NYSC strengthens bonds among Nigerians – Educationist

A senior lecturer with Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, Dr. Robinson Okoro, says the NYSC scheme remains a vital tool of national integration and building affinity among Nigerians.

He said that the scheme has helped bolster the values of respect for the cultures, religions, and customs of the diverse ethnic groups in the country.

Okoro made the observation in his presentation at a public lecture in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday in Sokoto.

According to him, the scheme has not only achieved its objectives but also gone the extra mile in setting new milestones on inter-tribal marriages, family bonds, economic partnerships, and empowerment.

The lecturer said that the scheme has been adding value to the education, health, and community development sectors, which have been the greatest beneficiaries of the program.

“The scheme has also achieved a lot in addressing the imbalances that exist in society through the instrumentality of the Community Development and Special Projects, where corps members initiate and execute both group and individual projects.

“It provides the youth with a unique opportunity to understand the nature of diversity in Nigeria.

“Without such an opportunity, the youth may not appreciate the socio-cultural realities of their contemporary existence in the country,” Okoro said.

He said that in spite of some challenges, the NYSC scheme has also enabled Nigerian youth to explore a variety of life opportunities beyond their states.

“It fosters a sense of community and worth through interactions with experienced people,” he added.

Supreme reports that apart from the lecture, there was an exhibition of products and services as well as community development projects executed by corps members.

The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Usman Yakubu-Yaro, said all the products were made through the Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Development program of the scheme.

Yakubu-Yaro said the skill program was to prepare corps members to become self-reliant after the mandatory one-year national service.

He said NYSC has partnerships with Unity Bank, the Bank of Industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other financial institutions to provide entrepreneurship grants and soft loans to corps members.

The Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Sokoto State, Alhaji Bashir Musa, said the lecture highlighted the scheme’s achievements and reiterated that the state would continue to support the NYSC program.