The Director Corps Welfare and Health Services Department, NYSC NDHQ, Mr Omotade Ayodele Benjamin has inspired the 2023 Batch B Stream 2 Corps Members to acquire skills and Excel in them.

The entry of Mr. Omotade Ayodele to the Multipurpose Hall of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede on Tuesday, was heralded by lively performances from the Band and a cultural dance by one of the platoons on Camp, accompanied by heartfelt tributes highlighting his hometown connections.

Omotade, addressing the NYSC Members, expressed gratitude for the shared identity among Corps Members across different NYSC Camps, emphasizing unity and a common purpose. He led the hall in a spirited song that resonated with enthusiastic claps and harmonious unity, all geared towards raising the morale of the Corps Members and preparing them to recieve his words of encouragement and wisdom.

Speaking to the assembly, Omotade extended congratulations to Corps Members from various institutions and commended the camp's exceptional cleanliness. He stressed that effective leadership transcends age and centers around values such as discipline, diligence, and value addition.

Underscoring the significance of the year-long opportunity ahead, he encouraged Corps Members to make the most of their time by adding value to themselves and their host communities. He highlighted the transformative potential of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development lectures and emphasized the importance of turning knowledge into practical skills.

Omotade also addressed safety and security, emphasizing the role of Corps Members in ensuring their own well-being within their respective host communities. He charged them to steer clear of vices and rather embrace virtues ensuring they leave their host communities better than they met it. He further urged the Corps Members to refrain from unnecessary travelling and settle down to business in their various places of primary assignment.

Omotade, speaking on relocation, highlighted reasons why Corps Members should settle down in the state of their deployment and not be in a hurry to relocate. He told them to see their deployment as an act of God and to resist the urge to lie in order to secure a relocation. According to him, they should not be in a hurry to remove themselves from the will of God as they do not know what God has in store for them in the State of their deployment.

As a testament to his commitment, he awarded cash prizes to outstanding groups including the QuarterGuard, Cultural Dance Team, Band, and the OBS. He symbolically supported the Camp's carnival festivities by donating a fat cow.

The event was concluded by the Corps Camp Director's vote of thanks, emphasizing the importance of the discussions and the empowerment they had witnessed.

The State Coordinator, Mr. Agbor Ndoma Obim earlier in his brief welcomed the Director to the ongoing Orientation Course. He provided an in-depth overview of Camp proceedings, encompassing the swearing-in ceremony, security measures, transport allowances paid to Corps Members, and the collaborative partnership with Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital.

He also acknowledged the joyous birth of a baby boy to a Corps Member, named after the Director General of NYSC by the Couple. He highlighted some of the renovations undertaken by the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke and the ongoing construction work at the uncompleted hostel built by one of his predecessor, Mr Attah. He informed the Director that the hostel will be completed soon and ready for Commissioning.

The State Coordinator took the Director on a guided Inspection of Camp facilities.

Meanwhile, Omotade had also charged Members of staff and heads of collaborating agencies to strive to make their contributions in their sphere. He stated that NYSC as a Scheme that makes things happen provides a platform for people to impact lives and add value to their own lives as well.

Omotade emphasised on the need for self development as civil servants saying that staff should not feel too big to learn from even their surbodinates as no flippant leader succeeds in life. He urged the officials to be committed to the welfare of the Corps Members in their care as their work is hinged on the existence of the Corps Members.

"Without the Corps Members there can be no NYSC. Therefore be committed to three things: the welfare of Corps Members, Welfare of Corps Members and the Welfare of Corps Members", he said.