Olukayode Babalola
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has urged National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the state to take advantage and utilize the abundant natural resources in the state.
Sule stated this at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Batch A Stream II orientation exercise for corps members deployed to the state for national service in Keffi local government area on Tuesday.
Sule represented by Mr Yakubu Kwanta Nasarawa state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development congratulated the corps members for achieving a hitch free orientation exercise and urged them to carry the torch of inspiration as they step into the next phase of the service year.
He then informed them that Nasarawa state possesses vast agrarian lands fertile for cultivation and huge amounts of mineral resources hence the need for them to take advantage of the resources to develop and make themselves self reliant and economically vibrant.
“Nasarawa state is agrarian in nature blessed with fertile lands suitable for cultivation of different crops for both domestic consumption and export. Similarly, the state is blessed with not less than 90 percent of mineral resources found in Nigeria.
“As you will be posted to your various communities, therefore, it is my hope and expectation that you will appreciate the abundant resources in our various localities by utilizing the opportunity to develop them and make yourself economically vibrant,” he said.
The governor lauded the Corps members for their patriotism, dedication, passion and unwavering spirit in the service to their fatherland.
“In the past few weeks I have been informed of the incredible resilience and spirit of service that define each of of you. As you prepare to spread your wings and embrace the diverse landscapes of our great state, remember the values instilled in you during this orientation,” he said.
Sule assured them that the experiences shared, friendship forged and lessons learned during the orientation will serve as the foundation for an impactful service year ahead.
“Embrace the communities you are called to serve, for in their stories you will find the true essence of your purpose. Be the ambassadors of hope, the catalysts for progress and the advocates for a better tomorrow,” he urged them.
The governor who assured the corps members of his administration’s statutory responsibility to their welfare, security and general well-being urged them to embrace their postings in good faith as they have been done in line with the posting policy of the scheme and the felt needs of the state.
In her remarks, Mrs Salamatu Muhammad, Coordinator of the scheme in the state congratulated the 2335 corps members for conducting themselves properly during the three-weeks orientation exercise.
“Over the past three weeks, these corps members have participated in drills, lectures, value orientation, sports, leadership training and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program-equipping them with skills for self reliance,” she said.
Muhammad urged the corps members to approach the one year service with humility, selflessness and be positive ambassadors of their families, the NYSC and the nation.
The NYSC state coordinator who then appealed to corps employers to accept and mentor corps members posted to the establishments, ensuring their welfare also called on state and local authorities as well as traditional and religious leaders to support corps members in their service.
She also appreciated the state governor for his unwavering support and thanked him for the progress on the construction of the new Multi purpose hall project at the orientation camp. (NAN)