From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Taraba State NYSC coordinator, Mr. Ella Aji Williams on Tuesday urged Corps members posted to serve in Taraba State not to travel beyond 6:00 pm.
Williams advised the corps members that should they be on the road by that time, they should approach the nearest military or police barracks, or any NYSC formation for accommodation.
The coordinator gave the advice during the closing ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘A’ stream II orientation course at Sibere permanent orientation camp in Ardo-kola Local Government Area of the State.
Williams admonished them not to board vehicles by the roadside, but rather go to designated motor-parks in order to ensure their safety.
“I wish to reiterate management travel advice to the Corps Members against embarking on night travel. You are required to eschew night voyages.
“Endeavor to break your journey once it is six in the evening. Available locations for you to pass the night include police stations, military barracks, and any close NYSC secretariat or orientation camp. I commit you all in the hands of the Almighty God as you begin your journey to your respective destinations.
“My dear Corps Members, as you commence the next phase of the Cardinal programmes of the scheme, I enjoin you all to make good use of the training and knowledge acquired from the orientation course and make positive changes in the lives of the people you will meet in your respective host communities, using the tools of the SAED and CDS programmes of the scheme.
“It is expected that you will make painstaking efforts to learn, unlearn, understand, and respect the ways, cultures, and traditions of the people of your host communities. Feel free to relate with them without fear or hindrance.
“You are required to look inward to identify their challenges or areas of need and make an impact to solve these needs using the tool of the Community Development Service programme”, he said.
Speaking at the occasion, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas expressed his readiness to ensure that corps member’s welfare are taken care of appropriately.
Represented by the State Secretary to the Government (SSG), Chief Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps, Kefas reminded them of the scheme programmes which include orientation course, primary assignment/community development service, and winding-up and passing-out exercise.
“let me reassure you of my administration’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all corps members serving in the state. We will always ensure that we assist the scheme in realizing its targeted goals and objectives. I want to equally direct all corps employers not to reject the services of these corps members but should ensure that they provide accommodation to them in a bid to enable them to settle down and deliver their services to the good people of the state.
“I must add without equivocation that the NYSC scheme has played a key role in this regard. The scheme through your predecessors has played a great role in the accelerated development of the nation in general and Taraba State in particular. I, therefore entreat you to use this time and period to contribute your quota to the socio-economic development of your immediate host community and the Nation at large.
“We are aware of the issue of electricity supply in the camp which affects the supply of water. The ministry of Youths and Sports Development is now directed to come up with a memo for the installation of solar-power system to take care of this critical problem immediately”, he directed
