By Stellamaries Amuwa, ABUJA
The Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has commended the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for recording numerous achievements, including the promotion of national unity and integration since inception 50 years ago.
He also showered encomiums to the Corps for its intervention in critical areas of national economy such as education, agriculture, health, infrastructural development, science and technology, social and other economic sectors amongst others.
Osinbajo who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary lecture of the Scheme in Abuja on Monday, noted that the scheme was conceived as a pivot of national unity and integration to accelerate the process of national healing and rebirth after the unfortunate 30 months civil war, which left in its wake, a divided nation yearning for unity characterized by mutual suspicion and distrust among the citizenry.
The Vice-President who was represented by the Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu
said “the NYSC has continued to renew and make itself indispensable by evolving policies and programmes that have clearly identified it as a foremost institution for development in the country”.
He emphasised that “the heroic involvement of the NYSC and Corps Members in particular, as ad-hoc staff, in conducting elections since 2011 could be described as divine intervention.
“This no doubt salvaged Nigeria’s electoral system which was characterized by some mal practices in the previous elections”.
He added that “the collaboration between NYSC and INEC since 2011 is a watershed in Nigeria’s electoral history, as that has so far institutionalized free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Guest Lecturer and former Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said the scheme has been providing opportunities for youths to learn the diverse cultures that exist in the country.
Jega stated that “the corps members have made significant contributions to the development of Nigeria and has facilitated national integration which was one of the objectives of the scheme.
“NYSC is one of the best schemes established in Nigeria that needs to be sustained,” he said.
He also stressed the need for Corp Members to be paid descent allowances that can aid them carry out their functions, while commending the initiators of the NYSC scheme, especially Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd).
Prof Jega also pointed out that the scheme is facing challenges that need to be addressed, which includes welfare of staff and corps members and the need for NYSC to be voluntary with enough incentives.
Earlier in his speech, the Director-General, NYSC, Maj-Gen. Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, reiterated that in 50 years, the NYSC has effectively discharged its mandate, overcome operational challenges under several administrations to stand the test of time.
According to him, “this is better appreciated against the backdrop of the fact that some institutions that were established about the same time the NYSC birthed, or much after have gone under, being unable to weather the storms of existential threats”.
Gen. Ahmed emphasised that, “conscious of the dynamism of society, and in order to articulate a renewed vision for the Scheme, I have carefully outlined five policy thrusts, focusing on the welfare and security of both Corps Members and staff, research development, stakeholders’ engagement, capacity development and deepening the impact of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development as a sustainable means of addressing post-service unemployment.
“In further appreciation of the pivotal role played by the Corps in national development, some other African countries, desirous of the NYSC model have visited the Scheme on a study tour to find out how they can replace a similar Scheme in their domains”.
He reiterated that the inputs from stakeholders, erudite scholars and other well-meaning Nigerians during this ceremony will go a long way in charting a new course for the NYSC.
