The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has asserted that the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, is an accomplished institution going by the outstanding achievements recorded in the last five decades.
The deputy governor made the assertion in his goodwill message delivered during the 50th anniversary lecture held at St. Matthias Anglican High School, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.
Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, posited that the benefits of the NYSC were too fundamental and material to the existence of Nigeria, declaring the scheme had made giant contributions to national development.
“All we need to do as a nation is to ensure that all hands in the private and public sectors be on deck to invest more in the scheme through improved funding and material support. We must also strive to improve on it where necessary, to make it stronger and guarantee its continuous relevance.
“In the last five decades, we have seen how the NYSC has provided a platform for the youths to know Nigeria and explore the opportunities that lie in regions or states under than their own. The scheme has also provided massive labour in terms of personnel supply to the public and private sectors at highly subsidised cost,” he opined.
He praised the state coordinator and her team for the remarkable leadership they have been providing for the members of the service corps, describing the NYSC Ondo State boss as a personality that had brought so much passion, dedication and incredible energy to her job.
“A lot of times, it is very easy to notice the passion of a caring mother who takes safety of her children (the corps members) as the first priority. We applaud the entire management and members of Ondo State chapter of the NYSC. We urge you all not to rest on your oars, while assuring you of the continued support of the state government to the NYSC scheme”
Delivering the anniversary lecture on the topic, NYSC: Five Decades of Fostering National Unity and Development, the Guest Lecturer, Dr. Adedayo Adedeji asserted that there could be no programme involving intelligent and well exposed youth than the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
Dr. Adedeji who retired as Deputy Registrar, Academics, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko said that NYSC had contributed in diverse ways to the development of Nigeria but it has not been adequately appreciated.
He called for better funding and improved welfare for the managers of the scheme, stressing that managing restive youths required wisdom, tenacity and commitment.
Earlier in her welcome address, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani, posited that establishment of NYSC 50 years ago was a deliberate public policy to ensure the realisation of the Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction under the administration of retired General Yakubu Gowon after the civil war.
He words: “The intention of the founding fathers is to establish a scheme that will raise new crop of disciplined and detribalised Nigerians by allowing youths to undergo national service in states other than their own with the aim that their deployment will continue to foster national unity and development.
“I am happy to report that the National Youth Service Corps since its establishment some five decades ago has been promoting peace and encouraging mutual understanding of the common ties among Nigerian youths thereby fostering national unity. The objectives have been achieved and this is the reason why we are rolling out drums to celebrate the milestone.
“The achievements of the National Youth Service Corps are humongous as every household has benefitted and still benefitting from the noble scheme. I therefore enjoin everyone here present to continue to avail us your love and support in diverse ways you know that you can be of assistance to us.”
Ani declared that the management was ready to surmount whatever life place before the scheme, and boasted that NYSC had survived the dark days and was marching forward with renewed hope and improved better service delivery to its principal stakeholders- the graduate youths.
She thanked the government and the people of Ondo State for their unalloyed support to the scheme always, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for providing adequate security for corps members and continuous surveillance of Corps Lodges and other residential abode of the corps members.
She also thanked other critical stakeholders as well as organised private sector, established associations and other strong supporters of the scheme.
Fourteen members of staff received Long Service Award, one received Staff Merit Award while some employers bagged Best Corps Employers Award and others in Best NYSC Friendly Local Government Award as well as Best NYSC Friendly Host Community Award.
The event had in attendance a galaxy of distinguished guests which included Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akureland, and Oba (Dr.) Ajibade Gbadegesin, Ogunoye III, the Olowo and Paramount Ruler of Owo Kingdom.
Others are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola; Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Youth and Students Matters, Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi; the Chairman, Forum of Heads of Federal Government Establishment and Institutions in Nigeria, Ondo State Chapter, Pastor Emmanuel Olatunde Adejuwon; retired Deputy Director of NYSC, Mr. Olayiwola Lasaki; Commander of Narcotics, Raji Mumini Kayode, State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, the representatives of Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade; Commissioner of Police; Federal Road Safety Corps and others.
The NYSC Ondo State Cultural Troupe and Parade and band entertained at the event.
