CELEBRATING OUR HEROS

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria, as well as the promotion of national unity. The scheme which some ill motivated persons tried to write off at inception and have constantly fired at for either not achieving or has outlived its primary purpose, has since grown to such a level of national importance and acceptance, to the extent that no one can today speak of national unity, or rural development, without mentioning the NYSC.

There is no aspect of the Nigerian social, cultural and economic life that the NYSC has not touched, or has not contributed meaningfully. The scheme has become a household name in the educational sector and has come to be acclaimed as one of the most effective and successful instruments in our continuing efforts at achieving a humane and egalitarian society, based on mutual understanding, trust, tolerance and a common vision of national destiny. It’s in view of this, I celebrate a hero, a national icon and a youth at heart, Former Nigeria’s Head of State, Rt. General Yakubu Gowon, who on 22nd May, 1973 promulgated the NYSC decree 24.

41 years on, the scheme has continued to grow with presence in the 36 states and the FCT. It’s arguably safe to say the incumbent average work force in Nigeria (age 25-59) at sometime passed through the scheme. Starting with 2,364 graduates in 1973, it now has 250,000 graduates passing through the scheme yearly. No fewer than 2 million Nigerian graduates have passed through the scheme since inception, said an Assistant Director in charge of Special Projects, Malam Muhammad Momoh. The scheme, which had helped the Gambia to have an institution similar to NYSC, was trying to replicate same in Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. It’s in view of this, I celebrate the staffs of the NYSC who have laboured endlessly to protect, project and uphold the integrity of scheme.

Corps members have continued to participate actively in the full course of the NYSC programme, which includes orientation course, primary assignment, community development service and passing out, focusing primarily on four sectors, Agriculture, Education, Health and Infrastructure. Corps members have been very supportive, participating in electoral activities, national identity management activities, national census, among others. Host communities have also benefited from corps members presence in their communities. And finally I celebrate all corps members who have answered the Clarion Call, serving honestly and faithfully, under the sun and in the rain, especially those who paid the supreme sacrifice for the fatherland in the course of service.