By Okechukwu Okechukwu
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Tuesday, deployed a total of 1,301 corps members to Anambra State for the 2022 Batch B Stream II orientation ceremony held at its permanent orientation camp in Umuawulu-Mbaukwu, Awka South LGA.
The State Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs Blessing Iruma, while speaking at the ceremony, charged them to strive to acquire relevant skills during the orientation programme so as to become employers of labours at the end.
According to Iruma, out of 1,301 new corps members, a total of 677 were females while 624 were males.
"I will like to remind you that white-collar jobs are not readily available. I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunities for self-employment offered through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme. You are expected 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. I am glad to inform you that they were all tested and confirmed fit for the exercise. They have equally been kitted and also accommodated in line with COVID-19 protocols. They are adjusting fast to the camp life.
"It is our expectation that they will sustain the tempo. We do hope that you will translate your talents into practical terms by contributing meaningfully in the different committees and activities you will be co-opted into. This is the time when your different leadership qualities will be put to test and I urge you to endeavour to give accurate accounts of yourselves and your background," she added.
Earlier, the Director General, NYSC, Brigadier General DIRECTOR-GENERAL, NYSC, MK FADAH, congratulated the corps members for graduating successfully from various institutions of learning and your subsequent mobilization for the National Service.
" My dear compatriots, the Orientation Course is the first Cardinal Programme of NYSC, which is aimed at introducing you to the objectives and programmes of the Scheme. It is designed to equip you for the tasks of the Service Year through lessons on Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, leadership coaching, paramilitary drills and other physical training as well as sensitization on topical national issues, amongst others.
"It is also a platform for kick-starting various activities that will enable you to realize your potential and attain individual feats both during and after service. I, therefore, enjoin you to utilize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by participating in all the Camp activities," he stated.