Ex-NYSC DG Olawunmi Affirms Scheme’s Relevance After 50 Years
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC Johnson Olawunmi, has said the scheme remains a vital tool for national integration and development more than five decades after its establishment.
Olawunmi, a retired Major General, stated this during an interaction with the incumbent NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
He noted that despite various challenges confronting the scheme, it had continued to live up to the ideals that informed its creation and met national expectations.
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“The relevance of the NYSC cannot be overemphasised. Its contributions to community development, national programmes, unity, and cultural integration have remained significant,” he said.
The former DG added that the scheme had become a unifying platform, fostering relationships across religious, socio-economic, and cultural divides.
Olawunmi also commended the quality of NYSC personnel, describing them as one of the best sets of staff he had worked with, and urged the current leadership to harness their potential for effective administration.
He disclosed that he had continued to monitor the activities of the scheme and offers guidance when necessary.
Responding, Nafiu said his visit was to honour his predecessor and acknowledge his contributions to the growth of the scheme.
He praised Olawunmi’s leadership, particularly noting the introduction of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the e-registration system for corps members.
According to Nafiu, the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers has enabled corps members to provide healthcare services to underserved rural communities and indigent Nigerians.
Olawunmi served as NYSC Director-General from January 2014 to April 2016.
