After 46 years of its establishment, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is said to be one of the most enduring national institutions in Nigeria.
The founder and former head of State, General Yskubu Gowon, stated this Wednesday in Abuja while addressing stakeholders at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Legal Department of the scheme.
Gowon who was represented by the pioneer Director of NYSC, Col. (Dr) Ahmadu Ali, said the scheme has broadened the knowledge of the corps members and strengthened their belief in the country.
Gowon therefore called for participants to use the forum for further appraisal of the scheme’s performance and set agenda for its contribution to the growth and development of the country in the next decades.
The NYSC director General, Brigadier General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, said the NYSC Act has spelt out in clear terms the roles of stakeholders I’m such areas as the provision of essential facilities as well as the security and general welfare of corps members.
He said the scheme has made so much impact on the country over the past 46 years, especially in the areas of unity and socio-economic development.
“Our contributions to education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, science and technology, and rural infrastructure have continued to attract accolades,” he said
Ibrahim also warned that the scheme’s Act does not permit requests of corps members by professional bodies to specific areas of endeavours for primary assignment, saying such are not in tandem with the provisions of the NYSC Acts from which the posting policy is derived.
He therefore called on all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the scheme’s Act for better understanding of the policies and operations of the scheme.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Olusade Adesola, frowned at the abuse of the NYSc uniform through usage by unauthorized persons such as movie makers and advertising practitioners, saying prescription of sanctions should be strictly applied according to the Act.
Adeaola also for more support to the scheme adding that support to the scheme is a support to their some and daughters on special national assignment.
He therefore appeal to the state and local government to demonstrate greater concern and support to these crops of Nigerian youth by providing congenial atmosphere for the operations of the scheme in their respective states.
