By Tony Adibe
The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has given directive for the immediate rehabilitation of the dilapidated National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in the state.
Governor directed that the deplorable camp should be given a quick face-lift with modern facilities and other social amenities, including the drilling of two industrial boreholes to enable access to clean water, rehabilitation of the road linking the camp to Awgu town, rehabilitation of toilet facilities, roof leakage remedial works, among others.
Governor Mbah, who disclosed this at Awgu Town while declaring open the 2023 Batch “B” Stream 2 Orientation Course on Friday, also approved the sum of ₦5 million as additional funding for the feeding of the corps members who would be undergoing a series of trainings and courses for the next three weeks at the camp.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Governor Mbah said the scheme would, in addition to the infrastructural rehabilitation, receive a donation of transformers from the state, adding that directive had been given for the clearing of 6 kilometres power line through Awgu, Mmaku, Obeagu to Achi community in Oji River LGA of the state as a way of restoring power to the camp.
Mbah, while also charging the corps members to surpass the records of their predecessors in terms of their contributions to the growth of the communities where they would be posted, assured them that his administration would continue to be youth-friendly by providing enabling grounds, trainings, and empowerment programmes for them to thrive and realise their dreams.
He urged them to freely integrate with their host communities, participate in their development efforts and “exhibit the highest degree of loyalty, dedication, discipline and commitment to national ideals” of the scheme. While urging the corps members to seize the opportunity of serving in the state to visit some of the best tourist attractions in the country which are located in the state, the governor said their safety would continue to be assured as the state is known for peace.
Earlier at the ceremony, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena commended the governor for his efforts in ensuring the return of security and normalcy in the state, saying that the state is peaceful under the present administration. He added that the presence of the governor at the function was a manifestation of the governor’s regards for them.
The Chief Judge, who was also represented by Justice A.O Onovo, further charged the new corps members to uphold the torch given to them with integrity and conduct acceptable to the society. He urged them to shun drugs and anything that would put their character to question even as he reminded them that the society was looking up to them to show the way.
On her part, the State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama appreciated the state government for its intervention and assistance in subsidizing the feeding of the corps members in camp.
Adama said that the facilities in the NYSC camp were old, worn out and dilapidated as the ones still in use were stretched to the limit, bearing in mind that it was the oldest camp in the whole federation.
She added that 1,075 males and 1,270 females corps members registered for the scheme with total number of 2, 345 corps members for the programme.
