49 NYSC Members Face Sanctions In Rivers …As 3,118 Pass Out

L-R: Managing Director, Acp Nigeria Ltd, Abiola Ojo-Osagie, co-founder and Managing Director, Alitheia Capital,Tokunboh Ishmael, Chief Executive Officer, African Capital Alliance, Mr Okey Enelamah and Chief Executive Officer, African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (Avca), Michelle Essome, at the 11th annual Avca Conference in Lagos last Thursday. Photo: NAN

A total of 3,118 members of the Batch A in the Rivers State Directorate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) passed out yesterday in Port Harcourt.
State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Josephine Okuongue, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen during the passing out parade, said that five youth corps members died during the period, while 49 corps members had their services extended for various offences.
Okuongue said that the scheme faced some challenges such as irregular payment of state allowances to corps members which has run into arrears, amongst others.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the outgoing corps members for their high level of patriotism and commitment to national development.
The president whose address was read by the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, expressed optimism that the service year had fully equipped them to contribute to the development of the nation.
“Whatever your goals and ambitions are the education and experience you have acquired during this year of national service have equipped you sufficiently to succeed in life and make productive contributions to our country”, he said.
He said that various programmes have been introduced under the Transformation Agenda to encourage Nigerian youths develop entrepreneurship skills that enhance self reliance.
“Skill acquisition centres for youths, SURE-P soft loans for young enterpreneurs, YouWin programme and others are all efforts by the Federal Government to challenge your potentials for self actualization”, he added.
The President, therefore, urged them to explore and take advantage of these value re-orientation and wealth creation programmes, including the fresh opportunities that exist in agriculture to improve themselves.
President Jonathan also charged the outgoing NYSC members to be part of history by striving to build a nation that is genuinely united and economically viable.