The Edo Government on Thursday announced the offer of automatic employment to four outgoing NYSC members of the 2012 Batch “B” for outstanding performance during the service year.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who made the announcement during the passing out of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, said the gesture was to let others know that hard work pays.
He also directed that 26 names among the corps members be forwarded for employment in the Edo ICT scheme.
Oshiomhole further announced a cash reward of N25,000 each to all NYSC members who served in public schools in the state and commended the NYSC members for conducting themselves well throughout the service year.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Adebayo Somefun, said that 3,006 corps members in the batch successfully completed the national service in the state.
Somefun said that of the number, four would receive state awards, 10, chairman’s award, for outstanding performance and 14 others state coordinator’s certificate of recommendation.
He also said that 18 corps members would be punished, including 14 who would be repeating the service for absconding from their places of primary assignment, and four others, whose service year had been extended.
Also, the National Youth Service Corps in Akwa Ibom on Thursday sanctioned 49 members of its 2012 Batch ‘B’ set for violating service rules.
The Coordinator of the NYSC in the state, Mr Akinkumi Martins, made the announcement at the passing out ceremony of the corps members in Uyo.
He said that three of the corps members would repeat their service year, while 47 would have their service year extended for between two and four months.
“Corps members who refuse to keep to the rules of the scheme will have their service year extended according to the offences committed. “Corps members should not think they can gallivant from one place to the other and still go scot-free without being punished,” he warned.
Martins lauded the newly-introduced skills acquisition programme, introduced by the NYSC management, describing it as being a right step taken in the right direction.
The coordinator disclosed that many ex-corps members had acquired the spirit of self-reliance through the development of skills for self-employment.
He said that 10 corps members emerged winners of the state’s award while nine others won the council chairman’s award.
Addressing the corps members, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Ita Udoh, urged the corps members not to be in a haste to leave the state.
“I have no doubt that some of you will stay behind to engage in careers or productive businesses in Akwa Ibom. “I advise you to refrain from nefarious activities that may tarnish your reputation and short-change your destiny,” he added.
Miss Sandra Agbo, who emerged the best corps member of the batch, said the scheme afforded her an opportunity to alleviate the condition of some less-privileged people during her community development service.
