Esther Okoi|26th November, 2017
The Cross River State Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade, last week, has assured that the State will maximize the potentials of graduate professionals in different field of study under the auspices of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to accelerate the successes of projects lined up for execution and those awaiting full operation NegroidHaven has garnered.
Governor Ayade who stated this during the 2017 Batch “B” swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Obubra, pledged to engage the services of the Corps Members posted to the State in the Calabar garment factory and other mega projects in the State, noting that their contributions to actualizing the lofty ideas of the present administration cannot be underestimated.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Comrade Asu Okang described the Corps Members as critical stake holders in the overall success of the State’s industrialization drive and challenged them to use their multi-disciplinary status and their vantage position to contribute positively to the industrial development of the State.
Governor Ayade intimated the management of NYSC of his resolve to absorb Corps members who are graduates of Agricultural Science; Engineering; Science and Technology; amongst others, to the State Ministry of Infrastructural Development where their services will be needed both for building Cross River State and for acquiring skills for self development, adding that the State is poised to support the Corps Member in whatever capacity that is required to ensure that they have a successful and productive service year.
According to him, the Cross River State Super Highway which is to link the northern part of the country to the State Deep Sea Port that would serve as an evacuation corridor will also make available employment opportunities for Corps Members serving in the State, thereby providing them with an opportunity to be versatile and duly engaged throughout their service year and afterwards.
Speaking on the ongoing renovation of the NYSC Permanent Camp, Obubra, the State Governor said the renovation would be handled in phases, stating that the twin female hostel which is part of the first phase has already reached advance stage. He emphasized that the essence is to build an ultra modern Camp at the end of the exercise in spite of the paucity of funds and other challenges.
Earlier, the Cross River State NYSC, Coordinator, Lady Ambekemo Eniola appreciated the State Governor for ensuring the return of the Orientation exercise back to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp at Obubra, noting that the approval and release of funds for the renovation of the camp facilities is truly a sign of hope and an indication of high level priority accorded the NYSC in the State.
According to her, series of activities ranging from paramilitary drills; citizenship and leadership training; lectures on security; skill acquisition programmes; tradition and culture of the people; among others have been lined up for the Corps Members to participate in. She urged the Corps Members to take the skill acquisition programme seriously, adding that such skills would help them to be self reliant after their service year.
Highlight of the swearing-in ceremony was the taking of oath of Allegiance by 2,200 Corps Members before the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Hon Justice Micheal Edem who was represented by Chief Magistrate Iquo Bassey Ekanem.
Esther Okoi
Writes from Calabar
