The federal government on Thursday offered automatic employment to 110 ex-corps members in the federal civil service and scholarships for the pursuit of post-graduate studies up to doctoral level in any university in Nigeria.
Speaking at the virtual 2018/2019 President’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) honours award held at the State House in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari also announced cash rewards for the ex-corps members.
He directed the relevant government agencies to ensure timely implementation of all the incentives for the award recipients.
Urging the honorees to sustain the patriotic zeal that earned them the award, the president said: ‘‘It is noteworthy that the young men and women being honoured have excelled in the four cardinal programmes of the scheme, namely: Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-out, which formed the basis of assessment for the Honours Award.
‘‘On behalf of the government and the good people of Nigeria, I heartily congratulate those honoured on standing out from their peers in order to merit the honour being bestowed upon them.
‘‘You have proved yourselves worthy ambassadors of your respective families and the National Youth Service Corps. I am very proud of you and confident that the Award shall spur you to greater service to the nation and humanity,’’ he said.
He commended the founding fathers of the scheme saying the NYSC remains a bastion of national unity and integration by “exposing our youth to diverse cultures and traditions, thereby making them appreciate our similarities and diversities.”
“Through the Scheme, walls of ethnic stereotypes are pulled down, and bridges of unity built, especially with enduring friendships and relationships resulting from healthy interactions during the service year.
“This has strengthened the mileage covered in our quest to be a nation with one common vision and destiny despite our plurality,’’ he said.
To sanitise the mobilisation process of the scheme, Buhari directed the NYSC management to ensure that only those who meet the required criteria participate in the programme.
The president commended the NYSC participants for their contribution to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
He was particularly impressed by the NYSC members in the production of face masks, hand sanitizers, liquid soap, and several fabricated machines to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
“The enormous contributions members of the Service Corps are making to the improvement of our education, health and social sectors as well as rural development remain a shining testament to the Scheme.
“This has portrayed successive generations of Corps members as veritable agents of development,” he said.
For the 2018 set, Anyaogu Onyeyirichi Rejoice, who emerged first, served in Taraba State.
She won the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Award for the Best Female Corps Member in Community Development.
Dr. Eze Sunday Victor, who served in Jigawa State, came first in the 2019 set while Odion Jessica Eseohen took the second position in NCWS Award for Best Female Corps Member in Community Development.
