Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp at Umuawulu/Mbaukwu in Anambra State is in danger following the menace of gully erosion at the camp.
This development was observed on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 orientation course.
It was observed that some parts of the parade ground have been completely cut-off by gully erosion resulting from recent repeated heavy downpour.
Similarly, some parts of the security fence and structures at the orientation camp risk being washed away if nothing is done to remedy the situation.
Speaking on the development, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, regretted that erosion had been a constant menace in the state, noting that over 1,000 active gully erosion is already ravaging the state.
“Anambra is the erosion capital of the world. Last week, we were at Oba where erosion had cut off the expressway. Nanka, Oko, Awgbu, Oba are all ravaged by erosion. About 1,000 active gully erosion is ravaging the state.”
The governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, while speaking to journalists, urged the people and residents to consider planting of trees to help curtail the excesses of erosion in the state.
He also said the government would look into the erosion matter at NYSC with hope of providing a solution.
Congratulating the new corps members, Soludo said NYSC had over the years, lived up to the vision of impacting positively on national development especially in rural communities through developmental projects.
He urged the corps members to engage in various community development projects and activities and to fully immerse themselves in the unique Anambra experience to make the most of this opportunity.
Anambra State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, said that 1610 corps members had been registered for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ stream 1 orientation course in the state.
According to her, “as at the close of registration midnight, Thursday 13 July 2023, a couple of hours ago, 1,610 Corps Members, comprising of 702 males and 908 females were registered and are formed up for this Swearing in Ceremony.”
The coordinator while enumerating some of the camp activities to include skill acquisition, entrepreneurship programmes, and social activities, beckoned on the State and Local Government authorities to intervene in locating the proposed NYSC South-East Area Skill Acquisition Centre in Umuawulu.
She said the center, if provided, will give the Corps Members as well as the host community the opportunity to acquire valuable skills that will enable them to become self-employed and contribute to the development of the State.
On his own, Commissioner for Youth Development, who is also the Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Patrick Ahamba, represented by Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Barr Nonso Arinze, urged the corps members to utilise the opportunity of the orientation exercise to imbibe the virtues of loyalty, discipline and commitment to become better members of the society.
He warned the corps members to take the orientation course seriously, reminding them that it would afford them the opportunity to learn important skills, imbibe discipline and foster a sense of nationhood and unity.
“It is also a time for you to interact with one another, build friendships and develop leadership qualities,” he said.
He also charged them to pay special attention to Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme towards the attainment of self reliance.
