The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called on corps members deployed to the state for their mandatory one-year national service to contribute positively to the growth of Lagos and Nigeria.
During an interactive session with the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps Members at the NYSC Camp in Iyana Ipaja, Dr. Sanwo-Olu highlighted the significance of their decision to serve the nation through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. She noted that their commitment reflected a dedication to making a positive impact in society.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the NYSC scheme’s longstanding role in fostering youth engagement and sustaining the vision of its founding fathers, who believed in a united Nigeria despite diverse languages, cultures, and religions. She praised the corps members for their resilience and patriotic spirit, commending their efforts in enduring camping activities and adhering to the Orientation Programme’s rules and regulations.
“Your decision to serve Nigeria through this program reflects your commitment towards making a positive impact in society,” she said.
During the session, Dr. Sanwo-Olu educated the corps members about various initiatives undertaken by her office to improve the quality of life in Lagos, including the fight against drug abuse. She emphasized the alarming rate of drug abuse and the necessity for public support to increase campaign messages and expand their reach.
She also discussed her office’s efforts in raising awareness about the dangers of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), providing assistance and protective care for victims, and ensuring access to justice.
The First Lady lauded the NYSC Lagos State officials for their dedication to nurturing future leaders and assured the gathering of the government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower youths for a bright future.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa, Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, described Dr. Sanwo-Olu’s visit as a source of motivation and inspiration for the corps members. She appreciated the state government for prioritizing issues concerning the NYSC scheme and reiterated that the programme would continually contribute to Nigeria’s development.