Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, on Thursday urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),  deployed  to the state to put Nigeria first in all their dealings.

The governor stated that they could achieve that by working to enhance national unity and integration during and after their service year, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.

Dickson, who was represented by the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Mr Kemela Okara, gave the charge during the formal opening/inauguration for 2018 Batch C stream 1 corps members deployed to Bayelsa.

According to the governor, the NYSC scheme established in 1973 is one of the enduring legacies in the country because of its pivotal role on nation-building and national integration.

He said that NYSC would continue to be relevant because the factors which gave rise to the setting up of the scheme for the Nigerian youth were still very much in the polity.

Dickson urged all corps members to shun all forms of ethnic, religious and political cleavages in the task of nation-building.

He said: “As patriots on national service, you must therefore take this opportunity given to you by the NYSC scheme to contribute your quota in accelerating development to your father land.

“In all your dealings, you must put Nigeria first.”

In the same vein, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Bolade Omolayo, described the national service as a fundamental force instrumental to national integration and peace.

She assured the governor that the scheme would continue to mobilise, deploy, monitor, mentor and motivate the corps members to serve the nation and their immediate community in Bayelsa.

She also urged the corps members not to engage in hate speeches and political campaigns during the service year.

Omolayo advised them to work very hard to ensure they actively participated in all camp activities as orientation was the foundation of the service year. (NAN)