Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi Bakare, the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, has disclosed the motive behind organising Drills competition during orientation courses.
According to the NYSC Ondo State boss, the management factored the competition into orientation course content to test the level of resilience, determination and perseverance of the members of the service corps ahead of their dispatch to their places of primary assignment.
Bakare, while presenting trophies and cash awards to the winners of the 2024 Batch 'C' (Stream II) Drills competition at the Parade Ground of the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko noted that, to succeed in contemporary Nigeria, one needed to be resilient, determined, rugged, disciplined and above all, focused on the goal.
"Today, I can say that all the platoons prepared well, having it at the back of their minds that creativity coupled with constant practice and training will earn them the silverware and I am confident that what was displayed today is a testament that you will all serve the nation diligently when you leave here for your primary assignment".
The Coordinator likened the training to what they should expect in the larger society which she described as daunting and challenging but was quick to add that continous learning will lead to perfection and this will steer applause from the world as evident during the competition.
The NYSC helmsman in the Sunshine State eulogised the corps members as dedicated, well behaved and hospitable going by the way they blended easily with one another despite the fact that they evolved from different backgrounds, while adding that they should remain determined and focused to contribute to nation-building, wherever they are posted.
The Corps members on parade in a bid to outshine one another introduced creativity and ingenuity to the event which ensured that the entire camp community stood still while the programme lasted. The Drills Instructors for all the platoons went extra mile by adding pomp and colour to the appearances of their corps members.
At the end of the beautiful parade, number 5 Platoon outshined others to clinch the first position, followed closely by number 1 Platoon while number 8 Platoon beat other seven platoons to take the third place.
The Panel of Judges were Lieutenant M. Shehu from 32 Artillery Brigade Garrison, Akure, who served as Chairman while others were Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Samuel Ayeni, Warrant Officer Jude Bawa and Sergeant Awwal Mohammed.
USE SPORTS TO UNIFY YOUR COMMUNITIES, ONDO STATE COORD TELLS CORPS MEMBERS
The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi Bakare has admonished corps members to use sports to unify various communities during the service year.
The State Coordinator, alongside other Principal Camp Officials saw the finals of the Football competition between number 4 platoon and number 8 platoon, and concluded that sports is a strong influence capable of unifying, changing people's perception and mindset.
Bakare, while drawing curtains on the Games and Sports activities challenged corps members to go into communities and use sports to promote educational advancement of students as well as encourage peaceful co-existence among various ethnics and clans.
"Gentlemen Corps members, with the prevalence of strife and rancour in some communities, you will be directly etching your names in gold if you can use sports to restore normalcy in those areas. As youths with surplus energies and creative minds, those communities will respect your opinions targeting the restoration of peace that has eluded them for some time" she admonished.
Continuing, she said that members of the service corps can achieve this laudable assignment by identifying opinion leaders through the security agencies domiciled in such communities.
"The primary objective of the National Youth Service Corps is the promotion of unity and integration among the citizens and residents of Nigerians irrespective of their backgrounds, you will do well to achieve the dreams of the founding fathers by making yourselves catalyst for the needed peaceful co-existence".
The State Coordinator who was represented by the Camp Director, Mr. James Olukayode Amusan said that corps members should go and replicate 'one love' that has kept them together throughout the period of the orientation course at their places of primary assignment and host communities. He advised that they should posit themselves as role models to the younger generation who will come in contact with them during the service year.
Speaking earlier, the Assistant Director/Head, Games and Sports, Mrs. Martha Iziengbe Ihenyen thanked everyone for the massive support given the committee from the beginning of the activities, saying it has helped them to record the success story evident at the finals.
Ihenyen, while appreciating the State Coordinator for providing the needed resources and enabling environment said that all measures put in place, such as medical checks before matches, pep talk aimed at dissuading them from seeing rivalry or approaching games as do-or-die assisted them to have a injury-free competition.
The Head of Games and Sports, who doubles as the Assistant Director, Community Development Service (CDS) announced that the Secretariat has selected some of the corps members that will form the bulk of the state contingent to the annual NYSC Director General Sports and Cultural Carnival. She said the selected ones will join their colleagues who are already in the service to commence preparation in earnest.
The Games and Sports activities featured football, volleyball, track and field events as well as indoor games. In the finals of the football match, number 8 platoon defeated number 4 platoon by 5 - 2 to emerge champions while number 10 platoon outplayed number 3 platoon by 2 goals to 1 to win the third place.
In the volleyball contest, number 8 platoon dispatched number 6 platoon with two sets to one. To determine the third place winners, number 1 platoon recorded an edge over number 2 platoon by two straight sets.
Post a Comment