From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kogi on Monday embarked on a “Unity Walk” to celebrate the 50th year Anniversary of the Scheme.
The Unity Walk began at the NYSC State Secretariat, and terminated at the Government House Lokoja, where they were received by His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello.
In his remarks, Bello congratulated the NYSC Director General and the State Coordinator for the meaningful impacts and contributions the scheme had made in Nigeria for the past 50 years of its existence.
The governor, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omdara (rtd), commended the NYSC for identifying with Kogi Government on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary celebration.
He admonished the corps members to continue to foster unity among themselves and residents in the course of their service year in the state.
The governor urged them to remain focus and utilise the experiences and skills they acquired during the service year for the benefits of their future.
Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Musa Idris, commended the NYSC for contributing its own quota to the development of the state.
Idris, who doubles as the state’s Chairman NYSC Governing Board, said the scheme had impacted the country positively in all sectors of the economy as well as fostering national unity.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Janet Bajeh, the commissioner assured the NYSC of continued partnership with State Government to bringing development to the state.
In his remarks, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Pastor Mrs Mofoluwasho Williams, said they were celebrating five decades of fostering national unity and development in Nigeria.
According to her, the essence of the celebration was to recount the achievements of the scheme over the past 50 years.
Williams, who was represented by Mr Kingsley Musa, NYSC Asst. Director, Corps Discipline and Rewards, said the scheme had been able to live up to its mandate in fostering national unity and development in Nigeria.
The state coordinator assured that the NYSC would continue to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of Nigeria in all sectors of the economy and foster national unity.
“We will not relent, we will continue to do the needful to ensuring that Nigeria remain together”, she said.
The state coordinator commended the NYSC DG, Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, for the arrangements put in place for the celebration of the 50th anniversary.
The “Unity walk” was carried out simultaneously in both Lokoja, and Asaya Camp in Kabba.
The NYSC unity walk in Kabba was led by the State Coordinator herself, Pastor Mrs Mofoluwasho Adebimpbe Williams.
The NYSC was created on May 22, 1973 as an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the civil war.
The NYSC’s mandate was to ensure unity, eliminate prejudice and inculcate the spirit of industry among youths, skills acquisition and foster national unity and development in Nigeria.