President Goodluck Jonathan has said he hopes the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, will not scrap the agricultural policy and other policies initiated by his administration.
The President said this in his message read at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State, on Thursday during the swearing -in ceremony of 2015 Batch ‘A’ corps members posted to the state.
The presidential message was read by the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Special Needs, Dr. Akinyinka Esho.
The President lauded the response of the nation’s youths to agriculture since he started his transformation programme, saying it was massive and should be retained by Buhari in the interest of the youths and the nation.
He said, “We have put in place many beneficial interventions, which have increased the skills, self confidence and self-sufficiency available to the youths. We have introduced training programmes, provided grants and loans, thus encouraging entrepreneurship and improving lives.
“I am particularly delighted with the unprecedented youth response to agriculture. Now, across the country, in cultivation, aquaculture, processing and packaging: all along the value chain, our youths are discovering their potential, making adequate incomes and producing more food with modern exciting techniques and equipment.
“It is my ardent hope that these programmes will retain their priority in continuity by the incoming government for the benefit of our teeming youths and the good of the nation.
“I believe the next government will continue to support and encourage corps members by fulfilling its statutory obligations to the scheme and providing a peaceful atmosphere for optimal performance of corps members wherever they are.”
He also said that Nigeria had made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.
“Through the patriotic and courageous effort of our armed forces combined with right equipment and strategy, we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgency and we will not relent until all parts of the country are safer for our people and for national service,” he added.
Jonathan also hailed members of the National Youths Service Corps Scheme for their roles during the last general elections despite his defeat by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Buhari.
He said, “The concluding story of the last elections cannot be complete without the mention of corps members who discharged their electoral duties with diligence, transparency and patriotism.
“I salute your predecessors for their contributions towards nation building. And in particular, for the vital role they have played as ad hoc staff in national elections.
“Incidentally, this shall be my last address to you within my current term as President. I am indeed proud of the eventful and progressive relationship my administration has enjoyed with our youths.
“My administration recognised, from the start, the strength and vision of our youths and we set to work with urgency to help them define their path
Jonathan stated that he was proud of his relationship with the youths of Nigeria.
He called on the new corps members to emulate their predecessors by dedicating themselves to the development of the country.
The Coordinator of the NYSC in Osun State, Mrs. Regina Iluebbey, said the scheme registered 2,450 corps by the close of registration on Wednesday.
She advised the corps members against sneaking out while urging them to avail themselves of the various skill acquisition trainings that would be available during their orientation programme.
She thanked Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the support his administration had given to the scheme.
In Rivers State, President Jonathan’s message was delivered by the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, through the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Dickson Omunakwe.
No comments:
Post a Comment