By Ushang Ewa
Over two thousand youth corps members on Tuesday swore an oath of allegiance in the yet to be completed National Youth Service Corps permanent orientation camp in Obubra local government area.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Asu Okang had last week said that the renovation work on the camp will be completed by Monday, November 20, 2017.
“His Excellency, the Governor has directed that we complete all ongoing projects at the camp before Monday the 20th (of) November before the Corpers arrive on Tuesday.
“That is why we had to double our effort, workforce and even working hours to ensure that the brand new 400 capacity twin hostels with 24 compartment lavatory, the renovation of four other hostel blocks in both male and female hostels are all completed so that Corpers can return to Obubra,” Mr. Okang had said last weekend.
But, while addressing the Youth Corps members, Mr. Okang who represented Governor Ben Ayade said the renovation would be handled in phases with a sponsored article from the ministry saying: “The twin female hostel which is part of the first phase has already reached advance stage.”
“With this, we hope to give you an ultra modern Camp at the end of the exercise in spite of the paucity of funds,” Mr. Okang said and pledged that the state will engage corps members in its Calabar Garment factory, ministry of infrastructure as well as its signature projects.
Mr. Okang had said that both night and day shifts had been activated and maintained the state will beat the deadline as it does not want the youth corps members to hold their orientation at the College of Education, Akamkpa where the last two were held and caused the institution not to resume for a whole session.
Meanwhile, Mr. Okang who described the Batch B corps members as critical stakeholders in the overall success of the state’s industrialization drive, challenged them to use their multidisciplinary status and their vantage position to contribute to its industrial development as the state is set to maximize the potentials of graduate professionals to accelerate the success of the projects lined up for execution and those awaiting full operation.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Lady Ambekemo Eniola commended the state for ensuring the return of NYSC permanent orientation programmes to Obubra.
She averred that the approval and release of funds for the renovation of the camp facilities is truly a sign of hope, and indication of high level priority accorded the NYSC in the state and urged the corps members to take the various trainings lined up for them seriously as they will aid them to be self reliant after their service year.
“We have lined up series of activities ranging from paramilitary drills, citizenship and leadership training, lectures on security, skill acquisition programs, tradition and culture of the people among others,” said Eniola.
The youth corps members took the oath of allegiance before the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Hon. Justice Michael Edem who was represented by Chief Magistrate Iquo Bassey Ekanem.
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