Date: 2020-11-17

The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has advised the 2020 Batch 'B' of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to preserve Nigeria's unity, socio-cultural understanding, and religious tolerance.

Governor AbdulRazaq stated this during the swearing-in ceremony of the Stream One Corp Members held at the Orientation Camp, Yikpata in Edu Local Government Area of the state.

He charged the Corp Members to uphold the the tenets of the NYSC.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, explained that most countries are now battling with the second wave of COVID-19 and called for sustainable efforts in the fight against the deadly disease.

"The Coronavirus pandemic during the first wave presented a unique challenge to our existence and cohabitation. While Nigeria did so well in tackling the pandemic in the first wave, I urge us all not to let down our guard as many countries are now going through the second wave of COVID-19."

While congratulating the corp members for the successful completion of their various discipline, he charged them to come up with practical solutions to various challenges in the nation as they commence their national youth service.

"COVID-19 has given us an insight into what the future looks like. It has also told us that our system needs readjustment to survive and flourish. We need to build a new economy and a system that are both flexible, resilient and sustainable. I, therefore, urge you to give a thought to the idea of evolving new solutions to varying challenges you would see".

The Governor expressed his administration's belief in young people's ingenuity, and agility.

He therefore urged participants of the Orientation exercise to avoid actions that may push any negative narrative to their generation.

"At the moment in Kwara, we are building a new economy that helps to give new skills to our young people, hone their existing skills, generate new jobs and tackle mass poverty. That is the agenda of our visual arts centre and innovation hub".

The Commissioner for Youths and Sports and Chairman, NYSC Governing Board in Kwara State, Mrs Joana Kolo charged the participants to make humility, discipline and commitment their watchword, noting that the present administration had placed top priority to the welfare of corps members.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Fransisca Olaleye, on behalf of the Director-General of the Scheme, commended the administration of AbdulRazaq for what she described as a friendly and swift response to the needs of NYSC in the state.

Mrs Olaleye, therefore, solicited for the payment of monthly allowance to corp members especially those serving in the public sectors, saying that it will go a long way motivating them to give their best in their various places of primary assignment.

The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Durosilohun Kawu, who was represented by Justice Adenile . O. Akinpelu administered the oath of allegiance on a total of 583 corps members comprising 284 Male and 299 females.