The Honourable Vice President-Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh
Hon. Chief Justice
Hon. Chief Minister
Hon. Ministers
Honourable Members of Parliament
Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps
Development Partners
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I greet you all in the name of God Almighty.
We are gathered here today to rekindle our patriotism, reinforce our national unity and to rededicate ourselves to national service.
We are gathered here today as young people to contribute a chapter in the unique history of the Mano River Union.
We are hopeful that our historians and other researchers mark this day as a new beginning in the journey of the youth of the Mano River Union to forge their nations ahead.
Indeed, we have resolved that our revolution in ideas and attitudes will greatly help our nations to overcome the growing challenges of youth unemployment in our country.
This moment marks the beginning of our determined effort in fulfilment of our President’s vision to create a safe space for our youth.
Let also use this opportunity to thank our President-HE Julius Maada Bio for the confidence he has reposed in our Minister of Youth Affairs and my humble-self to serve the young people of our great nation.
Your Excellency, the National Youth Service Scheme was established by the National Youth Service Act of 2016, with a mandate to raise a class of patriotic, morally, physically and psychologically fit Sierra Leonean graduates to undertake one-year compulsory national service.
Today, we have defeated those Doubting Thomases who said patriotism is dead. The much anticipated day is finally here!
We are here today to swear in 200 young graduates and officially declare the orientation camp open. Out of the 200 young university graduates, 75 are female and 125 are male.
These young graduates will be staying here at the training camp to go through the 21 days orientation before their deployment across the country.
Before their deployment as youth corps, they will be trained to nurture and cultivate positive working attitudes and to engage in a year of dedicated national service.
Let me salute our young graduates and urge them to brace up and embrace the challenges ahead in building our country.
Your Excellency, the objective of this programme is to promote self-discipline; expand young people’s knowledge of cultural diversities; help to bridge the ethnic divide and to provide them with the opportunities to gain valuable work experience.
During this year of national service, our youth corps will be championing community development and further serve as a symbol of unity in their host community or communities.
My declaration of purpose can never be complete without noting that the National Youth Service under the New Direction has been built on dedicated service, sense of patriotism, and positive nationalism for a new Sierra Leone.
Let me thank you for honouring our invitation to attend this official inauguration and swearing-in ceremony.
Under the New Direction which is the Right Direction, I am certain that in unity we would make Sierra Leone great.
I thank you all.