NYSC Has Come to Stay, Says Pioneer DG Ahmadu Ali
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The pioneer Chief Executive of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Colonel Ahmadu Ali (retd.), has declared that the scheme has come to stay, citing its enduring relevance in promoting national unity and development.
Ali made the assertion while receiving the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, who paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, the former NYSC boss noted that the scheme had, through its programmes and services, continued to endear itself to Nigerians more than five decades after its establishment.
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He commended Nigeria’s former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, for his visionary leadership which led to the establishment of the NYSC in 1973, describing the initiative as an enduring programme with sustained relevance.
Ali, who served as the first National Director of the scheme, said the NYSC had significantly fostered national unity by giving young Nigerians the opportunity to live and serve in parts of the country outside their comfort zones.
According to him, the exposure has helped corps members develop tolerance and better understanding of diverse cultures across the country.
He also applauded successive managers of the scheme for sustaining the vision of its founding fathers, noting with pride that initial resistance by Nigerian graduates had given way to enthusiasm and anticipation for national service.
Ali further pledged his continued support and prayers for the sustainability of the scheme.
In his remarks, Nafiu said his visit was to honour the pioneer NYSC chief and acknowledge the solid foundation he laid, which has ensured the scheme’s stability over the years.
He commended Ali’s administrative competence and leadership, noting that the NYSC remained indebted to him for successfully navigating the early challenges of the scheme and setting it on a path of growth.
