Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, Director-General of the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, has advised corps members not to consider returning to their communities, underlining that life does not end there.
Ahmed revealed this during his visit to the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Kaduna on Friday, when he addressed corps members from the 2024 Batch ‘C’ stream ‘I.’.
The NYSC director urged corps members to make a home wherever they were posted, underlining the need of adapting to different situations.
Ahmed highlighted that corps members must feel a feeling of belonging wherever they are stationed and that such a mindset is essential for a successful service year.
He believes that accepting new experiences and being willing to change can lead to personal growth and development.
The NYSC director urged corps members to focus on creating a positive influence in their host communities, as well as to be proactive in seeking chances to contribute to the development of such places.
He urged them to respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities, advising, ”Remain peaceful and resilient as you add value to the community you are posted to.
”I am sure many of you will choose to remain here after your service. You should also take security seriously.
“Your security is our concern, but no one can secure you more than yourself.”
Ahmed emphasised the scheme’s focus on skill learning and entrepreneurial development.
He encouraged corps members to take advantage of the program to become not just self-sufficient, but also employment and wealth producers following their service year.
“Skills acquisition is designed to make you independent, self-reliant, and productive.
”The Federal Government is out to ensure that youths are supported and empowered so they can stand on their own. Thousands of your predecessors who maximised the opportunity are now independent,” Ahmad said.
The NYSC DG did, however, caution the corps members about unauthorised night travel and indecent dressing, among other actions that could cast the scheme in a negative light.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")