Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Friday assured the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state of adequate security.
Alia gave the assurance during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Batch C Stream 1 orientation course.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth, Sports Development, and Creativity, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, promised to take good care of the corps members posted to Benue.
He said the NYSC scheme has proven to be a strategic institution for nation-building and national integration and urged them to play their part.
Alia stated that his administration, in conjunction with all security agencies in the state, has put in place giant proactive measures to ensure the safety of all places and residential areas of corps members.
“It is logical that finding yourselves in a strange land would create all sorts of doubt and fear, but I want to assure you that being in Benue State is just home away from home.
“We are aware that you can only achieve the aforementioned tasks comprehensively in an atmosphere of peace. Sadly, our nation is currently bedevilled with some security challenges, and Benue State has not been left out.
“However, let me quickly allay your fears and assure you that, as a government, we are poised to ensure that your security is guaranteed all through your stay in the state.” he said
Earlier, the State Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs Veronica Garba, said the 2024 Batch C Stream 1 orientation programme was organised to prepare corps members adequately for a successful service year.
Garba said the orientation programme was generally packaged to enrich participants with new techniques in the approach of different spheres of life.
She said a total of 1217 members were participating in the current batch.
According to her, highly rich trainings and lectures are put together for their benefit.
She enjoined them to make the best out of this golden opportunity provided by the FG by taking every aspect of the training programme seriously.
“I encourage you to ensure healthy interactions, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, and social backgrounds, in order to foster unity and integration, which is one of the core reasons for the establishment of the NYSC scheme.
“The Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) you will soon be introduced to is one of the highly beneficial programmes put together by NYSC to eradicate joblessness, considering the unending scarcity of white collar jobs in Nigeria.
“I urge you to embrace the programme with all seriousness and commitment with a view to becoming self-employed and employers of labour,” she said.
Garba commended the state government for the payment of a monthly state allowance of N15,000 to other corps members and N100,000 to corps doctors.
The state coordinator said that the state government’s kind gesture has cushioned the effect of hardship on corps members serving in the state.
“May I again thank the governor for coming to our rescue on the challenge of erosion in the camp by awarding a contract for the construction of drainages and a good road network within the camp environment.
“However, it is unfortunate to inform you that the construction work has been slow and the labourers/workers have abandoned the project.
“I appeal to the governor to call the assigned ministry back to camp to complete this very important project,” she said