₦airaland Forum

Wednesday was a day of joy for members of platoon 2 and l0 at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Ede as their respective platoons came out top in the just concluded dance and drama competition.

The Head of Socials, Mrs. Olawale Veronica Olusola, who announced the results expressed her gratitude at the level of cooperation, team spirit and dedication put into the competition by the corps members.

Furthermore, she highlighted the relevance of participating in the social activities and urged them to continue to play their part in ensuring the liveliness of the camp.

She congratulated all the members of the ten platoons for performing so well in social activities, including the dance and drama. However, she stated that a winner must emerge hence the need for the results.

In the drama competition, for the top three, platoon 10 came 1st, platoon 8 second, whilst platoon 3 came third.

For the inter-platoon cultural dance competition, platoon 2, 8 and 7 came first, second and third respectively.

She concluded by admonishing the Corps Members to always put in their best in all they do throughout their service year.

The State Coordinator of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Osun State Chapter (NIM), Mr. Dagunduro Babatunde, has told the 202l Batch B stream 2 corps members to make themselves valuable and relevant in their desired fields of endeavors.

He made this known at the multipurpose hall of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Ede on Wednesday, where he highlighted the features of professionalism through management, defining it as the future of Nigeria's employment scheme.

In his address, Babatunde enjoined them to be disciplined and engage in every professional training they find to approve themselves as valued, as an ordinary degree alone may not withstand the pressure and competition that exists in the world of jobs.

"Corps Members, being graduates themselves, are already considered as belonging to a professional class. But, what differentiates them from their competitors in the workforce is the extra professional skills they possess and can use to enhance the activities of the civil service or organization," he added.

Mr. Babatunde also outlined other specific skills one has to possess to be considered immensely valuable to the work force, which are linguistic verbal intelligence, mathematical intelligence, a "can-do" spirit, perseverance and accountability, adding that the NIM, since its inception in 1961, has assisted employable individuals, broadening their horizons and aiding the acquisition of these valuable skills, so that they may find a valuable place in the work force.

He conclusively reiterated that the NIM is still working around the clock to ensure that the needed skills are acquired by those willing to have them.

The Schedule Desk Officer Of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Mrs Catherine Otemuyiwa, has enlightened the 202l Batch B, Stream 2 Corps members on FOIA, it's origin, and how it can be used for their advantage.

The lecture took place at the Multi-purpose hall of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, on Wednesday, where she sensitised the Corps Members on the importance of FOIA and how they can leverage on the opportunities that accompany it.

Furthermore, she stated that the FOIA law was signed on the 28th of May 2011. Buttressing her point, she stated that the nucleus of the FOIA is information. She defined the FOIA as the act of making public records available to the public and also granting the public access to the records. She stressed that for every government that wants to experience openness, transparency and accountability which are hallmarks of good governance, it must enshrine the freedom of information law.

Otemuyiwa stated the tenets upon which the freedom of information is hinged, which are: to make public records and information freely available, to give the public the right to access information, to protect some information and to protect whistle blowers, as whistle blowing helps to stamp out corruption.

She also listed some of the 32 sections under FOIA, including access to the records, information about public institutions, request for access to records, time for granting the request of FOIA and some of their exemptions in which certain information such as personal and third party information cannot be released to the public except if the public interest in such records outweighs personal interest or injury which may occur from the release.

In conclusion she encouraged Corps Members to utilize the FOIA and also ensure that the public knows about the act. She also added that Corps Members should enlighten the workers at their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) about the importance of creating and maintaining good records and also enlighten the community about the importance of FOIA.

Mrs Dolapo Ogunsola from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture has enlightened the 202l Batch B stream 2 Corps members on the benefits attached to the agriculture business.

She gave the enlightenment at the multipurpose hall of the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Ede, on Tuesday.

She defined agricbusiness as a form of agriculture that exposes one to the business avenue and does not necessarily requires one to be on the farm.

She noted Agribusiness value chain to consist of Production, Processing, Marketing and Packaging which one can key into depending on one's interest.

Furthermore, she highlighted the fact that agribusiness is lucrative and as such should be harnessed by corps members to enhance their earning capacity.

In conclusion, she stated that Agribusiness can be done concurrently with other jobs. She therefore encouraged everyone never to look down on such openings but make the best out of them.

The Deputy Director Ministry of Education Osun State, Mrs Odewumi earlier this morning addressed the 202l Batch B stream 2 Corps members on the professionalism and nobility of the teaching profession.

While enlightening the corps members on their role in the classroom, she described teaching as a noble profession that requires a lot of commitment and sacrifice. "A teacher is a person whose duty is to teach students to acquire knowledge and is expected to be a counselor to the student".

She further highlighted the qualities of an effective teacher to be: a psychologist, must be able to communicate effectively, must have a friendly attitude, must be patient and take time to prepare and be organised.

Furthermore, she encouraged corps members to comport themselves well in dressing by dressing moderately, obey all lawful instructions, accept official responsibilities to the best of their abilities, and not be involved in examination malpractices and immoral practices with the student, as they are expected to be of a positive influence to the students.

In conclusion, she encouraged all corps members present to be be security conscious at all times.

The Assistant Director Corps Welfare And Health Services NYSC Osun State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has told the 202l Batch B stream 2 Corps Members to take advantage of the health initiatives available in the scheme for their benefit.

Alhaji Adamu educated the Corps Members on the nature and functions of the Branch. He stressed that Corps Welfare is concerned with the wellbeing of Corps Members during the service year. He informed them of ways that they can look after themselves during the service year. He informed them on the healthcare services in camp to which they are entitled to and encouraged them to take advantage of the camp clinic when they are indisposed.

Adamu who addressed the Corps Members at the Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede on Monday, spoke about the concern and commitment of the Branch to Corps Members. He went on to implore Corps Members to avoid unnecessary travels, so as to reduce the possibility of being involved in auto mobile accidents.

Still speaking on health services, he advised Corps Members to take advantage of the health facilities of their PPA during their service year.

On the kinds of leave Corps Members are entitled to, Alhaji Adamu listed, among others, sick leave, maternity leave, examination leave, wedding leave and convocation leave. He explained the steps to be taken by Corps Members applying for leave, highlighting the importance of following them.

He wrapped up the lecture by telling Corps members to not be indifferent to the people at their PPA, but learn their culture, live peacefully with them and be advocators of peace.