Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River on Monday told members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to feel free to navigate all the nook and cranny of the state without fear while on their primary assignment.

Ayade, in a message to the passing out ceremony of 2017 ‘Batch A’ Stream 1 corps members at the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Akamkpa Local Government, Calabar, assured the corps members of adequate security.

The governor, who was represented by Mr Asu Okang, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, pledged to protect corps members throughout their one-year service period.

Ayade said: “I want to specially congratulate you for a successful three weeks military exercise. As you receive your posting letters today, I challenge you to outshine the legacies of your predecessors in order to get counted as strong pillars of nation building.

“While you set your mind for service, bear in mind also that multiple opportunities exist in the state, most especially in the area of tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and entrepreneurship. As the Chief security officer of the state, I must stress that your safety in this state is adequately guaranteed.”

The governor pledged to complete the renovation of the permanent orientation camp in Obubra Local Government Area.

Earlier, the Coordinator of NYSC in the state, Mrs Ambekemo Eniola said that the three-week orientation course had impacted vocational and entrepreneurial skills on the corps members.

Eniola said that the skills were meant to produce self-employed graduates after their service year and possibly make them employers of labour rather than job seekers.

She urged the corps members to be friendly and social with residents of the state in their places of primary assignment.

Corps members who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) urged the NYSC to upgrade facilities at the camp.

NAN reports that over 1,900 corps members posted to the state were deployed to various government and private organisations for their primary assignment. (NAN)

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