The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has called on political and religious leaders to promote unity among the nation’s ethnic groups.

The former Vice President gave the charge in a statement he signed to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Youth Service Corps.

The NYSC scheme was established on May 22, 1973, by the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) to foster national reconciliation following a brutal civil war between the Nigerian State and the Republic of Biafra that claimed millions of lives, particularly children.

“I use this opportunity to call on politicians, religious leaders, and other opinion leaders to continue to encourage unity among the people because disunity feeds hate, which in turn, feeds conflicts. We should always make utterances that promote love and unity and avoid statements that stoke bitter divisions and intolerance.

“As we mark the 50th anniversary of the National Youth Service Corps in Nigeria, we are reminded that the scheme remains one of the most significant policies ever conceived in the country. We must also acknowledge and give credit to General Yakubu Gowon for introducing this brilliant idea aimed at consolidating national unity after the bitter memories of the tragic Nigerian civil war.

“Unity, which is also my agenda as a politician, is essential to building a strong country because a divided country is a weakened country.

“At the same time, I urge a review of the mandate of the NYSC scheme to reflect the demands of the current reality,” the statement read.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has announced the dates for the 2023 Batch A Stream II online registration exercise.

This was announced in a post on the Corps official Twitter page on Saturday.

The scheme announced that the registration would commence on Tuesday April 11, until Monday, April 17, 2023.

Recall that the Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, had in March unveiled a 22-man Inter-Ministerial committee to oversee the 50th year anniversary of the scheme, scheduled to hold in May.

Punch / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Acting Director General, NationaI Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mrs Christy Uba has advised corps members in Ekiti State to be patriotic in their service to the Nation.

Mrs Uba gave the advice in a message to the swearing in ceremony of the 2022 Batch C stream Two corps members held at the NYSC permanent Orientation Camp in Ise/Orun/Emure Ekiti.

The Acting DG whose speech was delivered by the Ekiti state coordinator, Mrs Mary Chikezie implored the new corps members to serve their fatherland diligently like their predecessors.

Do your best for the country, this scheme is an opportunity for you to contribute your quota to the growth of the nation.. Mrs Christy Uba said.

According to her, NYSC was established to promote nationaI unity and integration.

She charged them to also key into the skill acquisition programme so as to become employers of labour after their service year instead of Job seekers.

Let me tell you, there is no white collar job anywhere, skill acquisition is the way out of unemployment, please and please be focused. 

Mrs Uba equally told the corps members to abide by the rules and regulations of the camp by distancing themselves from cultism, indiscipline, drug abuse and negative use of social media to spread fake news.

Earlier, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji said Ekiti had benefited immensely from the scheme particularly in the areas of health and education, saying that his administration will continue to support the scheme.

Mr Oyebanji who was represented by the state Head of Service, Mr Bamidele Agbede congratulated the Corps Members on their mobilization, urging them to work hard in order to receive awards at the end of their service.

He told the gathering that government would continue to provide a conducive environment for the corps members to enjoy their stay in EKITI State.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye who was represented by Justice Olalekan Olatawura administered the oath on the one thousand, one hundred and thirty five corps members.

Amos Ogunrinde

A total of two thousand, three hundred Corps members of Batch C stream one on Tuesday, sworn to the oath of allegiance marking the beginning of their national service year in Osun State.

They include eight hundred participants dislodged from Lagos State and one thousand five hundred posted to Osun State.

The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Modupe Adepele-Ojo, who was represented by Justice Judith Olorunfemi administered the oath on the prospective corps members where they pledged to uphold the unity of Nigeria and contribute to her economic development through hardwork and disciplined conduct.

Declaring the orientation exercise open, Osun State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Abduwahab Olayinka emphasised their commitment to promoting Nigeria’s integration.
“I want you all to know that your role in ensuring that our identity as one nation is preserved is very critical at a time like this. I want you as true compatriots to commit yourself to the tenets of national integration and unity. Learn to embrace and respect one another’s differences. This is why the Orientation Course is very critical to the attainment of national unity and integration”.
“The NYSC Scheme is the vehicle that avails you the platform to practice what you have been taught in your various institutions providing you the needed opportunity to gain the prerequisite experience and skills needed to start you off on your career path in life.”

“The Scheme further avails you the leverage as patriotic citizens to contribute your quota towards nation building and integration. You have been drawn from different States, Cultural backgrounds, Religions and Ideologies and are brought together to integrate, interact and work as a team to achieve the lofty ideals of our founding fathers”.

She implored them to always put to positive use their various social media handles as Ambassadors of the NYSC and the nation at large. 
“Do not use your social media handles to spread hatred or peddle fake news but learn to spread love, kindness and happiness.”

The Osun NYSC coordinator advised the corp members to look inwards and strategize on how to contribute to the development of the people of the State with all the skills acquired in schools and during the orientation period.

Adenitan Akinola

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Mohammed Fadah has warned corps members posted to Osun State against staying out at night, acceptance of car ride from strangers, visitation to dangerous places and other acts that could endanger their lives during their service year.

This is contained in his address to the closing ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream two orientation course for corps members posted to Osun State.

In the address read by the Osun State Coordinator of the service, Mrs Abduwahab Olayinka, the Director General also advised them to shun acts capable of of portraying the NYSC in negativity, including drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime and advanced-fee-fraud among others.

Brigadier General Fadah who said the scheme was in constant liaison with security agencies and other Stakeholders with a view to ensuring their security advised them to cut short their trips anytime after six o’clock in the evening and pass the night at any NYSC lodge.

The NYSC boss also sought the support of for employer’s on the welfare of members posted to them.

“I urge you to mentor them properly to enable them develop their potentials. I also call on other Stakeholders, including state and local governments authorities as well as traditional rulers to give the necessary encouragement to the Corp members”. He said.

In her own address the state coordinator urged the participants not to forget the knowledge acquired during the orientation.

“Do not forget to step down the trainings you have acquired during the orientation course to the people of your host communitues.”

“Ensure you discharge your duties at your places of primary assignment with utmost sense of duty and be committed to the ethics of the organization you are posted to”.

Adenitan Akinola

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