Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has assured the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state for national service of a well-packaged welfare programme.

Mr Diri made the pledge on Wednesday at the swearing in for the 2024 Batch A, Stream 1 corps members at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Boro Town, Bayelsa.

The governor was represented by the permanent secretary, ministry of youths and sports development, Grace Alagoa.

While welcoming the corps members to Bayelsa, Mr Diri reiterated the government’s commitment to their security and welfare as well as continued support to the management of the scheme to achieve its objectives.

Mr Diri commended the founders of NYSC and successive administrations for sustaining the scheme.

He described the scheme as the champion of national unity and integration, while expressing optimism that with the corps members, the labour of the heroes past shall not be in vain.

“I have always said that corps members are the hope of our nation as you represent the most educated, exposed and enlightened segment of youths in Nigeria.

“Other youths, including tertiary, secondary students as well as primary school pupils are looking up to you to provide quality leadership and mentorship that will transform Nigeria. You cannot afford to fail Nigeria,” he said.

He challenged them to emulate their predecessors who meritoriously served the nation in Bayelsa by effectively discharging their duties in various places of primary and secondary assignments.

The Bayelsa coordinator of NYSC, Charity Okpalifo, congratulated the governor on the recent successful swearing-in, to mark his second term in office.

According to her, the NYSC appreciates the governor, government and the good people of Bayelsa for the clear demonstration of support to the service corps in the state.

She said that the corps members were optimistic that the completion of the ongoing hostels construction would greatly address accommodation on the camp and increase the number of corps members that would be deployed to the state.

She advised the corps members to take the orientation course seriously, adding that careful and deliberate programmes had been designed to adequately prepare and equip them for optimum performance during and after the service year.

“During the course of this exercise, you will undergo drills, physical training, leadership training, lectures on various topics of national importance, skills acquisition training, among others,” she said.

 (NAN)