The Rivers State Government says plans are underway to improve the welfare of corps members serving in the state.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike disclosed this while declaring open the orientation camp exercise for the 2017 batch “A”stream II corps members at the National Youths Service Corps, permanent orientation camp in Nonwa/Gbam in Tai Local Government of the State over the weekend.
Governor Wike re-stated the commitment of the state government to continue to support the management and the governing board of the NYSC in the state through various skills acquisition programmes.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government who doubles as the state chairman of NYSC governing board, Hon Kenneth Kobani, the governor said, his administration was committed to ensuring that their service in the state would be a rewarding moment, adding that by the time the government rolls out its plan, they would not regret serving in the state.
The state chief executive urged them to exhibit a sense of patriotism during their service in the state by shunning every form of cultism, religious intolerance  and other anti-social activities that are detrimental to the development of the state and society at large. “I implore you to shun cultism, religious intolerance and other anti-social activities. Ensure you uphold the oath of your office by being patriotic to your fatherland.  See your service as a mark of honour and hard work to serve your country. Relate freely well with your colleagues and host communities. On our part, we are committed to providing security, protection and improved welfare”, he stated.
Governor  Wike however, while congratulating the about 2,358 corps members on their academic feats as  well as their parents, remarked that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established to restructure and cushion the plights of  Nigerians as well as to promote reintegration among Nigerians after the Civil War.
According to him, the scheme has contributed immensely to the development of the country, adding that they should emulate and imbibe the spirit of oneness exhibited by their predecessors who served in the state and embarked on community development projects in their various areas of primary assignment.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Special Duties in the office of secretary to the State Government, Dr George Nweke who represented the SSG on the occasion thanked the State Government for its support to the scheme in the state.
He assured them of their security and protection and urged them to expose themselves to the abundant heritage in the state.