Feb 13, 2008 - Dinner Party For Outgoing Youth Corpers In Lagos State
On behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, the Governor of Lagos, I welcome you all especially our very enterprising and patriotic youth corps members to Lagos House, Ikeja.
The reason for our gathering here this evening is a very simple one: to express the profound appreciation and gratitude of the good people of Lagos State to the 2007 Batch “A” Corps members as they complete the mandatory one year service tomorrow. It is my believe that you have had a wonderful and memorable experience of Lagos State and its people in the last one year.
For those of you who probably are visiting Lagos for the first time, I am sure the service year has given you the opportunity to have first hand experience of Lagos and the challenges being faced as the most populous State in the country and centre of commerce in the Africa sub region.
As future leaders who will have the privilege of contributing to high level decision making process, it is our hope that you will find the experience very useful as it will guide you in making informed opinion and judgements on issues affecting Lagos State. I believe this is the ultimate goal of the deployment policy of the NYSC which seeks to foster unity by promoting better understanding of the culture, tradition and the socio-economic conditions of people and communities outside our local environment.
As you prepare for the passing out parade tomorrow and bid our state farewell, I am sure one issue that will be uppermost in your minds is the current situation in the labour market. The reality today which is a source of concern for everyone is that it may not be possible for everyone to secure a place both in the public and private sector. There is therefore an increasing need for creativity and a high sense of initiative to be able to get over the challenges of unemployment. I pray that God almighty will guide you through and continue to grant our leaders the wisdom and will to turn our economy around for the better.
I cannot end this remarks without expressing my heartfelt personal appreciation to you all for your contribution to the success of the monthly environmental sanitation advocacy. I thank you for your constant attendance, punctuality and commitment which you have always demonstrated every month. I also thank the State coordinator, Mr. Ani for the purposeful leadership which he has shown since his deployment to Lagos State few months ago.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and journey mercies, even though I am certain that most if not all of you will continue to have something to do with Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence.
God bless you all.
Her Excellency
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola
First Lady of Lagos State