By Abolaji Adebayo
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its full commitment to the success of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, disclosed this in his office in Abuja during the inauguration of the National Governing Board of the Scheme.
He said the scheme has made enormous contributions to the promotion of national unity and integration as well as the acceleration of development in various spheres, including education, health, infrastructural development, sports and social services, amongst others.
He explained that NYSC has remained a great source of pride to the Government and the entire country.
“Without doubt, all well-meaning Nigerians strongly recognise the continued relevance of the scheme, especially at this critical period of our national life,” Dare said.
The Minister called on the 10-member newly inaugurated Board to continue to get acquainted with the provisions of the NYSC Act particularly, as they relate to the roles and responsibilities of major stakeholders including the Board.
While acknowledging the daunting task before the Board, he expressed optimism that with the retention of the Chairman and some members of the immediate past Board who are versatile with the objectives, programmes as well as challenges of the NYSC, there is hope for a more robust administration to ensure more deliverables are provided for the Corp members.
Dare, who further urged the new Board to work collectively to build on the successes of the former board, affirmed the satisfaction of the Federal Government with the achievements of the present Management of the NYSC which, he said, has enhanced visibility of the scheme.
“I commend the excellent synergy between the immediate past Board and the Management, which contributed to the remarkable achievements recently made by the Scheme.”
He called on the Board members to come up with initiatives that will make the Scheme even more impactful and increasingly endearing to all Nigerians while also charging them to sustain the harmonious working relationship in line with the expectation of the present Administration.
The Minister, who also endorsed the proposal being made by stakeholders for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund, called on all stakeholders to support its actualisation as the initiative will not only strengthen the scheme but also serve as a sustaining source of providing start-up capital for the trained Corps members to actualise their business plans and in turn employ more Nigerians.
He added, that “as a sign of the Federal Government’s unflinching commitment to the NYSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the automatic employment of 10 direct siblings of the deceased NYSC members, who lost their lives during the 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State and also approved appropriate scholarships to the four children of Mr. Adowei Elliot.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako, had called on the newly inaugurated Board to merge their wealth of experience with the achievements of the former Board and also introduce innovative ideas with a view to taking the Scheme to higher levels.
He assured the Board that the Ministry will continue to support every bold step taken by the Board and Management of the Scheme in line with the policy thrust of the present Administration.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated NYSC National Governing Board, Amb. Fatima Abubabar, thanked the Muhammudu Buhari-led Administration for its unflinching support to the Scheme
She assured that the Board will not fail on its mandate but will do its best to meet up with the confidence reposed on it.
