The Hon Minister of Youth and Sports Barr Solomon Dalung yesterday conducted a one-day inspection visit to the Tsafe Permanent Orientation Camp in Zamfara State as part of his effort at obtaining first hand knowledge on the welfare and security of corpers across the country.
The Minister who was ushered into the camp with high jubilation by Corpers, first inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by the 2016 Batch A Corp Members after which he was conducted round the Camp by the State Coordinator of the NYSC and the state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development Strategy.
Facilities inspected include the Medical Clinic, Male and Female Hostels, power house, mummy market and bore holes that supplied water to the camp. The Minister also met with the heads of Military and Para-Military organizations that see to the training and provision of security for the men and women in national service.
Addressing the NYSC members, Barr Dalung announced that a new ambulance with ancillary medical facilities will be provided without delay. In addition, a bigger stand-by generator that will improve light in the camp and upgrading of facility at the kitchen is to be undertaken.
The Minister also assured them of the determination of the present Government of President Buhari to tackle headlong the serious youth unemployment problem and other youth development challenges facing our country today; and urged them to keep faith with the present “Government of Change” that is poised to ensure that Nigerian Youth are giving adequate attention and involvement as leaders of tomorrow
The Minister admonished them not to be deterred by the present harsh economic condition caused by failure of past Goverment to adequately address the problems of youth but added that hard times don’t last but focused people do. “Don’t be discouraged. Destiny can be delayed but not denied. Perseverance is an attribute of leadership. Today’s imposition on youth is temporary; and with collective resolved we will be victorious. Time is now ripe to unbundle the potentials of the youth, you have to be trained. Surrender yourself to best training” he advised.
The Minister who used his life experience as guide informed his audience that he personally worked to finance his university education and that his Law Course which ordinarily should take 5 years took him 9 yearst to complete; no thanks to ASUU incessant strikes then, but he refused to be discouraged. He them admonished the youth that if he can succeed then any other person can also succeed as he is not a super human being.
The Minister who said the future belongs to our youth however said that youth should be focused,
determined and shun negative tendencies like alcoholism, drug addiction, cultism and the passion to get rich quick .
determined and shun negative tendencies like alcoholism, drug addiction, cultism and the passion to get rich quick .
The Minister did not forget to commend the vision and patriotism o the founding fathers of the NYSC saying the scheme is the foremost leadership training in our country today; giving the assurance that the Government will do all it can to support and improve on the scheme.
Welcoming the Minister to the camp, the State Coordinator informed the Minister that 1,527 corners are presently undergoing orientation in the 2016 Batch A; that the corpers are well behaved and adapting favorably well.
Tolu Makinde
Director (Press)
