The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun Oyetunji has eulogised the National Youth Service Corps for the role it plays in training the graduate youths and instiling in them respect for other cultures and traditions through their deployment to States other than their State of Origin.
He said that the deployment of the members to regions and States other than theirs over the years is a clear indication that the Scheme has not lost its relevance and essence. According to him, matters of the Scheme therefore are of national importance and requires utmost diligence and attention.
Oba Jimoh said this when the State Coordinator, Mrs Olayinka Abdulwahab paid him a visit in his Palace in Osogbo on Wednesday.
Oba Jimoh appreciated the Director General of NYSC, Brig. Gen. MK Fadah and the NYSC members for the role played in the successful conduct of the Gubernatorial election in the State. He commended the NYSC members for comporting themselves in a dignified and patriotic manner as expected of them by the Scheme and INEC.
Oba Jimoh further appreciated Mrs Abdulwahab for deeming it fit to visit the Palace to relay the appreciation of the Director General and also to inform him of the Scheme’s challenges in the State. He assured the State Coordinator of his support and promised to look into the issue of the office space raised by her during the visit.
He agreed that the Scheme needs a bigger space to accommodate the teeming number of Corps Members deployed to the State and therefore said that he will meet with critical stakeholders in the State and also assured the State Coordinator and her team that the issue raised will be treated with utmost urgency.
Earlier, Mrs Olayinka Abdulwahab had appreciated Ọba Jimoh on behalf of the Director General of NYSC and Management of the Scheme for ensuring the security of Corps Members serving in the State capital and the State at large.
Abdulwahab hinted that her visit was to seek royal blessings upon the Scheme and its members and to also express the appreciation of the Scheme for the role played by the Royal Father in securing the lives and properties of Corps Members serving within Osogboland. She said that about half of the population of Corps Members are serving in the Capital and therefore, the Scheme cannot take for granted the role played by HRM in making the Capital a safe and conducive place for members of the Scheme to serve.
Abdulwahab further said that indeed the role of Royal fathers in the State cannot be overemphasised. According to her, the success of the service recorded over the years is all thanks to Almighty God, Royal fathers and other stakeholders of the Scheme in the State. She stated that the peaceful and conducive environment in the State makes it possible for Corps Members to discharge their duties well and impart upon their host communities.
Abdulwahab speaking further informed Ọba Jimoh of the Scheme’s major challenge which is that of having a befitting office space to accommodate the various Branches and Units and also spacious enough to attend to the influx of Corps Members especially during relocation.
“Kabiyesi, I wish to bring to your notice the Scheme’s pressing challenge of lack of a befitting office space to accommodate our number. Kabiyesi, like other parastatals have their headquarters in the Capital, I wish to sincerely appeal to you to help the Scheme retain its headquarters in the Capital.
“we have enough space at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede but we felt it would not be good enough for us to move the Scheme’s headquarters from the Capital to another place since majority of our Corps Members are in the Capital.
” I therefore wish to humbly request Kabiyesi to use his authority and connection to help the Scheme secure a better space for office accommodation within Osogbo”, she said.
The visit had in attendance the Ataoja in Council, the Assistant Director Corps Welfare and Health Services, Alh. Abdulahi Adamu; the Assistant Director PPRU, Mrs Funmi Okundaye; Assistant Director SAED, Mr Aleshinloye Adeniyi; the Assistant Director Corps Inspection and Monitoring, Mrs Adesina Omoboade; Head of PRS, Mrs Adenle Caroline, among others.