Fashola tells Lagos NYSC members to Call emergency numbers when in distress

Emergency Numbers are 767 and 112

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Tuesday urged corps members in the state to call emergency help lines whenever they were in distress.

Mr. Fashola spoke at the closing ceremony of the three-week orientation programme for the 2013 Batch ‘B’ National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members deployed to the state.

“Corps members should call our toll-free telephone numbers — 767 and 112– when in distress. Our men are always available to attend to your calls and give necessary assistance,” the governor said.

He urged the corps members to contribute meaningfully to the development of the various communities where they were posted to serve.

“You are expected to avail yourselves of the various empowerment programmes put in place by acquiring skills toward becoming self-reliant,’’ Mr. Fashola said.

The governor also advised community members to accommodate NYSC members during their one-year mandatory service. He described the NYSC scheme as a vibrant and dynamic programme, adding that it was adequate for youth re-orientation.

The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Wale Ahmed, represented the governor.

The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Adenike Adeyemi, urged the state government to provide a permanent orientation camp to ensure adequate accommodation for the increasing number of corps members posted to the state.

According to her, the present camp has become inadequate to accommodate the teeming population of NYSC members posted to the state.

Ms. Adeyemi urged community leaders and employers of labour to embrace the corps members and make their stay worthwhile during their service year.

“The corps members have participated actively in inter-platoon activities that will be of great benefit to them during their service year.

“The orientation course is to instill in them leadership qualities of perseverance, diligence, dedication, determination, loyalty, integrity, zeal, courage, discipline and self reliance,’’ she said.

NAN reports that 2,151 corps members were posted to key sectors of the economy, including education, rural health and agriculture for their primary assignment.