The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has lauded the giant strides of corps members in showcasing in practical terms what they have learnt during the 11 days of intensive in-camp training of the skill acquisition programme.
The State Coordinator expressed this deep thought while formally drawing curtains on the activities of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) orientation course.
Mrs. Ani, who exuded joy as a proud parent would do, acknowledged the commitment and the sacrifice exhibited by the corps members during the Inter-Platoon competition which she described as a litmus test for the corps members to establish themselves as future entrepreneurs and employers of labour.
“I congratulate all those who participated in the competition/exhibition. You have shown the entire camp community that you can do it and your creativity and ingenuity will announce you to the world in due course”.
“We are not going to leave you to your destiny after camp as we have set all machinery in motion to monitor your activities and to ensure that your plans materialise. Get in touch with your Local Government Inspectors and SAED Schedule Officers in case of any challenge and they would offer both administrative and professional advice which I believe will help you out,” she said.
She urged them to protect their lives and secure their future by learning a skill that will stand them out among their peers and contemporaries, and renege from being a slave to indecision nor allow anything to distract them from the pathway to glory.
“Successful entrepreneurs like Otunba Mike Adenuga, Chief Femi Otedola, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Tony Elumelu and some others started small and today, they are giants in their various endeavours and I want you to take the bull by the horn so that you will become successful entrepreneurs and employers of labour in the foreseeable future”.
The administrator who is known to be passionate about the well-being and progress of her children advised those who did not show any keen interest in the SAED programme thinking that they are well connected to have a rethink.
“I want to admonish you to embrace the post-camp training at your respective places of primary assignment. NYSC has taught you how to fish and it is now left for you to spread your nets to gather what will stabilise you and make you independent rather than being a liability unto others”.
The State Coordinator did not fail to thank everyone, especially the Trainers/Facilitators who contributed to the solid foundation NYSC has laid for the innovative ideas the corps members have gone through in the course of SAED activities.
“Also, I want to thank immensely all the camp officials and other stakeholders who served as a pillar at the in-camp training”.
The Assistant Director/Head, SAED, Mr. Olugbenga Justus Adefehinti in an unusual way invited a drama troupe who drove home the point that SAED was not a scam as being peddled in some quarters.
Adefehinti asserted that the competition/exhibition that was on display was enough to convince the doubting Thomases that the programme introduced 11 years ago has become a turning point to graduate youths who look into the future with uncertainty.
As the event was wrapping up, the leaders of all the platoons as well as the three Corps Camp Directors, on behalf of the entire 2023 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) corps members presented a podium to the orientation camp as their contribution towards sustaining the Scheme.
The State Coordinator who was surprised at this magnanimity declared that the corps members have demonstrated the practicality of the leadership training they received at the camp and disclosed that NYSC will not forget them in a hurry and prayed that the society at large will benefit from their selfless service which will make the country to grow.
