The pioneer Chief Executive of the National Youth Service Corps, Colonel Ahmadu Ali (Rtd), has declared that the Scheme is here to stay.
Ali made this declaration during a meeting with the current Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who visited him at his residence in Abuja.
Ahmadu Ali stated that through its various programs, services, and positive visibility across the nation, the NYSC has endeared itself to the Nigerian populace and has advanced the case for its ongoing existence over the past five decades.
Colonel Ali, who was the National Director (now referred to as Director-General) of the NYSC, praised General Yakubu Gowon for his visionary leadership, which included the establishment of the NYSC in 1973, emphasizing that it is a lasting program with continued significance.
The first Chief Executive of the NYSC explained that the Scheme plays a significant role in promoting national unity. He remarked, “people have the opportunity to travel to other states that they ordinarily would not have visited.”
He reiterated that the NYSC equips young Nigerians with coping skills that they develop outside their comfort zones, thereby enhancing their tolerance for one another.
Colonel Ali also commended the administrators of the Scheme for their efforts in maintaining the vision of the founding fathers.
He expressed his pride in the NYSC, noting that the initial doubts expressed by Nigerian graduates, which led to protests against the establishment of the Scheme, have now transformed into anticipation and enthusiasm. He vowed to continuously pray for its ongoing sustainability.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, stated that the purpose of his visit was to pay respect to him as the founding Chief Executive of the NYSC, acknowledging the strong foundation he laid at its inception, which has continued to ensure the Scheme’s stability over 50 years after its establishment.
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