Full Text of Gov Abiodun’s Speech At The Swearing-In-Ceremony of The NYSC 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 Held At Gateway International Stadium Sagamu

Protocols,

1. As you are all aware, and also reiterated a while ago by the state Coordinator, the National Youth Service Corps is a symbol of unity, diversity, and nation-building. It provides a platform for young Nigerians from different backgrounds and cultures to come together, learn from each other, and work towards a common goal of national development. Your willingness to serve in communities that may be unfamiliar to you, demonstrates your selflessness and patriotism.
2. May I, on behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, welcome you all to this auspicious occasion marking the commencement of your one-year mandatory service to the nation as good citizens of this great nation?
3. I have no doubt that the experiences and challenges you will encounter during your service year will shape you in profound ways, fostering personal growth, resilience, and empathy. Embrace these experiences with an open heart and mind, as they will not only enrich your own lives but also empower you to make positive impacts in the lives of others.
4. As you take your oath of service today, I urge each and every one of you to uphold the core values of the NYSC programme: unity, service, and humility. Remember that you are not just representatives of your respective states and schools but ambassadors of a united Nigeria. Let your actions speak louder than words, and let your service be a testament to the spirit of volunteerism and dedication.

5.The communities you are about to serve in Ogun State, as well as those deployed to Lagos but holding their orientation camp in Ogun State, will benefit immensely from your contributions, whether in education, healthcare, infrastructure development, or community participation. Your presence will not only provide hope and aid, but will also encourage goodwill and understanding among people from different walks of life.

6. As you embark on this journey, remember that you have the power to shape the future of our nation for the better.
7. Let me also seize this moment to commend the management and staff of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for their continued efforts in sustaining the goal of this scheme since its inception in 1973. You have remained committed not only to giving the Corps members directions but also to matters pertaining to their welfare, hospitability, and wellbeing.
8. I also commend our dear Corps members for their perseverance, discipline, diligence, and cooperation with Camp officials over the decades, and I strongly believe that this batch will leave even better records. What you’ll be taken through in the next 3 weeks has been designed to make you more informed, physically and mentally fit for the journey of the next one year, in different parts of Ogun State that you will be posted to, for the service of your father land.
9. Gentlemen Corps members, I want to assure you all that the people of Ogun State are very hospitable and caring. Therefore, you should feel at home and integrate into the various communities that you will be posted to serve. I give you my words that your entire service year and even beyond will be a very memorable one in Ogun State.
10. On our part as government, our administration has provided the necessary ambience for you to have a peaceful and rewarding service year. We will continue to evolve strategic methods for mapping out a direction for future growth and expansion of the socio-economic well-being of our dear state, as encapsulated in our administration’s “Building Our Future Together” agenda.
11. At this point, I enjoin you to make Ogun State your home by not rejecting your posting to any part of the state after your three weeks here. I also urge employers of labour not to reject any corps member posted to them in line with our policy of optimal human resource utilisation. The employers should also provide an enabling atmosphere for the corps members to fully express themselves in terms of service to their host communities.
12. Let me assure you that we have created a peaceful and serene atmosphere conducive for carrying out your daily activities. You should, therefore, feel free and cooperate with the NYSC officials and men of the collaborating agencies who will be taking you through the course. Once again, I commend the State Coordinator mrs Olayinka Nasamu Diana and members of staff of the NYSC, as well as the collaborating agencies, for their wonderful records in the past camps, as I have no doubt that they will deliver yet another hitch-free orientation course.
13. Distinguished colleagues in National Service, ladies and gentlemen, I hereby formally declare the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 Orientation Course OPEN, to the glory of God, the development of our nation, and in the interest of continued socio-economic development of Ogun State.
14. I wish you all a wonderful and memorable stay in camp and in the state of great men and mind. The state of great Obafemi Awolowo, the State of Late MKO Abiola, Profossor Wole Soyinka, Olusegun Obasanjo to mention but a few.
15. I thank you all for listening, and God bless.

“Igbega Ipinle Ogun, Ajose Gbogbo wa ni o”

Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, Governor of Ogun State,

Nigeria.Tuesday, February 20, 2024