President Muhammadu Buhari has offered automatic employment to 110 ex-corps members in the Federal Civil Service and scholarships for the pursuit of post-graduate studies up to the doctoral level in any university in Nigeria.
Speaking at the virtual 2018/2019 President’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), honours award ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, President Buhari, also announced cash rewards for the ex- corps members.
He directed the relevant government agencies to ensure timely implementation of all the incentives for the award recipients.
Urging the honourees to sustain the patriotic zeal that earned them the award, the President said It is noteworthy that the young men and women being honoured to have excelled in the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, namely: Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-out, which formed the basis of assessment for the Honours Award.
‘‘On behalf of the Government and the good people of Nigeria, I heartily congratulate those honoured on standing out from their peers in order to merit the honour being bestowed upon them.
‘‘You have proved yourselves worthy ambassadors of your respective families and the National Youth Service Corps. I am very proud of you and confident that the Award shall spur you to greater service to the Nation and humanity,’’ he said.
The President in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity Femi Adesina also used the occasion to commend the founding fathers of the 48-year-old scheme, notably General Yakubu Gowon, who joined the occasion virtually.
President Buhari stressed that NYSC has remained a bastion of national unity and integration by exposing our youth to diverse cultures and traditions, thereby making them appreciate our similarities and diversities.
On efforts to sanitise the mobilisation process of the Scheme, the President directed NYSC management to ensure that only those who meet the required criteria participate in the one-year national service.
President Buhari praised Nigerian youths on National Service for frontally confronting and remaining at the forefront of the war against COVID-19 pandemic.
The President noted that the inherent innovation and resilience of Nigerian youths, which members of the Service Corps demonstrated through the production of face masks, hand sanitizers, liquid soap, and several fabricated machines, contributed towards curtailing the spread of the pandemic.
Commending the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and NYSC for the dogged implementation of the self-reliance programme of government for the youths, the President urged them to sustain the tempo of their activities in this direction.
Declaring that his administration has an abiding faith in the Nigerian youth, the finest part of which Corps members belong, the President said he had demonstrated this belief by signing the “Not too Young to Run” bill into law, so as to accommodate youth in the political landscape.
President Buhari also urged Nigerian youth to avoid all economic and social vices that are contrary to the wellbeing and progress of the country, admonishing them to adopt a collective approach, premised on sound values to build a great nation.
A highpoint at the combined Presidential Honours Award was the reading of citations of the best awardees for each service year.
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For the 2018 set, Anyaogu Onyeyirichi Rejoice, who emerged first, served in Taraba State.
Anyaogu won the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Award for the Best Female Corps Member in Community Development.
Dr. Eze Sunday Victor, who served in Jigawa State, came first in the 2019 set while Odion Jessica Eseohen came 2nd in NCWS Award for Best Female Corps Member in Community Development.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
