President Muhammadu Buhari was conferred with a Golden Jubilee award on Saturday at an event, organised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to mark its 50th Anniversary Celebration.
As well, former Head of state, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Brig.-Gen. Y.D. Ahmed, current Director-General of the NYSC, among others, were also conferred with the Founding Fathers’ and Golden Jubilee awards respectively.
Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), who was special guest of honour , said he was glad with the excellent results being witnessed through the scheme which was initiated by Gen. Gowon to unite the nation after the civil war.
“It gladdens my heart that our father and founder of the scheme, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is physically present here today, hale and hearty, to witness the event, and accomplishments of this national asset he planted during his youthful age.”
According to Mustapha, the gathering for the awards is in recognition and celebration of individuals, groups and organisations who have been part of the success story of the NYSC scheme in Nigeria.
“While we relish on their enormous contributions, it is hoped that this recognition will inspire other individuals and organisations to join hands with the scheme as it refocuses greater energy on making greater impact on the Nigerian youth and the entire nation.
Permit me to say that the Federal Government will stop at nothing in its determination to take the scheme to the next level in fulfillment of its dreams and aspirations.”
Mustapha said the government and people of Nigeria would remain grateful to successive batches of Corps members and managers of the scheme for their commitment to the realization of its lofty objectives since it came into existence five decades ago.
On his part, Mr Sunday Dare who was represented by Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of sports development, thanked the founding fathers for the sustainability of the scheme.
Dare also appreciated the board and the management of the NYSC under the leadership of Ambassador Fatima Abubakar for their efforts to ensure the successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the scheme.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support the scheme so as to enhance the desired vision of the initiative by the founding fathers.
In the same vein, Cleric calls for Support, Pray for NYSC AT 50.
As National Youth Service Corps NYSC rounded up it’s activities lineup for the scheme 50th anniversary with a thanksgiving service, The Chaplain in Charge of Sunday Service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, Rev. Mike Agbon has urged well-meaning Nigerians to rally round the NYSC to consolidate on it’s numerous achievements of almost fifty years.
The Cleric stated this in his sermon at the non-denominational thanksgiving service marking the end of the week-long 50th Anniversary Celebration of NYSC, held at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
He said history would always be kind to all the Corps Members from inception till date, including past and present managers of the Scheme for their selfless services to the country.
He commended General Yakubu Gowon for establishing the NYSC, which he said has developed the consciousness of nationhood and patriotic spirit in the youths over the years.
Rev. Agbon added that the NYSC should be a major concern of all Nigerians because it is the seed of the future.
Quoting from 1John 2:15-16, Agbon decried the alarming rate of the disappearance of Nigeria’s value system, while he advised the Corps Members to be determined to live a purposeful life with vision.
“Many of our leaders are products of NYSC. Great is the work of NYSC in how it has impacted our society through inter-cultural affinity. We need to come together and combat the challenges facing our nation.
We should be more concerned about the future of our youths, we need to stand and work together as one,” the cleric said.
The Officiating Minister prayed for continued success in the Scheme’s activities, while sonorous songs with lyrics rent the air during the thanksgiving session.
In his address, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, represented by the Director, ICT, Mrs Christy Uba said the NYSC has weathered all storms from 1973 till date.
He said about six million youths have passed through the Scheme.
“The Scheme has continue to grow in leaps and bounds and many Nigerian graduate youths who have passed through the NYSC are still making significant contributions to the growth of the country in their chosen careers”, Ahmed stated.
He added Nigerians owe God the gratitude for holding the Scheme till date.
In attendance at the service was an Ex-Corps Member and a former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr James Nggilari, Members of the 50th Anniversary Committee, NYSC Directors, Staff, Corps Members and pressmen.
