As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) bided  farewell to its 2012/2014 ‘BATCH  ‘C’ Corpers, who have successfully completed their one year compulsory National Youth Service Scheme to the nation on the 16th of October, 2014, and have received their discharge certificates, the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation  (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has congratulated the five Corps Members of the batch, who  served in the Institute for a successful service year.

In a chat with them in his office at the Institute’s headquarters located at No. 23, Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, few days after their passing out ceremony, the NICO Chief Executive shared his experience of what the NYSC Service Year has done for him and could do to any corps member who wished to learn despite the theoretical aspect of his or her discipline in their future endeavour.

His words: “There are certain things you may not have learnt in the classroom that you have learnt from your service year. I know that, as an individual during my service year long before you were all born, in NTA Enugu, I learnt a lot and of course I took that to my first job, which was Rivers State Television. I worked in NTA Enugu during my primary assignment and I learnt a lot.”

Continuing, Ayakoroma prayed for them that God’s protection, guidance and favour will locate them in life, promising that as part of the NICO family, they will be remembered if any employment opportunity in the future presents itself; adding that the doors of the Institute will always be open for them to come around even as his own door as the Chief Executive of the Institute is always open for visitors.

Responding on behalf of the Corps Members, Michael Adebunmi, who served in the Finance and Account Department of the Institute, thanked the Executive Secretary for the wonderful opportunity given to them to serve and in a serene working environment.

His words: “Sir, on behalf of my fellow Ex-Corps Members, we sincerely want to appreciate you and thank you very much because while we were here in NICO, we felt we were at home because there was no intimidation, and there was no harassment during our service year. It went smoothly and it all boils down to the head of the Institute. We sincerely want to thank you for being a father to us. I want to say again that we are so anxious of the employment opportunity; when it comes we will quickly jump at it. We want to thank you and the entire Management of NICO.”

The five Corps members in the Batch ‘C’ 2013/2014 who served in various departments of the Institute from November 2013 to October 2014 were Adaora Onuzulike posted to Legal Department in the Office of the Executive Secretary; Gloria Ofoedu and Monsurat Hassan served in the Administration and Human Resources Department; Ogechi Ofuzim served in Orientation and Cultural Affairs Department; and Michael Adebunmi who worked in the Finance and Account Department of the Institute.

The Management Staff present at the meeting were Mr. Alex Omijie (Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs) and Mr. Godson Ordu (Director Finance and Accounts), among others.

Njideka Dimgba

Corporate Affairs Unit, NICO