Oyo corps members urged to be united

The State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Oyo State, Mr.Odoba Abel Oche has tasked corps members to see our cultural diversity as a unifying force to achieve peace, unity and national integration rather than being a threat to the nation.

He added that the country is so blessed with rich cultural heritage that if well harnessed would enhance the nation's development.

Odoba stated this during the Inter-Platoon Cultural Carnival for 2023 Batch B stream one Orientation Course, held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Iseyin.

The SC reiterated that corps members must understand the ideology of the founding fathers in establishing the noble Scheme which was to use our diversity in creating a stronger bond between us as a people.

He therefore urged them to shun all forms of hate , nepotism and discrimination as no culture is subordinate to another.

He further enjoined the corps members to preach to the members of their host communities the things that bind and unite us which are far more than the things that divide us as a people.

" I encourage you to inculcate our cherished cultural values of honesty, hard work, tolerance, patriotism, respect for elders and constituted authority and above all respect for the sanctity of human life'' he said.

Earlier the Head of Socials on Camp, Mr Lasaki Oladimeji said the idea of Cultural Carnival is to promote unity and love among the corps members especially when they get to their Places of Primary Assignment.

He implored them to see our diversity as an instrument of unity and not of division.

He added that the Carnival is an avenue for them to meet one another and forge greater cohesion and understanding.

The climax of the event was the rich cultural display of different ethnic groups ranging from Hausa; Tiv, Igbo, Yoruba, Edo, Fulani, Efik, Ijaw among others.          

Announcing the result by the Chief Judge, Mrs Suleiman Bukola , declared Number 9 platoon which represented Ijaw culture the winner of the 2023 Batch B stream one Orientation Course Inter-Platoon Cultural Carnival, followed by number 2 platoon which represented Yoruba culture as the first runner-up and number 10 platoon, representing the Fulani culture clinched the 3rd position.