NYSC@50: Gowon seek Presidential accent to NYSC Trust Fund
Former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent the proposed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund, that will provide startup capital to corps to finance their business.
Gowon who is the founding father of NYSC, also call on respective State Governments to intensify efforts on setting up and upgrading of the facilities in their Orientation Camps so as to provide a conducive environment that would enhance hitch-free training of Corps Members during their three weeks Orientation period.
General Gowon, on Wednesday at commissioning of the NYSC Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Scheme in Abuja, called on Nigerians, Corporate Organisations, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, Philanthropists, Religious Organisations, and other stakeholders to provide every necessary support to the scheme.
He said, “I am sure all of us alive today are very happy to join all well-meaning Nigerians within and outside this country to celebrate the laudable achievements of the NYSC which has remained a vital reference point and a tool for fostering National Unity and integration.
“The National Youth Service Corps in its five decades of tremendous contributions to National development has become a cynosure for other organizations within and outside the country.
“This is due to its role in the promotion of national unity and integration, free movement of labour enhancing manpower, improvement in education, effective participation in national assignments such as the conduct of elections and projected population census, development of culture and tourism, job creation, rural development, provision of free healthcare among other benefits. All these achievements have also attracted commendations from both local and international communities.
“In like manner, I salute all the successive batches of Corps Members from inception till date, who obeyed the clarion call to National Service and gallantly contributed immensely to the success of the scheme and the development of our fatherland.”
In his remark, NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, said the role of ICT in the 21st century cannot be over emphasized, mostly when organisations are moving from analogue to digital to promote delivery of excellence, fast, efficient, world class services with minimal errors and less human interference.
He said, “The vision of the Scheme is to become the leading light of youth organizations in Africa. This is premised on the fact that the youth, a vibrant segment of the national demography under the management of the Scheme has over the years been championing the use of ICT in bringing about a more efficient society, through their various ICT based and other services to the fatherland.
“Undoubtedly, the NYSC programme has since become an integral part of Nigeria’s national development strategy, providing a platform for these ICT savvy graduate youths to gain practical work experience, contribute to the development of their host communities, and promote understanding and cooperation among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
He said, “over the years, the operations of NYSC have become heavily challenged with tons of data in its daily activities owing to the increasing number of Corps members.
The introduction of ICT in its operations has become inevitable and an essential tool for the smooth running of all areas of Corps administration”, he said.
