A total of 2, 088 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday took oath of allegiance in Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course in Kwara.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Ikupolati Tosin, said this during the oath-taking ceremony at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Edu local government of the state.
She said as at the close of registration at midnight on Thursday, 1, 042 males and 1, 046 females were registered.
The oath was administered on the corps members by Justice Adegbite Olalekan who represented the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Suleiman Kawu at the ceremony.
Ikupolati said the orientation course marked the beginning of the induction, training and development of the youths after graduating from various institutions of learning.
She told the Corps members that the orientation course was designed for them in preparation of the rigor of national service.
“The orientation course is to instill in you the value of patriotism, loyalty, selfless service and above all, discipline.
“The life in camp shall be strictly regimented and your participation in all the activities is compulsory,” Ikupolati said.
The State Coordinator commended the State Governor for finding time to visit the camp.
“Your presence at his ceremony, would not only boost our morale in the NYSC Scheme, it also underscores the great premium the society placed on you,” she added.
She told the governor that the camp was in dire need of urgent attention, particularly in the area of fence as it lacked Perimeter fence, saying that beds and mattresses were inadequate.
Ikupolati said the hostels were in dilapidated condition as well as inadequate, adding that there is acute shortage of water in the camp.
She appealed to the Governor to consider payment of state allowance to Corps members serving in the state.
The State Coordinator also listed non provision of meal subsidy and augmentation of corps members feeding as a challenge facing the camp.
“Your Excellency, we are praying hard for the success of the new government in Kwara.
“We are also using this medium to seek your Excellency’s attention on the welfare and security of the corps members in the camp,” Ikupolarti added,
The state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in his address, thanked the Corps members for the roles they all played during the 2019 general elections.
“The inclusion of the patriotic corps members as ad-hoc personnel by the INEC gave the electoral processes, the desired credibility and acceptance,” he said.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi pledged the government’s commitment to the welfare of corps members serving in the state.
“Our administration in Kwara State is not unaware of the many infrastructural deficiencies here on our camp.
“I have been adequately briefed of the various needs that will make the camp conducive for the orientation exercise.
“I want to promise you that all these requests will receive adequate attention, as the economic situation of the state improves,” the governor said.
