Kunle Adelabu
-Royal father, chiefs, others commend corps members’ talents, performances
The First Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs and Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, has stated that the National Youth Service Corps scheme has lost its essence.
Oba Shotobi, who had his national youth service in 1984, also said that serving in those days means so much and that there were always employment opportunities waiting for corps members after service year.
The royal father made these statements during the visit of the Community Development Service Drama Group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ikorodu division, to the Ayangbure palace on Tuesday (yesterday).
The group, which staged drama and songs, showed the importance of unity in the country and also prayed for Ikorodu and the reign of Oba Shotobi.
Adediran Mariam Oluwadamolola, who led the group, entertained the royal father and other guests with her ‘Ewi’ songs which was felt by all.
“I did my national youth service in 1984 and l still kept some of my service outfits”, Oba Shotobi recalled.
“It means a lot to be in this uniform as you will be posted to areas that are unknown to you but which you must go there and serve.
“Through this, you learn about other people’s culture which you will imbibe and this has a lot to do with unity and cooperation in the country.
“The essence of the NYSC is to form unity and cooperation among the different tribes and ethnic groups in the country. By that, graduates are sent from their areas to others to serve, but unfortunately that has been eroded.
“Many do not want to go up north to serve because of what is happening there. The political class is not making the environment conducive for us again. The situation is pathetic now”, Oba Shotobi said.
“I can see that some of you attended LASPOTECH (Lagos State Polytechnic) and other institutions in Lagos and yet, still serving in Ikorodu, whereas, you should have been posted to other states but for the situation in the country.
“The situation is more worrisome. Aside from spending more years in the University, it is always an agonizing experience getting call – up letter for NYSC and posting to serve, while also there is no job for you after serving.
“In our days, there were opportunities waiting for us after service, but today, you don’t even know what the world has for you”, Oba Shotobi said.
Commenting on the songs and drama staged by the corpers, Oba Shotobi said:
“I purposefully invited you here today to perform in the glare of my chiefs, eminent persons and journalists and I have seen the talents that you have displayed.
“The other day, I invited some of you to observe our Agemo festival at the Ajina square and I am sure that you know more about Eyibi now and you can tell others when you get back to your various domains about it”.
The royal father enjoined the corpers not to forget Ikorodu and how hospitable its royalty and people generally are.
He also charged corps members to focus more on their skills than the certificates because of the uncertainties in the country, especially the difficulty in getting employment.
Speaking earlier, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, thanked the corps members for the visit.
“I thank you for deeming it fit to visit the palace to stage your performance and I congratulate you for using your time and knowledge wisely and progressively to get to where you are.
“I urge you to continue to use your knowledge to impact your community and make the best of your time”.
While stating that his generation has failed the country, Otunba Elesho commended the performances of the corps members which he said were filled with lessons for Nigeria.
He charged them to go and make the country better for them and others to thrive.
“Your drama was filled with great lessons for all of us. If our generation has failed this country, I think that your generation knows the importance of unity and cooperation and will work for the development of Nigeria”, he charged.
The Publisher of the Oriwu Sun Newspaper and the Baroyin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Chief Monzor Olowosago, described the performances by the NYSC members as thought – provoking and entertaining.
“I enjoyed the drama. It is thought – provoking. You have shown that you have talents that can make you excel beyond what the degrees that you acquired can do for you.
“You should use your degree to pursue your talents in the real world”, he advised.
The Chairman of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, also speaking as one of the palace guests, said:
“We thoroughly appreciated your performances.
“We know that you are very informed that it is the skill that sells and that entertainment is a great thing that can take you to the zenith if you are focused and committed to it”, he said.
He also announced that IKODASS would be unveiling the Ikorodu Literary Initiative (ILI) which, according to him, is aimed at developing talents in drama, play and art generally.
“IKODASS will be coming up with the Ikorodu Literary Initiative (ILI) next month and will run for six months. It is our way of producing another Ola Rotimi, Chinua Achebe and other literary giants from Ikorodu”, Erogbogbo said.
Mrs Jamiu Esther, the CDS Coordinator, NYSC, Ikorodu Local Government, described the reception by Oba Shotobi as a great gesture that she has never experienced in her 30 years as staff of the NYSC.
“I have never seen a reception like this by any royal father for corps members since about 30 years that I have been with the NYSC.
“I had worked in different parts of the state where corpers were not given attention”, she said while commending Oba Shotobi for the warm reception given to the visiting NYSC members.
Other dignitaries at the event were Chief Wasiu Layembi, Olootu (head) of Lasunwon Ruling House, High Chief Folake Shonubi, the Iyalode of Ikorodu, Chief Kareem Ore, the Apena of Ikorodu, as well as chiefs and Baales among others.
