Parents of corps members have been urged to keep away from the NYSC orientation camp for the 21 days of their stay. Chairman, NYSC Governing Council, Lagos State, Dr Wale Ahmed made this appeal during the swearing-in of 2013 Batch ‘B’ corps members held at Ipaja orientation ground, Lagos.

According to Ahmed, the call has become necessary to allow for full concentration and participation of corps members in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development geared towards self sustenance after their service year.

”Members of the public especially parents and relations should keep away from the orientation camp and allow corps members concentrate on the activities designed for a very successful orientation course.”

Ahmed who urged the 2151 corps members to take all activities during the 21 days seriously, equally tasked them to maintain a high standard of discipline.

Speaking in the same vein, Governor Babatunde Fashola in his address charged the corps members to take very seriously the numerous lectures and other programmes organised by the NYSC. He said; “I am aware that the orientation course content has been expanded to include skills acquisition and training.” He reiterated that the lectures are meant to equip them with requisite skills that will be needed in the nearest future, and as a means of avoiding the scourge of graduate unemployment.

Affirming his confidence in the corps members, Fashola said; “As agents of change and development, the state is looking up to you for physical transformation and technological ideas that will add to the socio-economic development in our rural health scheme, educational sector, combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS, poverty and other challenges bedevilling our society.”

According to him, the service year comes with great expectations from host communities stressing that as the immediate beneficiaries of their service, much will be expected of them.

On nation building,Fashola, whose speech was read by Dr Wale Ahmed stated that it is a collective effort of Nigerians and the corps members to be ready to face challenges that come with it. He, however, assured them that his administration has put everything in place to guarantee their security.

On her part, NYSC coordinator, Lagos State, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi noted that the orientation course is aimed at instilling in corps members leadership qualities of perseverance, diligence, dedication, determination, loyalty, integrity and zeal. Others include; courage, self-reliance, discipline of mind as well as ability to live amicably. with others under any circumstance.