By Peter Uwumarogie
The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday presented Letter of Commendation to nine outgoing Corps members for outstanding performance in Gombe State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the recipients got special recognition of the scheme for executing viable community projects aimed at improving the wellbeing of rural dwellers.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen.Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated this during the passing out parade of the 2021 Batch `A’ Stream 1 Corps members at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe.
Ibrahim, represented by the NYSC Coordinator in Gombe State, Mrs Ada Imoni, lauded the corps members for executing lives-touching projects towards the improvement of the wellbeing of people at the grassroots.
While congratulating the corps members, Ibrahim said the scheme was proud of the legacies bequeathed to their host communities through Community Development Service (CDS).
“ May I at this juncture commend those of you who initiated and executed viable projects in your host communities across the state. It might interest you to know that emphasis has shifted from Urban to rural community-based project.
“Bearing in mind your ability to mobilise people and resources at that level towards the successful execution of projects that satisfy the needs of the community is worth commending,’’ he said.
The DG also commended the corps members for high sense of discipline exhibited during the service year.
He said that the service year has prepared the Corps members to be self productive rather than seek white-collar jobs.
He urged them “to experiment with your creative ideas and join the clique of product or service providers, rather than mere consumers.’’
Also, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya, commended all the Corps members for the invaluable contributions made through group and individual community development projects in the state.
According to Yahaya, their intervention in various spheres of life such as education, sports, agriculture and other critical sectors of social and economic development was well appreciated.
“We thank you for the selfless efforts in making our communities better, particularly the strengthening of our health initiatives for Rural Dwellers Programme by providing free medical interventions.
“Be innovative and determined to discover the vast opportunities that abound in the nation by being self-employees.
“You should exploit the goldmine inherent in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and rendering of social services among other business ventures,’’ he said.
One of the awardees, Akase Uguwasen, said she was motivated by the fact that absence of toilet facilities in schools could discourage girl-child education.
Uguwasen, who constructed toilets in a school, urged authorities concerned to prioritise building toilets in rural schools to promote hygiene and discourage open defecation.
NAN reports that 422 Corps members passed out, two absconded and one got extension of the service year by the Corps’ disciplinary committee. (NAN)
