Be Empathetic To Corps Members, Lagos Coordinator Tells Officials

As the 2025 Batch A Stream 1 Orientation Course begins tomorrow, State Coordinator NYSC Lagos, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, has called on officials to be empathetic to corps members and show them love as they come to the Camp.

The State Coordinator who urged the officials to make the corps members feel at home during the course, made the statement during the first Camp meeting with officials at the NYSC Lagos Orientation Camp in Iyana-Ipaja.

She enjoined the officials to receive the corps members well and show them kindness. She also acknowledged the tendencies of the corps members to err but encouraged them to treat them as their children who need to be disciplined with love. She said the use of foul languages should not be an option of registering displeasure. She however urged them to lead by example by being disciplined themselves.

She reminded camp officials to avoid altercations, oversocialization and extortion of any kind.

On teamwork, she encouraged the officials to be united and work as one, cautious of their actions towards one another and learn to forgive one another before an offence is committed.

While speaking on drug abuse, she called on officials to be on their toes to ensure Prospective Corps Members are properly screened before entry into camp and ensure all sources of access to illicit substances are cut-off, while premium is placed on Counselling and mentorship. She also added that surveillance should be mounted to see that no ailing corps member hide and stay in camp instead of seeking medical care.

On security, Mrs Salmwang enjoined all officials to be security conscious and report any suspicious movements or persons as it is our collective responsibility.

Aligning with the State Coordinator, the Camp Director, Mrs Beatrice Fayinto, explained to the officials the need to be cautious while dealing with one another and Corps Members. She said officials should toe the “high ground” in their words while addressing corps members and avoid words that may provoke hostility and retaliation.

She called on officials to work as a team and ensure success is recorded during the course.

The Camp Commandant, Captain Kenneth Wandate, meanwhile has urged officials to be conscious of their actions and avoid behaviour that may bring disrepute to the scheme .

He pledged his cooperation with other officials while calling on them to report any challenge they may be encountering for solution.