A total of 3,125 corps members have successfully completed their national service in Osun State, with the State Coordinator, Mr Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, urging them to embrace discipline, humility, hard work, faith and contentment as they begin life after service.
The Passing-Out Parade (POP), held on Thursday across the state’s 30 local government areas and 1 area office, marked the completion of service for 1,432 male and 1,693 female corps members.
Addressing the outgoing corps members during monitoring visits to Aiyedire and Iwo local government areas, Kubiangha congratulated them on their successful service year and commended their commitment to national development. He described the batch as unique for completing its service year without being divided into streams.
At Aiyedire, the state coordinator led the corps members in songs of praise and thanksgiving prayers, expressing gratitude to God for their successful service year.
He prayed for favourable employment opportunities and encouraged them to remain hopeful and steadfast despite the limited availability of white-collar jobs.
The Chairman of Aiyedire Local Government, Hon. Engr. Adigun Adejare, recalled his service year in Ogun State and emphasised that corps members could build meaningful lives anywhere in the country. He highlighted the importance of continuous learning and experience in career development, commended their conduct and urged them to prepare for the responsibilities of life after service.
Certificates were presented to the outgoing corps members, who also celebrated the state coordinator’s birthday with a cake presentation.
At Iwo, Kubiangha encouraged the corps members to leverage the skills acquired through the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to establish sustainable businesses and other sources of livelihood.
He urged them to remain humble, contented, hardworking and grateful to God, while prioritising their safety and avoiding travel in their uniforms.
The monitoring officer, Deputy Director, South-West Area Office II, Mrs Yemisi Otaru, congratulated the corps members and reminded them of the values of selfless service, national unity and mutual respect promoted by the Scheme. She encouraged them to embrace contentment, acknowledged the Director-General’s concern for corps members’ welfare and cautioned against night travel. She also prayed for their safety and success in their future endeavours.
The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, while the Corps Liaison Officer, Ajadi Alimat (OS/25C/1812), delivered the vote of thanks.
Meanwhile, Kubiangha and other NYSC officials paid a courtesy visit to the Alabere of Abere, Oba Dr Adefemi Mutalib Adelakin, in appreciation of the monarch’s surprise visit to the state coordinator’s residence in Osogbo on Wednesday, October 28, to celebrate his birthday.
The coordinator was accompanied by the Assistant Director, Deployment and Relocation, Mrs Fatima Taiwo; Assistant Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr Jamiu Olukokun; and other officials.