NYSC boss advises corps members to be master of their life

The Director of Corps Welfare & Health Services, Mr. Ayodele Folorunso Benjamin Omotade, has admonished Corps Members on the need to be masters of their lives by controlling what engages their attention and energies. He also urged them to be law-abiding citizens by conducting themselves within the ambits of the law during the one year national service and beyond. He reminded them on the need to render committed and patriotic service, saying, “the embodiment of your personality and success achieved in life will not be measured in the quantum of material resource gathered but in the number of lives touched by your services”.

He gave this admonition on Tuesday 30th April, 2024 while addressing the 2024 Batch 'A' Stream II Corps Members deployed to Edo State at Multi - Purpose Hall of the NYSC Edo State Permanent Orientation Camp, Okada.

To achieve this and avoid consequences therefrom, he advised that they should be conversant with the tenets of the NYSC Scheme as well as guage their activities with the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Law, the NYSC Act and all other periodic instructions that would be handed out to them from time to time by the authorities.

Speaking further, he charged them to be security conscious at all times. “In this direction, there is the need for you to complement efforts of the NYSC Management by not engaging in activities that may endanger and expose your lives to risks. I must disabuse your minds from falling into temptation of embarking on unnecessary journeys, participation in clandestine activities and many other vices that plague our contemporary society “

Mr. Omotade, urged them to use their hands to create wealth by participating fully and actively in all the programmes, of the orientation course, especially the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) training. He said, “it will be a shame that after the service year, you will go back home to be liabilities to your parents who have made enormous sacrifices to provide you quality education and armed you with reliable means of survival”.

Furthermore, he charged them on cultivating meaningful and rewarding relationships in line with time-tested objectives of the NYSC of promoting national unity and national integration.

Speaking further, he advised them to explore areas of felt needs in host communities and through constructive mobilization and engagements, seek to better their host communities than they met them. This he said, towing this line of action could earn them a reward at the end of service year and thereby pave the way for better and brighter opportunities in life.

He warned them against being slothful about their health care needs while encouraging them to always seek proper medical attention. “You are so exceptional because government has paid for your health care needs under the NYSC-NHIA GIFSHIP-n initiative which guarantees free medical treatment for all corps members nationwide “, he said.

Earlier in her situation report to visiting Director, the State Coordinator, Mrs Ifeoma Ben-Ushie, said the corps members have been of good conduct and that all camp officials have been working in harmony with others in the camp community. She also reported that the State Government have been supportive of their activities and programmes since the commencement of camp.


There were various presentations made by different corps groups namely: Dance troupe, Man 'O' War and Cheer Leaders.

In appreciation of the warm reception, the Director made presentation cash gifts to; Quarter Guard, Dance Troupe, Cheer Leaders, Man 'O' War, Orientation Broadcasting Service Crew, Over-all Parade Commander, three Corps Camp Directors and Platoons 1 - 10 to mention but a few.

Later on, he held brief meeting with camp officials, where he listened to issues and concerns that were brought to his attention. He however, admonished them to be law abiding, take their health and security seriously, and above, be loyal to the scheme.

As part of his primary duties as the number one Corps Welfare Officer, the Director paid a unscheduled courtesy and thank you visit to the Management of Igbienedion University Teaching Hospital who has for many years been providing health services to Edo State camp community during Orientation Courses. Reacting, to the visit, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Godwin Nosathare Bazuaye appreciated Mr. A.F. Omotade for his kind gesture, which he said, was symbolic and significant. The Director was accompanied on the visit by the State Coordinator, 2024 Batch 'A' Stream II Camp Director, amongst others.

FTC.