Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on Corps members serving in the state to be agents of peace even as they seek ways to influence their host communities positively.
Gov. Ortom made the call at the closing ceremony of the three-week orientation scheme for corps members at the NYSC camp in Wannune in Tarka local government area of the state.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mrs. Ladi Ajene-Isegbe, expressed joy at the conduct of the corp members throughout their orientation course especially their demonstrated high level of committment and active participation in all camp activities while integrating freely among yourselves.
Ortom, who applauded the state coordinator, his management team and other camp officials for their exemplary leadership and care for the youths, admonished them to be diligent in carrying out the assignment that will be given to them.
He said “we are ushering you into the next phase of the service year which is the primary assignment. The second phase runs concurrently with community development service, the third phase of your service year. These next two phases are the most crucial and most demanding segments of your national service.
“They are periods you are expected to give back to the society by dispensing intellectual and humanitarian services selflessly to members of your host communities with the aim of adding value to their lives and ameliorating their plights”.
Ortom also urged the corp members not to entertain any fear as adequate measures have been put in place for their security and safety in the state, pledging to assist them in executing their identified projects successfully.
Ortom who declared the camp officially closed added that the state government was aware of the existing challenges and need for construction of a new multipurpose hall in the camp, assuring that arrangement has been concluded for work to start immediately after the orientation course.
The state NYSC coordinator, Mr. Joshua Shicha, thanked the state government for assuring that work will commence on the multipurpose hall at the camp soon.
