BENIN CITY- Governor Godwin Obaseki has revealed his resolve to engage the services of National Youth Service Corp members as paramedics to boost manpower for Edo 2020 National Sports Festival holding from March 22 to April 1, 2020.
He made this known yesterday during the passing out parade of Batch “A” 2019 Corp members deployed to Edo State for their mandatory one year Service. He was represented by the deputy, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu at the occasion which took place at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Ugbowo. Three of the Corp members were docorated with the, “State Honours Award” for positively affecting their host communities as seven others would repeat process for absconding. He however commended the batch for their patriotism.
Governor Godwin Obaseki observed that the National Youth Service Scheme has attained remarkable milestones in its mission of national integration and development since its establishment in 1973.
He revealed his resolve to engage the services of Corp members as paramedics and other related fields to boost manpower for Edo 2020 National Sports Festival against the prevailing backdrop that, “Records attest to the scheme’s sustained relevance to our communities and the nation at large…Indeed, many communities within Edo and other states depend largely on the national youth service corps for graduate teachers, doctors and other medical manpower.”
The Governor also revealed that the state government has, “Resumed construction work at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Okada, Ovia North- East and we are determined more than ever to complete all construction works at the camp site to enable the occupation of the camp before the 2020 Batch ‘B’ orientation course begins in the state.”
Chairman, Edo State NYSC Governing Board and Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Damia. Lawani advised the outgoing Youth Corp members to explore opportunities provided by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) skills acquired during the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship Development Training Programme (SAED) coupled with the support offered by some financial institutions to entrepreneurs to better their lot as white collar jobs are no longer available.
NYSC Edo State Coordinator, Mr. Adebayo Ojo attested that, “This batch of Corp members initiated and executed numerous community projects across the state from construction of toilet in markets and schools, donation of school uniforms and notebooks to students, vocational training for unemployed youth, sensitization of members of their host communities on topical health issues, renovation of schools to provision of free legal services to indigent Nigerians.”
He stated that apart from the three Corp members who displayed sterling qualities, four others won the Chairman’s commendation certificate with an additional four presented with the state coordinator’s recognition certificate of recognition.
A total of 1,728 youth corp members were deployed to Edo State for their National Service with data showing that there were seven hundred and seventy seven (777) males and nine hundred and fifty one (951) females.
