that often lack portable water, and other social amenities. Seeing the condition of the people can give you the necessary push to come up with ideas on what to do for the benefit of mankind.”
She noted that already developed areas like Garki and Wuse districts cannot offer Corps members the opportunity to be passionate about society or think creatively on things to do going forward.
The Minister, who assured that the FCT would continue to serve as home to all Corps members posted here for their service year, said; ”So, for you to get all the latitudes to hit the ground running, you have to serve in rural communities.
Urging the Corps’ members to remain focused and committed to nation-building as future leaders and key stakeholders in the socio-economic and political development of the country, Dr Aliyu said; “Please, I urge you all not to work your ways to be redeployed”, adding that they should take any posting as part of their contributions to building a better Nigeria of our dreams.
Speaking earlier, the NYSC FCT Coordinator, Alhaji Abdul Suleiman, informed the Minister that the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course commenced as scheduled, explaining that all the Corps members have been properly tutored on the existing COVID-19 preventive protocols in camp.
Suleiman disclosed that the Camp officials and community were screened with a total of 1,340 Corps members registered and sworn in by a representative of the FCT Chief Judge.
Noting that the Corps members have continued to exhibit a high level of discipline and resilience, NYSC Coordinator lauded the FCT’s administration and the community, for providing the enabling environment to host the orientation camp.
The visit was also highlighted by the official presentation of an artwork to the Minister by a Corps member, Okon Lawrence Idim.
