The Federal Government has saluted the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the roles it has played since it was established about 50 years ago, in the areas of socio-economic and political development of the country.
According to the government, the Scheme which was established on the 22nd of May, 1973, is the leading light of youth organisations in Africa.
Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister for Youth and Sports Development, made the remark on Monday, in Abuja, while inaugurating a 22-member Inter-Ministerial Committee on the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Scheme.
Eddy Megwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, in a statement signed by the Minister, noted that NYSC must be celebrated for its remarkable achievements.
The statement reads, “The economic empowerment of Corps Members through entrepreneurship training initiative has brought to light the capacity of the NYSC as an organisation that is responsive to contemporary national needs.
“It is gratifying to note that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the Scheme is stirring the interest of Corps Members for self-employment and wealth creation.
He added, “The Scheme must be celebrated for its remarkable achievements in the promotion of national unity and integration, development of education, healthcare delivery, as well as social and infrastructural development, through its primary assignment and community development services”.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government recognises the NYSC achievements and decides to mark the Scheme’s milestone on what it has achieved over the past 50 years as a form of recognition.
While charging Members of the committee to work assiduously on its terms of reference, he assured them of government’s support.
The chairman, NYSC National Governing Board, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar commended the Minister for supporting the Scheme at all times.
Brigadier General YD Ahmed, the NYSC Director General, said that it is worthy to commend the positive roles of successive batches of Corps Members in the credible conduct of elections in the country, and their participation in other programmes like population census, immunisation exercise, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, fight against coronavirus among others.
In his response, the chairman of the Committee, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi promised the readiness of members of the committee to deliver its mandate as expected.
The programme afforded them the opportunity to observe a minute silence in memory of Corps Member Oreoluwa Aina who died in the Lagos train/bus accident a few days ago.
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