The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr Abel Odoba, says the development and unity of Nigeria rests heavily on the youth of the country.
Odoba spoke on Thursday, in Ibadan, at the passing out ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members.
He reminded the corps members that nation building remained the core mandate of the one-year mandatory national service they have undergone.
The coordinator commended them for their meaningful contributions to their host communities and their initiatives of executing various community-oriented projects and making positive impact.
Odoba charged them not to be deterred by the current situation of the country, but to take up leadership roles that would enhance the advancement of the nation.
“You must be disciplined and always exhibit such, because without discipline, you can’t be good leaders,” he said.
The coordinator also advised them to utilise the training they had received through NYSC to change the narratives of disunity among members of the diverse ethnic groups.
He implored them to make the unity of the country their priority and duty wherever they found themselves after their disengagement from service.
Odoba, while encouraging them on entrepreneurship and self actualisation, said that the world had become more entrepreneurial, making white collar jobs less attractive.
“NYSC places emphasis on self-reliance and wealth creation; I therefore urge the outgoing corps members to put into practice all they have learnt.
“They should explore all the facilities available to them for start-up capital from various financial institutions the NYSC is partnering with through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme,” he said.
The coordinator advised the outgoing corps members to apply necessary acumen, right ideals and stay focused in their chosen career, business or other human endeavours.
Odoba said this was necessary to propel them to greater heights in the interest of the nation and themselves.
He enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the scheme, their families, and their various institutions of learning.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Local Government Inspector, Ibadan North, Mrs Kolade Comfort, said that most of the outgoing corps members performed excellently and deserved the Certification of National Service. (NAN)
