By Ezeocha Nzeh
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said at the weekend that he would present the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund proposal to the Federal Executive Council in the first quarter of next year for deliberation and approval
This is even as the NYSC has deepened its push for national unity with the unveiling of its premiere movie titled, ‘A Call to Service’, in Abuja
The Minister who was a special guest at the unveiling of the premiere movies expressed his satisfaction with the timing, noting that it came few weeks and months of debate on the relevance of the NYSC at the National Assembly
“This movie will appropriately give the answer to the critics of this debate. After this premiere, this movie must travel all parts of this country and beyond because NYSC has come to stay.
“I thought I am a workaholic until I met my match in the DG, General Shuaibu. Sometimes he makes me feel guilty because of his dedication and approach to work. We have seen his impactful leadership and he has even made my job easier as a Minister because most time I call him to discuss an initiative, I will find out that he was already doing or has plans to start such programme.
“He would not have achieved it without the directors and staff of the Scheme. This movie is a rallying point for the Scheme and will ensure that the NYSC Trust Fund is eventually approved. Probably, by the end of the first quarter of next year, when we would have done everything necessary, I will present the memo to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund,” he promised.
Earlier in his speech during the unveiling, the Director-General, of the NYSC Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, described the movie as an advocacy and sensitisation tool expected to influence greater commitment of stakeholders to their responsibilities.
“The movie will encourage local and foreign-trained Nigerian graduates that are eligible for National Service to immediately make themselves available for service upon graduation as well as avoid infractions such as absenteeism, abscondment, and certificate forgery,” he said..
“We not only make it responsive to contemporary national needs but also ensure adequate publicity for our programmes and achievements,” the DG said.
The DG assured that the Scheme will continue to provide opportunities for corps members to develop their potentials, adding,“we have produced several short films aimed at sensitizing the public on issues such as elections, safe blood donation, and campaign against open defection.
“We have established the NYSC National Cultural Troupe which is equally aimed at developing talents of the corps members in drama and cultural performances.
“Since its establishment, NYSC National Cultural Troupe, now commercialised has performed at both formal and informal functions, dazzling its audience with an outstanding display of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The three-hour movie which was produced by an ex-Corps Member, Jairuspaul Osazuwa, and directed by Emmanuel Eyaba, featured Pete Edochie, Toyin Abraham, Belinda Effah, Anita Asuoha (real Warripikin), and other Nollywood stars.
