The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Safety and Environment, Mrs. Jayne Ufot, has pledged deeper collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to enhance compliance and awareness among young Nigerians, in line with the ARISE Agenda.
This commitment was made on Thursday November 27, 2025, during a special visit to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Nsit Atai Local Government Area.
Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Ufot described NYSC as a critical national institution for grooming disciplined, responsible and development-minded young Nigerians adding that, the scheme remains one of the country’s strongest symbols of national unity.
While congratulating and welcoming the corps members to Akwa Ibom State, she said the State remain a peaceful and supportive environment where young people are encouraged to thrive.
She highlighted the several reforms under the HSE sector, including the revitalization of primary healthcare centres, strengthened emergency medical response, and the recruitment of 100 Safety Officers into the state civil service.
These measures, she said, reflect Governor Umo Eno’s determination to move safety from a reactive posture to a sustained cultural practice across government institutions.
Mrs. Ufot further encouraged corps members to join HSE-related CDS groups to support ongoing state-wide sensitization campaigns on public health, waste reduction, environmental protection, and community safety.
The Governor’s Aide who delivered a lecture on hazard awareness and control, personal hygiene and environmental protection, stressed the importance of cultivating habits that promote safety and well-being within the camp and in their places of primary assignment.
On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects, Prof. Akaninyene Ekong, highlighted safety developments at the national and state levels and noted that, the National Council on Establishment, at its 43rd meeting in January 2022, approved the Occupational Health and Safety Officer cadre.
Prof. Ekong informed the corps members that Governor Umo Eno’s administration is the first to implement this policy in the Akwa Ibom Civil Service, followed by the recruitment of 100 Safety Officers and urged corps members to consider careers in Health, Safety and Environment, citing the field’s growing professional opportunities.
Also Speaking, Prof. Comfort Etuk of the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructural and Asset Management Agency addressed issues of environmental protection, emphasizing proper waste disposal, management of plastic waste and opportunities in turning waste to wealth.
She recalled how her training in environmental management shaped her professional growth and urged corps members to take their immediate environment seriously, noting that safety begins with personal responsibility.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Sam Pepple, expressed appreciation to the HSE team for the visit, stating that such collaborations elevate the quality of orientation the corps members receive and align with the scheme’s mandate of preparing young Nigerians for productive national service.
The highpoint of the visit was the inspection of camp facilities led by the State Coordinator, an award of scholarships to three corps members for HSE training and certification, an interactive session with the corps members, and the presentation of a First Aid Kit to the NYSC Health Centre.
Other members of the HSE team who accompanied the SSA are; Engr. Peter Asuquo, Mrs. Emmanuela Ibok, Mr. Ekemini James and Mrs. Uduak Amaowo.