NYSC @ 50: Buhari, Gowon, others receive golden jubilee award

By Okon Okon

President Muhammadu Buhari was conferred with a Golden Jubilee award on Saturday at an event, organised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to mark its 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Similar, former Head of state, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Brig.-Gen. Y.D. Ahmed, current Director-General of the NYSC, among others, were also conferred with the Founding Fathers’ and Golden Jubilee awards respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said he was glad with the excellent results being witnessed through the scheme which was initiated by Gen. Gowon to unite the nation after the civil war.

“It gladdens my heart that our father and founder of the scheme, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is physically present here today, hale and hearty, to witness the event, and accomplishments of this national asset he planted during his youthful age.”

According to Mustapha, who is also the special guest of honour at the event, the gathering for the awards is in recognition and celebration of individuals, groups and organisations who have been part of the success story of the NYSC scheme in Nigeria.

“While we relish on their enormous contributions, it is hoped that this recognition will inspire other individuals and organisations to join hands with the scheme as it refocuses greater energy on making greater impact on the Nigerian youth and the entire nation.

“Permit me to say that the Federal Government will stop at nothing in its determination to take the scheme to the next level in fulfillment of its dreams and aspirations.”

Mustapha said the government and people of Nigeria would remain grateful to successive batches of Corps members and managers of the scheme for their commitment to the realisation of its lofty objectives since it came into existence five decades ago.

In his remarks, Mr Sunday Dare who was represented by Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Permanent Secretary in the ministry of sports development, thanked the founding fathers for the sustainability of the scheme.

Dare also appreciated the board and the management of the NYSC under the leadership of Ambassador Fatima Abubakar for their efforts to ensure the successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the scheme.

He urged Nigerians to continue to support the scheme so as to enhance the desired vision of the initiative by the founding fathers.

The theme for the anniversary is,  ‘NYSC Five Decades of Fostering National Unity and Development’.

(NAN)