By Charles Adingupu
Precisely 50 years after the scheme was inaugurated, President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) for the wisdom of setting up the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973.
The President noted with satisfaction that the scheme has truly achieved the goal of national integration by providing opportunities for cross cultural interactions, and establishing a bridge for improved understanding.
Buhari praised the former Head of State, and all Directors General of the Corps, past and present, for inspiring and sustaining a 50-year legacy that has strengthened the web of solidarity amongst Nigerians.
He noted that the NYSC has helped to ignite loyalty to the nation, broadened the horizon of citizens, promoted civic responsiveness, and created a better understanding of various individual and ethnic identities.
The President also noted that the laudable scheme has helped to consolidate the brotherhood we share as members of one nation irrespective of our diversities, and underscored our common values of fairness, justice, peace and unity.
He expressed optimism that the NYSC will remain one of the strongest pillars of nation building, encouraging inter-cultural and inter-religious marriages, and resettling of people of various tribes in different parts of the country.
Buhari further noted that the NYSC engendered the exploration of entrepreneurship and business opportunities in different places, removing insularity among citizens, and enabling a new culture of oneness, brotherliness and neighborliness.
As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the NYSC, the President insisted that the scheme must be sustained, with a constant reminder of its history, structure and purpose, and that it should not be abused, trivialized or undermined for any reason.
He said this would be achieved by focusing on the larger picture that Nigeria’s unity is a process, and a collective responsibility that must not be negotiated.
The President said he was sharing the scheme’s milestone with all those that have enjoyed the adventures of the scheme, and have been sharing memories and pictures with nostalgia.
While wishing potential corps members all the best as they move to different parts of the country, to share and explore new experiences of the diversity of Nigeria,
Buhari recalls 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 celebrations, and the conversations that followed in getting to know their various states, languages, family trees and educational institutions, and asking about their welfare.
He disclosed that two visiting Presidents from Niger Republic and Guinea Bissau participated and enjoyed one of such interactions.
Buhari moreover thanked the Nigerian Army, Directors General of the NYSC, and various private and public institutions for providing the enabling environment for the scheme to thrive.
