Speeches

Swearing-In Ceremony Of The 2008 Batch ‘C’ Corps Members

Nov 22, 2008 - It is my pleasure to address you today on the occasion of your swearing-in as corps members in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme. I congratulate you on your successes in your various examinations that have qualified you for call-up into the Scheme.

At the inception of the NYSC thirty six (36) years ago, the founding fathers thought it wise to establish this Scheme as a vehicle for mobilizing our youths towards national re-orientation and development. The scheme was designed to serve as a medium for national unity and integration, while assisting in ensuring even spread of the much needed professional manpower throughout the country through the mobilization and deployment of young graduates to States other than their States of origin. I am happy to state that the Scheme has over the years impacted positively on the psyche of Nigerians in general and the good people of Lagos State in particular, and has contributed immensely to the development of the rural areas through the various community development projects embarked upon by your predecessors as well as their contributions to the educational, social and healthcare delivery services in the rural communities.

The people of Lagos State are appreciative of the gallant roles your predecessors have played towards rural development especially in the fight against illiteracy through their participation in the Universal Basic Education Programme, as well as the provision of skilled manpower for our educational institutions. The contributions of your predecessors to fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS, and other community based programmes have created indelible marks in the annals of our development efforts.

In recognition of their contributions, many of them have been conferred with State and National Awards in the past. This administration is determined to ensure that whatever sacrifices you make to better the lots of your host communities will not go unacknowledged or unrewarded.

On your part, I will expect you to reciprocate these gestures by joining hands with the government in expanding the frontiers of community and State development through your active participation in such programmes as the fight against economic crimes, drug trafficking, women and child trafficking, mass and adult illiteracy programmes, community healthcare delivery services and other programmes of Lagos State Government.

In recognition of the pivotal role the private sector plays as the engine room for galvanizing the potentials of our economic growth and development, the Lagos State Government has issued a directive forestalling rejection of corps members in her service structure. It is hoped that you will use the opportunity of your service in these establishments to gain the necessary experience which will equip you to face the challenges of job creation after the service. Our government will not hesitate to sanction governmental departments that seek to abuse this privilege as the process will be very closely monitored.

The success of any service year is dependent on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise. As a result, the management of the Scheme has taken steps to continue with the skills acquisition programmes already operational in the orientation course content. I charge you to take the training in this and other aspects of the orientation seriously in order to adequately prepare yourselves towards self employment after service so as to enable you become creators and employers of labour. Our Government on its part will continue to create the enabling environment for the youths to maximize their potentials for self-realisation and self-employment. Your call to national service is a call to sacrifice, dedication, perseverance and humility. You are today called upon to serve in environments in which you may be totally new and which you may not find too comfortable. My administration is doing everything possible to ensure the provision of a befitting orientation camp for Lagos and a total overhaul of the existing camp facilities. On completion of the new camp site, it will be a sight to behold and the best amongst equals.

All stakeholders in both the public and private sectors will be encouraged to invest in the NYSC project through the development of the orientation camp and sponsorship of its programmes as a way of contributing to the development of the youths posted to Lagos State.

My distinguished gentlemen, corps members, no matter the situation you might find yourselves in during the service year, I urge you to see this rare opportunity of your call to service as a mark of honour and recognition of your worth to fatherland.

I urge you to use this opportunity to make new friends, gain a better understanding of Nigeria, put in your utmost in all that you do, and devote some time to self-reflection on your plan for your post-service life.

While wishing you all a successful and rewarding orientation exercise, I enjoin you to relate fairly and freely with your colleagues and members of your host communities to enable them benefit from your experiences and expertise.

It is now my pleasure to formally declare the 2008 Batch ‘C’ orientation exercise open.

Thank you and God bless.

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State