Sports Minister inaugurates NYSC board

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare

(Nigeria) The National Youth Service Corp, NYSC, remains a tool for national integration which fosters national development and unity for the benefit of Nigerian youth.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, made the disclosure while inaugurating the new NYSC Board for a three year tenure.

According to the Minister, "I wish to use this unique occasion to once again affirm the satisfaction of the Federal Government with the achievements of the present Management of NYSC, which has enhanced the visibility of the Scheme. Accordingly, I commend the Director-General, the Management team, Staff and Corps members whose collective efforts resulted in the successes recorded.  I expect that members of the Board will deploy the political influence at their disposal  to strengthen all levels of engagements aimed at sustaining the legacies of the scheme through continuous engagement with policymakers at various levels."

The  Minister revealed the FG commitment not to scrap the NYSC.

"The NYSC Scheme will be sustained. It has become an integral part of our national development and unity architecture. Nigerian youth continue to benefit from this scheme.

I consider it appropriate to use this forum to once again endorse the proposal made by stakeholders for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund. I am confident that such an initiative will go a long way in strengthening the Scheme and deepen its impact. Therefore, I appeal to all and sundry to support the actualization of the proposal. As a sign of the Federal Government’s unflinching commitment to the NYSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the automatic employment of 10 direct siblings of the deceased NYSC members who lost their lives during 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State. Mr President also approved appropriate scholarships to the four children of Mr Adowei Elliot," the Minister revealed.

The Chairman of the newly Inaugurated board Ambassador Fatima Abubakar thanked the President for all the support given to the board.

"On behalf of the Board, I promise that we will not fail you, we will do our best because of the confidence bestowed on us. As board members, we have always been conscious of the fact that we are one of the sensitive boards because we take care of the most sensitive segments of our population, the Nigerian youths.  I also urge every board member to bring in  their vast  experience and expertise for the benefit of the board and  Nigeria."

The Newly Inaugurated board members are: Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar,  chairman,  Mrs Binta Muazu, Maj. Gen. B O Sawyer,  Muhammad Aliyu, Prof Sulyman Abdulkareem, Prince Oyekunle Oyewumi, Umar Nalado, MrTaiwo Adeniyi and Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim,  DG NYSC.