NYSC Marks 53 Years as Officials Praise Role in National Unity and Youth Development

(Ekeng Ita Kubiangha. Photo by Daily Post)

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has been celebrated as a vital force for national unity and community development, with tributes paid to the scheme on the occasion of its 53rd anniversary.

The Osun State Coordinator of the scheme, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, made these remarks on Friday during an anniversary rally held in Osogbo to mark 53 years since the NYSC was established on May 22, 1973.

He described the scheme as a consistent bridge between Nigeria's diverse peoples, noting that its deployment of corps members to all corners of the country has kept it relevant in addressing both national and grassroots challenges.

Kubiangha highlighted the NYSC's role in promoting national integration and ensuring a more balanced distribution of skilled manpower across states and local government areas, pointing out that corps members can be found serving in every local government in the country.

He added that the movement of young graduates across different regions has helped foster mutual understanding among Nigeria's many ethnic groups while also improving service delivery in host communities.

He commended the Osun State Government for its continued support of corps members serving within the state, and affirmed that despite the various challenges facing the scheme, the NYSC has remained committed to its core mission of nation-building and youth development.

He further stressed the scheme's indispensable value to key national and international institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Orientation Agency, UNICEF, and the World Health Organisation.

While acknowledging concerns around insecurity in certain parts of the country, Kubiangha expressed confidence that the scheme had continued to thrive, attributing its resilience to divine protection.

Earlier at the event, the Director of the NYSC South West Area Office 1 in Osogbo, Olubukola Abiodun, affirmed that the scheme had firmly established itself as a permanent fixture in Nigerian national life.

She noted that over the five decades since its founding, the NYSC had made meaningful contributions across several sectors, particularly in education and healthcare, while also helping to prepare graduates for the demands of the labour market and future career opportunities.