A total number of 2120 corps members, comprising of 1794 males and 326 females posted to Abia state have been sworn in for the mandatory twelve months National service to their fatherland.
Speaking at the NYSC Permanent orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area during the swearing in ceremony of the 2017 Batch A Stream 11 Course for Corps members deployed to the Abia, The State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu reminded them of lots of opportunities which abound in Abia state waiting to be explored, especially for those will be interested in acquiring skills in any area of human endeavours
The Governor represented by Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, his deputy, further reminded them that Abia state is the home of commerce and enterprise and advised them to use the opportunity of their deployment to the state to develop and improve themselves even as they serve their fatherland.
The governor who enjoined them to be serious with every aspect of the course, counselled the corps members that the success of every human endeavour is dependent on the foundation laid. “The orientation course is the foundation of your service year as it provides you the platform of your physical, mental, emotional and psychological conditioning needed to face the challenges of the service year and beyond”, he pointed out.
Gov. Ikpeazu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the scheme and provision of the enabling environment for corps members to thrive, adding, ” that informed our decision to promptly provide for this orientation camp the 100KVA power generating set when the request came; this I believe has greatly added value to the stay of corps members in this camp. We are also determined to renovate some damaged structures in the camp and do more within the limits of available resources “.
In her address also, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth Development, Ugoeze Ifeyinwa Uwasomba reminded the corps members that the NYSC year has been designed to expose them to practical life experience starting with the orientation course.
She urged the corps members to reciprocate Abia state government’s good gesture designed for them by resolving to leave some indelible footprints in the state.
She said the state government is determined to ensure that whatever sacrifices made to better the living standard of their host communities will not go unrewarded.
Earlier in her welcome address, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Francesca Ifon assured the state government and Abians that NYSC will continue to play active role in achieving the vision and mission of Gov. Ikpeazu’s administration.
She said, ” these corps members have been well behaved and disciplined since their arrival, an indication of their willingness to serve. With this level of comportment shown, I am confident that we will make good success of this orientation course and indeed the entire service year”.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the swearing in of the corps members by the Chief Judge of Abia state, Hon. Justice Theresa Uzokwe represented by Hon. Justice C.E. Anyim
