As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the scheme for its golden years of existence.
In a statement released on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the president saluted former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), for his wisdom in setting up the NYSC in 1973.
“I commend the former Head of State, past and present Directors General of the Corps, academic institutions, and the Nigerian Army for inspiring and sustaining a 50-year legacy and also providing an enabling environment for the success of the scheme,” he said.
According to him, the scheme has truly achieved the goal of national integration, by providing opportunities for cross-cultural interactions and establishing a bridge for improved understanding of various individual and ethnic identities.
He noted that the scheme has underscored the bottom line of the common values of fairness, justice, peace and unity.
“The NYSC scheme remains one the strongest ideals of nation building, institutionally encouraging inter-cultural and inter-religious marriages, resettling of people of various tribes in different parts of the country.
“Exploration of entrepreneurship and business opportunities in places, among citizens, and enabling a new culture of oneness, brotherliness and neighbourliness,” Buhari stated.
He affirmed that the scheme should be sustained, with a constant reminder of its history, structure and purpose, adding that it should not be undermined for any reason.
“As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the NYSC, President Buhari affirms that the scheme must be sustained, with a constant reminder of the history, structure and purpose, that should not be abused, trivialized or undermined for any reason, by keeping a focus on the larger picture that Nigeria’s unity is a process and a collective responsibility that must not be negotiated.”
Buhari also shared the joyous season of the milestone with all those that have enjoyed the adventures of the scheme, and have been sharing memories and pictures with nostalgia.
The President wished the best for all potential corps members as they move to different parts of the country, to share and explore new experiences of the diversity of Nigeria.
He recalled that one of the joys and highlights of his Administration has been the annual ritual of receiving corps members in his country home in Daura, Katsina State, during Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, and the conversations that follow in getting to know their various states, languages, family trees and educational institutions.
He noted that two visiting Presidents from Niger Republic and Guinea participated and enjoyed such interactions.
“President Buhari thanks the Nigerian Army, Directors General of the NYSC, and various private and public institutions for providing the enabling environment for the success of the scheme.”