Joseph Bakare
Plateau State Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has appealed to stakeholders across the country to support the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its strategic role in national unity and socio-economic development of the country.
He lauded the Scheme’s achievements in the areas of education, health, rural infrastructural development, sports, provision of gainful employment for Corps Members among others.
Mutfwang, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Josephine Piyo also commended the Management for sustaining the dreams of NYSC founding fathers.
The Governor Stated made the call at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 NYSC Annual Management Conference held in Jos, Plateau State.
He said Management’s decision to expose Corps Members to the opportunities of acquiring skills during their service year is an evidence that the youths are on a steady path to financial independence.
“I appeal to stakeholders at the Federal, State and Local Government levels to join hands with the NYSC in this great march towards actualizing the Nigeria of our dream by providing skill acquisition centres for Corps Members at all levels”, he said.
In his welcome address, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said Management’s resolve to key into Federal Government’s policy on the achievement of food security informed the choice of the theme of the conference; “51 Years of National Service: Enhancing the Role of NYSC in Achieving Food Security”.
He stated further that the Scheme’s immense contributions to the promotion of national unity as well as key areas of development, such as education, agriculture, health, community development and youth empowerment have continued to endear it to Nigerians.
He said NYSC still struggle to cope with the ever-increasing Corps population and the consequent overstretching of Orientation Camp facilities and Corps Lodges, as well as lack of befitting office accommodation in some States.
“Its numerous achievements notwithstanding, the Scheme still faces some challenges mainly as a result of the dynamics of the operating environment and the non-discharge of the statutory responsibilities of some critical stakeholders”, he said.
The NYSC boss lauded the Federal Government for its support, especially through the prompt release of funds for NYSC operations and the provision of security, amongst others.
“I equally thank the various State Governments that have demonstrated commitment to the discharge of their statutory responsibilities as stipulated in the NYSC Act”, the DG said.
The Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Ahmed Wada Ikaka in his introductory address said the Annual Management Conference is a forum where Top Management and other key officers of NYSC meet to take stock of activities of the Scheme with a view to mapping out strategies and programmes that would consolidate on the gains and tackle the identified challenges for better operations.