Yemisi Izuora
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State has assured all Corps Members that would be deployed to the State for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Service Year, of fruitful and blissful experience.
He also sympathised with the NYSC family over the recent looting of some of its Orientation Camps by hoodlums.
Mr Lalong stated this in Jos while declaring open the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Pre – Orientation Workshop with theme; ” Evolving A Dynamic Operational Strategy In The Management of Camps In The Context of COVID – 19.”
He remarked that the workshop has provided a forum for critical stakeholders to appraise the performance of the NYSC previous Orientation Exercises with a view to strengthening the upcoming ones.
Governor Lalong commended NYSC Management for its active support to the Government in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining that it is a worthwhile venture.
“The Scheme opened its Orientation Camps across the country as quarantine and isolation centres. Here in Plateau State, the Orientation Camp in Mangu was very helpful in our battle against the virus.
I appeal to everyone to avoid complacency in observing COVID-19 protocols.
I also urge NYSC Management to continue with the Entrepreneurship Development Training for Corps Members as it is a gateway to self reliance “, Mr Lalong said.
The Governor urged the workshop participants to strategise towards ensuring the safety of the incoming Corps Members.
In his welcome address, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim disclosed that as a dynamic organisation that is committed to excellence, the Scheme is poised to address emerging challenges in its preparations for the forthcoming Orientation Exercise.
He added that all its 37 Orientation Camps have been prepared and remodelled in line with approved COVID-19 safety protocols.
“We will further evolve strategies that will, among other things, guarantee the safety of Corps Members, camp officials, as well as other members of the camp community throughout the duration of the Orientation Course”, General Ibrahim said.
He further stated that all camp participants for the 2020 Batch “B” Orientation Course would be tested for COVID-19.
“I also express our immense gratitude to the NCDC for the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth millions of Naira for usage in the Orientation Camps which will enhance the success of our collective efforts towards ensuring the safe conduct of the Orientation Course”, the DG concluded.