NYSC relevant to national integration — Olawumi
Editor
A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Johnson Olawunmi (retd), has described the scheme as still relevant to national integration and development, over 50 years after its inception.
He added that the NYSC has continued to live up to the ideals that informed its establishment and met the expectations of Nigeria in all ramifications, despite the challenges faced by the scheme.
This is contained in a statement by Caroline Embu the Director Information and public Relations of the NYSC and made available to journalist.
The statement further said Olawunmi emphasised that the relevance of the scheme could not be overemphasised, highlighting the NYSC’s notable achievements in the areas of community development, critical interventions in national programmes, unity, and cultural integration.
He said these have positioned the NYSC as a national instrument, building bridges across religious, socio-economic and cultural affiliations.
Olawunmi shared these views while interacting with the incumbent Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, who visited him in Abuja recently.
Speaking further, he extolled the sterling qualities of the NYSC staff, describing them as being among the best crop of personnel he had worked with. He enjoined General Ahmed to harness their potentials for effective leadership.
General Olawunmi disclosed that he has continued to monitor the activities of the scheme and offers his thoughts when necessary.
In his remarks, the NYSC Director-General, General Ahmed, said the purpose of the visit was to pay homage to his predecessor and seize the opportunity to applaud the tenacity and determination he displayed as the Chief Executive of the NYSC.
He particularly commended him for introducing the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme, through which corps members take healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of rural communities and indigent Nigerians, as well as the introduction of e-registration for corps members.
Major General Johnson Olawunmi served as the NYSC Director-General from January 2014 to April 2016.
