NYSC at 50: The scheme has made invaluable impact in national development, says Dare

Sunday Dare, minister of youth development, on Monday, says the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme has kept faith with its objectives and sustained its relevance in the country’s development.

The minister, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the scheme in Abuja, described the NYSC as the leading youth organisation in Africa.

Dare also lauded the ingenuity of the leaders who bequeathed the programme to Nigeria and the persons whose unwavering commitment has led to its sustenance.

He added that the NYSC has made an “invaluable impact in various aspects of national development”.

“The hindsight of past presidents and heads of state has nurtured this scheme despite the odds that have threatened its existence. The NYSC has made an invaluable impact in various aspects of national development, including providing healthcare to rural communities, and also made legendary contributions to education and rural infrastructure,” Dare said.

“There have been acts of resourcefulness and benevolence, and the nation witnessed remarkable ingenuity from youth corps members during the COVID-19 pandemic and before then during the Ebola virus and HIV/AIDS pandemic.”

The minister applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s contributions to the scheme in the past eight years.

He also appreciated the president for the privilege to serve as minister for youth development.

He challenged the leadership of the scheme to see the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to evolve strategies to strengthen the scheme, make it more sustainable, and broaden its scope of operations to enhance its contributions to national development.