NYSC trains corpers in martial arts

Corps members deployed by the National Youth Service Corps in Anambra and Ogun states are being subjected to intensive training in martial arts.

Anambra Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs. Inyang Ekpe, and her Ogun counterpart, Mrs. Theresa Anosike, said this on Wednesday at the swearing-in of the 2012 Batch B corps members at NYSC orientation camps, Umunya and Sagamu respectively.

The Man O’War, the police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Army are involved in the training of the corps members.

Ekpe said, “In view of the current security and unemployment challenges facing the nation, management had incorporated intensive skills acquisition programme and martial arts training for al corps members.

“It is expected that these programmes will to a large extent tackle the post-service unemployment and security challenges facing the corps members in particular.”

Anosike said the 2,000 corps members comprising 999 male and 1,001 female, so far registered, would be equipped with self-defence skills in addition to the normal para-military drills and physical training during the three-week orientation programme.

She said the martial training would enable the corps members to defend themselves in the event of any attack by assailaints.

Anosike said, “Every corps member is expected to begin his service year with an orientation course which is the first of the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC. Corps members are brought together in the camp environment and given para-military training activities.

“These activities are designed to instill discipline in them, toughen their resistance, and imbue in them Spartan-like resilience that will prepare them for whatever challenges they may encounter, during and after their service period.”