UDUAGHAN CHARGES CORPS MEMBERS TO HELP SUSTAIN DEMOCRACY
Members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch 'C' serving in Delta State have been urged to be part of the vanguard for the sustenance of democracy. Addressing the corps members at their formal swearing -in at Isseleuku, Aniocha North Local Government Area Governor Emmnanuel Uduaghan said. 'At this moment of our national history , development and democratic governance, I appeal to you to be part of the vanguard for the sustenance of our won democracy .
Democracy and its ethos demand from us , a spirit of give and take , a spirit of patience, tolerance, and dialogue . Understanding and allowing those who hold contrary opinions to have their say are also vital to building consensus in a heterogeneous society such as Nigeria . We should all be ready therefore to make supreme sacrifices if we must enjoy the full dividends of democratic governance.
Uduaghan, who was represented by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Hope Eghagha, told the corps members that it is their responsibility as future leaders to help salvage this country , and be ready to eliminate ethnicity, religious and political bigotry and some social vices.
'In order to realize the fulfillment of our collective aspirations as a people, we should be ready to eliminate ethnicity, religious and political bigotry, corruption and other unpatriotic vices which hitherto hindered our progress.
'You should therefore strive to see the period of the service as that of understanding and appreciating the cultural values of fellow Nigerians among who you are going to serve. You should be able to do away with whatever negative opinions or fears you held before now about your host community.
'I implore you to see the period of your orientation and induction course which began a few days ago as another significant period designed to instill some discipline and the spirit of national fellowship in you . The period is designed to accelerate national development and unity through the inculcation of the virtues of humility, sacrifice, and dedicated service to the nation and its people
As youths you have been described as the leaders of tomorrow. Leadership confers upon you the responsibility and mandate to initiate ideas and policies aimed at achieving set goals and objectives geared towards national cohesion and integration capable of lifting our dear country to nobler and greater heights.
Your orderly conduct and comportment at the orientation camp so far, bears testimony of your genuine determination to render meaningful and selfless services to the people of Delta State and indeed , Nigeria . It is therefore important that you apply yourselves fully to the physical , psychological and cultural training , which you will be subjected to during the orientation programme.
In her address, the Chairman, NYSC Delta State Governing Board, Dame Beatrice Omeni assured the corps members that with the firm support of the State governor, that the Board had left no stone unturned in making sure that the Corps members had a conducive atmosphere in camp for a successful orientation. She urged the Corps members to take every aspect of the exercise seriously , as they would later stand to gain.
Speaking , the State NYSC Co ordinator, Mr. Mgbemena Chris Kanayochukwu said that the Batch ' C ' Corps members which number about 1, 600 , started their orientation programme on the 26th of October and that their activities on camp are done on participatory basis . 'Virtually all activities on this camp are being done on participatory basis . Corps members under the close watch of camp officials will participate in the various camp activities , their level of participation will be evaluated , rewarded, at the end of the camp and will be followed up through out the service year gain of the State.'