By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
The Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro has advocated for synergy between the National Youths Service Corps ( NYSC) and community leaders to ameliorate accommodation and security challenges faced by Corps members deployed to rural areas of the State.
Justice Umukoro made the call when the current NYSC State Coordinator; Mrs. Olutayo Samuel paid him a courtesy call in Asaba. He stressed that such mutual relationship would equally guarantee protection of lives and properties of Corps members serving their fatherland outside their states of origin.
The State Chief Judge who underwent his compulsory one year national service as pupil state counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Kano, in 1981/1982 , advised corps members to avoid flash points, night journeys and parties even as he cautioned them to conduct proper diligence on those they socialise with in the areas of their primary assignment to avoid trouble.
Justice Umukoro who acknowledged that the NYSC programme was supposed to be one of the unifying institutions in the country, expressed reservation as to whether the programme has met with the goals set out for it.
While admitting that intertribal and religious marriages took place between corps members during the period of their one year compulsory service, he observed that security of lives and properties of corps members still constitute a major challenge to the success of the programme.
He assured the NYSC Coordinator that the Judiciary would continue to perform its statutory role, and the State Government would ensure that corps members deployed to the State were adequately protected.
The Delta State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Olutayo Samuel said that she was on a familiarisation visit with her team to thank the Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro for always delegating one of his brother judges to attend and administer oath of allegiance on youth corps members deployed to the state.
While soliciting for continuity of the existing harmonious relationship, Mrs.Olutayo described Justice C.O. Ogisi (Mrs.) who always represents the Chief Judge for her diligence, patience and efficiency in discharging her constitutional responsibility.
The highpoint of the visit was presentation of NYSC Bye-Laws and other publications to the Chief Judge by the State Coordinator.
