NYSC warns corps members against religious fanaticism, others

[TGD]

 THE Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okorie-Afia, at the weekend warned corps members against indulging in religious fanaticism and ethnic bigotry in their various places of postings.

He particularly warned them against desecrating areas that are held 'sacred', particularly the shrines in towns and villages where they are to serve.

Okorie-Afia told the corps members that national integration begins during the service year, urging them to always engage in activities that would bring about national rebirth and unity, rather than exhibiting acts that could further rip the nation apart.

The director-general gave the warning while addressing the 2013 Batch 'C' corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp located in Emure/Ise-Ekiti area of Ekiti State. He warned that corps members must refrain from exhibiting acts of religious and cultural intolerance in the various communities where they are posted for compulsory one-year service.

His words: "I know that many of you are prayer warriors, nothing is bad about this, but do not go to shrines in the communities where you are to serve and say you want to cast out demons. If you do this, is like you are inviting trouble to yourselves.

"You have to open your eyes and study the cultural values of these towns and the new friends you are making, rather than see your own culture as the only valuable asset to you.

"This programme is part of the ways to engender national integration and I believe national integration begins with you."

Okorie-Afia urged the corps members to treat with topmost seriousness and zeal, the skills and entrepreneurial programmes of the scheme, so that they can be employers of labour after service.

Urging the lady corps members, who are fond of riding commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada to be wary of their actions, the NYSC boss charged them to pay attention to Martial Art programme designed to give them defensive training against attack.

"Various programmes where you can acquire skills have been designed. In Nigeria today, government's jobs are no longer available, so you must learn a skill for you to become a relevant, marketable and functional graduates out there.

"I know that the lady corps members are fond of riding Okada, you know the implications of this. But with Martial Art, you can get exposed to defensive training that can prevent you against attack."

The NYSC boss also advised the corps members against frivolous travel during their service year, saying this is the best way to prevent unwarranted death or accident among them.



The Guardian