The Director-General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, has cautioned Corps members against negative use of the social media.
Ibrahim gave the advice in an address to the formal opening of the 2021 Batch ‘C’ stream I Orientation course and swearing in of corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu local government area of Kwara.
The director general’s address was read by Mrs Francisca Olaleye, Kwara state NYSC coordinator, at the swearing in of the new corps members deployed to Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 1, 400 corps members, comprising 696 males and 704 females, took the oath of allegiance administered by Justice J.Z. Umar, who represented the state Chief Judge.
“Let me use this opportunity to caution you against indulgence in cultism, drug abuse and other social vices.
“I also urge you to use the social media only for the promotion of unity and other positive purposes, rather than rumour peddling and the promotion of hatred.
“At all times, you must be security conscious, and avoid putting yourselves in harm’s way,” the DG said.
He also advised the corps members to take advantage of the skills acquisition programme provided at the orientation camp, to learn a skill that would enable them to be self-reliant after the service year.
“It is no longer news that white collar jobs are hard to come by. For this reason, the empowerment of Corps members for self-employment and wealth creation has been a major area of focus for the Scheme since 2012.
‘You will from this moment be availed of that opportunity, through our Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
“I am happy to inform you that many of your predecessors, who embraced vocational and entrepreneurial training on the SAED platform, are now successful business owners.
“I, therefore, encourage you to stay off the long queue of job seekers by choosing from the various skill sets and participate fully in the training sessions.
“On our part, we shall continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including financial institutions, to enable you actualize your business dreams,” the DG said.
Ibrahim also urged the corps members to always comply with the COVID-19 safety protocols while in camp.
“At this juncture, I wish to remind you of the need to continue to comply with the COVID-19 prevention protocols throughout the orientation period.
“In particular, you must ensure physical distancing and wearing of face masks, as well as make good use of hand washing facilities provided at strategic locations, amongst other safety measures.
“As you may be aware, the Federal Government has announced plans to make presentation of evidence of COVID-19 vaccination by civil servants a pre-requisite for gaining entry into public offices as from 1st December, 2021.
“I, therefore, encourage those of you, who are yet to take the vaccine, to do so without further delay, as the rule could apply to Corps members in their places of primary assignment.
“Of greater significance is the fact that the vaccine will keep you safe.
“We are already in touch with the relevant authorities with a view to ensuring that the vaccines are made available to you in the course of this programme,” he said.
Earlier, in her address of welcome, the state coordinator, Mrs Francisca Olaleye congratulated the corps members for their successes in their various examinations that qualified them for the orientation course.
She told them that the programme would equip them for the realization of their potentials and attainment of individual goals, both within the period of service and beyond.
“Highlights of the camp activities will include lessons on the four Cardinal Programmes of the NYSC, leadership coaching, paramilitary drills and other physical trainings, ” she said.
According to the coordinator, it would also include sensitization on topical national issues, amongst others.
“You are expected to avail yourselves of this unique opportunity by participating actively in all the scheme’s programmes,” she added.
