The Rivers State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) successfully concluded its orientation program for Batch B Stream 2 corps members on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, with a blend of celebration and solemn remembrance.

The passing-out ceremony, held at the Nonwa-Gbam camp, Tai Local Government Area saw notable figures in attendance, including the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Hamilton Amadi.

The NYSC Director General, Brigadier Yushau Ahmed, in a speech delivered by his representative, lauded the exemplary conduct of the corps members throughout their stay.

“This set of corps members displayed superlative honesty and integrity in all their undertakings,” he remarked.

He further highlighted their enthusiastic participation in various camp activities, ranging from leadership roles and intellectual competitions to sports and Man O’ War drills.

The Director General also extended gratitude to the Rivers State Government for its unwavering support of the NYSC scheme, particularly through the prompt payment of allowances that have contributed to the well-being of corps members.

However, the jubilant mood of the event shifted briefly as attendees observed a minute of silence in honour of His Royal Highness also Chairman of the Host Communities Committee and Deputy Chief of Nonwa, Barikpe Mballey who passed away on September 9, 2024.

Mballey, a recent appointee as Head of Local Government Council for Andoni LGA, was remembered for his contributions to fostering peaceful relations between the host communities and the NYSC.

The governor’s representative, Amadi, also addressed the outgoing corps members, urging them to maintain positive relationships with their host communities and to prioritize security in their places of deployment.

The ceremony concluded with heartfelt well-wishes from the NYSC and state officials, sending the corps members off to their next phase of service with pride and a reminder of their responsibilities ahead.