Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has urged corps members newly deployed to the state to use the power of education to obliterate all forms of ethnic and religious bigotry so as to interact freely with their colleagues from other parts of the country.
Governor Alia gave this charge Friday during the opening ceremony of 2023 Batch B Stream II orientation course for National Youth Service Corps members held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Wannune in Tarka local government area of Benue State.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr Dr Sam Ode, mni, he described education as a veritable tool that can be used to eliminate ethnic, tribe, religion and class dichotomy noting that the mandatory national assignment which brought them together from different socio-cultural, educational and religious background also gives them a rare opportunity to interact with fellow corps members from other parts of the country unhindered.
"I urge you to use the power of your education to shun all forms of ethnicity and religious bigotry, interact freely with your colleagues from other parts of the country and in that process establish friendships that will last a life time.
"I wish to remind you that education is a force that erases divisions of ethnicity, tribe, religion or class, and I want you to count it a great privilege to be part of the NYSC scheme", he stated.
He further advised them to use the scheme to showcase their intelect, creativity and ingenuity in contributing their quota to nation building with unreserved loyalty and dedication.
The Governor who said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the security and safety of corps members in the state, welcomed them to the food basket of the nation the land with very hospitable and highly accommodating people.
He further appreciated the leadership of the NYSC, the State Coordinator and his entire staff as well as collaborative agencies on the camp for their tireless effort, dedication and bravery, assuring that his administration will continue to support the scheme in all its activities in the state.
In his opening remark, the NYSC State Coordinator, Abe Dankaro Ashumate said "on assumption of office, the Executive Governor of the state, His Excellency, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has proven to be a beacon of hope to the scheme and a fulcrum of support for corps members".
He stressed that the Governor had demonstrated unprecedented support for the scheme when he reintroduced and upgrade the payment of state montly allowance to corps members which was practically dead for a long time adding that this benevolent act had started yielding fruits as the number of corps members deployed to the state for the Batch B Stream II orientation course has risen to 2,282, the highest number ever deployed in the last ten years.
The State Coordinator who said the sudden surge in the number is an indication that more people are willing to come to Benue also emphasized that the Governor's visit of last month to the camp will continue to be a memorable one.
The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, ably represented by Justice J.N.Shishi administered the oath of commitment and loyalty to the Batch B Stream II corps members.
Ior Ikyereve
Deputy Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor,
Office of the Deputy Governor
Photo credit: Desmond Oogwu
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