NYSC@50: Buhari administration will be remembered for placing premium on youth development – Aisha Buhari
Nigeria First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has said that President Buhari administration will be remembered as one, which places premium on youth development.
Mrs. Aisha disclosed this at the launch of the medical outreach under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the scheme in Abuja.
She said, Mr President is particularly passionate about the NYSC, adding that his support for the Scheme is driven by his belief in one Nigeria, and, sincere appreciation of the contributions of these young men and women.
She said the Scheme has proved its relevance in facilitating unity, integration and development of the nation. As she called on Nigerians and partners to support the activities of Corps Members to help boost the economy.
“It is notable that the scheme has made enormous impact, especially among rural dwellers, which has continued to attract commendation from both within and outside the country.
“While I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating the NYSC at 50, I call on the Management of the Scheme as well as the Corps Members not to relent their efforts in promoting unity of the country by providing quality service delivery to the Nation irrespective of State or place of service.
“I have noted with great satisfaction, the giant strides of the Scheme through the provision of health care to Nigerians.
She said, the introduction of the HIRD programme has largely been successful. “As part of my Office’s appreciation, the donation of a well-equipped mobile clinic to the Scheme is to enhance the success of the Corps Medical team. I am sure that this facility would continuously assist in this respect.
“I am optimistic that the commemoration of the five decades of NYSC’s existence, couple with the introduction the HIRD outreach, will further validate the argument for the continued relevance of the Scheme”, she said.
In his remark, NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, said since its establishment five decades ago, the National Youth Service Corps has remained an enduring platform for the mobilization of human and material resources for the actualization of the Nigeria of our dream.
He said, “Like other developing countries, Nigeria faces challenges in its health sector, but concerted efforts are being made by various stakeholders, including the NYSC, with a view to making the system more functional.
“As a Scheme that has continued to expand its frontiers in the delivery of services to Nigerians, NYSC launched its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme in 2014. It is a platform through which Corps medical personnel comprising Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, and Dentists, amongst others, provide free and quality health care for the people, especially the rural poor.
Brigadier General Ahmed, however noted that, so far, over three million Nigerians have benefitted from this initiative. “The outreach being flagged-off today comes just five weeks after a similar one we conducted at the IDP Centre, Malaysia Garden, Abuja, where people came out in large numbers to receive free treatment for various medical conditions.
“We made other special interventions such as the administration of vaccines, sensitization of the community on HIV/AIDS prevention and sanitation, among others”, he said.
