by By Esther Eyitayo
The State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, in Cross River, Mr Andrew Zemoh has flagged off the the training of Corps Members selected for the Home Grown Feeding Programme in the state.
The Coordinator who disclosed that 52 Corps Members were carefully selected from all the 18 local government areas of the state said they will be given intensive training as they are expected to bring the best out of the programme. He emphasized that, as Corps Members embark on the exercise, all gadgets that were dispatched to them must be well taken care of and handled as their personal belongings and must be returned intact after the exercise.
He stressed the need for patience on the part of Corps Members as their target audience are young children from Primary 1 to 3 and they must be well cared for.
The flag off being his first official assignment in the state since he took over as the 28th State Coordinator, Zemoh used the opportunity to express gratitude to everyone that showed up for the event. He further revealed that he wore his khaki in this same state 30 years ago, and encouraged Corps Members to always be of good conduct and abide by the tenets of the scheme wherever they find themselves.
On his part, the NYSC Schedule Officer for the Home Feeding Programme, Mr. Obot Emmanuel, sensitized Corps Members on the school feeding programme. He emphasised the importance of an accurate data of all the schools from Primary 1 to Primary 3 classes, and encouraged all the Corps Members participating in the program to take the assignment seriously as there will be no room for failure.
He further disclosed NYSC plan to visit other local government areas between Wednesday and Thursday to achieve the aim of the school feeding programme. He averred that Corps Members will be provided with feeding and transportation fare at the end of the programme.
The State Consultant of the programme, Mr. Eric Egbe called on Corps Members who will be part of the project to reach out to him when they face with technical challenges as regards the work entrusted to them for a hitch free and successful data collection.
On her part, the Commissioner for Humanity and Social Welfare, Hon Blessing Egbara, who was represented by the Project Manager, Ntufum Gabriel Okulaju implored the Corps Members to be patient and explain to teachers in each school the purpose of their assignment and what they want to achieve.
Also speaking, the State Team lead, Mrs Elizabeth Odu, in her remarks encouraged Corps Members to be ready to set for work, as their hands will be on deck during the Salah break to show how serious the project is.
Odu maintained that Corps Members should also be ready to move from one local government to another and from one school to another. She encouraged them to take the pupils they will be working with as they are and exercise patience especially with the children and parents.
Gadgets were dispatched to all Corps Members which include; iPads, chargers, OTH cords, Power bank and Scanners.
