DG NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, presenting award to the Minister of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu who represented the VP Prof Yemi Osinbajo. Photo, Sandra Udeike/Radio Nigeria
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has salvaged Nigeria’s electoral system and institutionalised free, fair and credible elections, according to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
In a speech at the opening of the 50th anniversary of the NYSC in Abuja, Professor Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, said the scheme has also made itself indispensable by evolving policies and programmes that identify it as the foremost institution for development in the nation.
In a lecture, A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, called for the repositioning of the NYSC for greater value addition to national unity, integration and development.
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Lawal promised that the State government would build more lodges and provide better welfare packages for corps members posted to the State.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the 50th anniversary of the NYSC was an opportunity to evolve strategies that would strengthen the Scheme, make it more sustainable and broaden its scope of operations.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Yushau Ahmed noted that the NYSC has contributed in all spheres of Education, Health, and Infrastructure development of the nation and deserved to be celebrated.
The NYSC was established 50 years ago by the General Yakubu Gowon-led Federal Government for national unity and integration, and to accelerate national healing and rebirth after the country’s 30-month-long civil war, which left the young nation deeply divided.
The scheme was also aimed at harnessing the potentials of young, educated Nigerian graduates towards the task of National development.
Reporting by Sandra Udeike; Editing by Daniel Adejo and Tony Okerafor