Defence
FORMER Head of State, Retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on Wednesday,
commended National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as the scheme embarked on a one-day sensitisation
on NYSC Enabling Act.
Gowon, in a keynote address, said the sensitisation would help to provide necessary guidance to stakeholders
about the requirements and expectations of the NYSC.
He said that the event was significant because it highlighted the aim of creating the NYSC scheme, “which is
to foster unity and peaceful coexistence.”
The address was delivered by Retired Col. Ahmadu Ali, pioneer Director of NYSC and former Chairman of
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said “I commend the NYSC management for its foresight in taking this step to educate Nigerians on the NYSC Enabling Act.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this initiative will go a long way in providing appropriate guidance to stakeholders in their
role expectations.
“I consider this event significant as it serves as avenue for Nigerians to once again, call to mind the bold step we took 46 years ago.
“It was to provide platform for young Nigerians to play their roles in actualising our vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous
Nigeria.”
Gowon described NYSC as one of the most enduring national institutions which broadened the knowledge of corps members and
strengthened their belief in Nigeria.
Mr Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, said the NYSC had made
invaluable contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the country.
Adesola commended the scheme for ensuring indivisibility of Nigeria by building bonds among corps members from diversed social backgrounds.
He said “I salute past and present managers of the NYSC and corps members for keeping the vision of the founding fathers of the scheme alive.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that NYSC has made invaluable contributions to the social and economic development of our dear country.
“It is pleasing to note that the scheme has largely achieved the main goal of ensuring the indivisibility of the country.
“This has been possible through the lasting bond built among corps members of diverse ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds.”
The permanent secretary urged state governments to help improve condition in orientation camps in their states.
He condemned the idea of some Nigerian graduates who do not make themselves available for service, as well as attempts by
ineligible candidates to participate in the scheme.
He added that “while we celebrate the success stories of the NYSC, we must also ponder over some of the challenges faced by the scheme.
“I am aware of the dilapidated condition of some orientation camps with the attendant implications for operational efficiency
and welfare of corps members.
“It is instructive to note that the NYSC Act clearly saddles the state governments with the responsibility of providing and
maintaining orientation camps.
“Also worrisome are cases of some Nigerians who fail to make themselves available for service, as well as attempts by
ineligible persons to participate in NYSC.”
He warned that culprits of such infractions, if caught, would face appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the NYSC Act.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said that the sensitisation workshop was organised to
further push the success of the NYSC mandate.
Ibrahim said that the scheme recognised the importance of stakeholders in enhancing the achievements of the scheme.
He noted that the roles of stakeholders would be effectively played if they understood the provisions of the Act.
He said “this sensitisation workshop was organised in furtherance of our commitment to the success of the NYSC mandate.
“We as managers of the scheme recognise the importance of every stakeholder in our bid to enhance the achievements of
the scheme in line with the vision of our founding fathers.
“We recognised the need to provide avenue for enlightenment on the enabling Act and the various aspects of our operations.
“This is based on our firm belief that the roles of stakeholders are better played if the provisions of the enabling law are
clearly understood.”
He advised graduates of Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions, as well as Nigerian graduates of foreign
tertiary institutions to familiarise themselves with relevant provisions of the Act.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that part of the sensitisation workshop was a lecture delivered by
Prof. Peter Akper of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.
The lecture was on “The NYSC Act and National Integration Issues, Prospects and Challenges.’’
-NAN
BE
JULY 24, 2019 15:24 GMT
Tags: Gowon commends NYSC as scheme sensitises public on enabling Act
