BENJAMIN OMOIKE
As the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marks its 50th Anniversary in Abuja, the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP, candidate in Edo state, Peter Okoeguale, has called for continuous support for the Scheme to continue its good work of championing the course of unity in the country.
Okoeguale urged well-meaning Nigerians to rally round the NYSC to consolidate on its numerous achievements of almost 50 years.
He said history would always be kind to all the Corps Members from inception till date, including past and present managers of the Scheme for their selfless services to the country.
The NNPP guber candidate made the call recently, while lending his voice to events marking the end of the week-long 50th Anniversary Celebration of the NYSC.
He commended General Yakubu Gowon for establishing the NYSC, which he said has developed the consciousness of nationhood and patriotic spirit in the youths over the years.
He added that the NYSC should be a major concern of all Nigerians because it is the seed of the future.
Okoeguale decried the alarming rate of the disappearance of Nigeria’s value system, while he advised the Corps Members to be determined to live a purposeful life with vision.
“Many of our leaders are products of NYSC. Great is the work of NYSC in how it has impacted our society through inter-cultural affinity. We need to come together and combat the challenges facing our nation.
“We should be more concerned about the future of our youths. We need to stand and work together as one,” he said.
He prayed for continued success in the Scheme’s activities, while stressing that the good future of the nation’s youths and Nigeria as whole, is non-negotiable and should be taken seriously.
Okoeguale further stated that the NYSC has weathered all storms from 1973 till date.
He said about six million youths have passed through the scheme.
“The Scheme has continued to grow in leaps and bounds and many Nigerian graduate youths who have passed through the NYSC are still making significant contributions to the growth of the country in their chosen careers,” he stated.
Concluding, he said that Nigerians owe God the gratitude for holding the scheme to date.
