The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Friday, reiterated its commitment to deepening the existing synergy with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed this while receiving the Director-General of the BPP and members of his entourage in Abuja.
Nafiu appreciated the support from the Bureau in the Scheme’s procurement process over the years, which followed due process.
In a statement, the NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, said BPP is a regulatory body that should be supported to enhance accountability, professionalism, standardisation, and optimisation of government resources that have been committed to the various MDAs.
He said, “We will continue to collaborate, take a cue, and follow due process so that we don’t fall out of line. We have a Community Development Service (CDS) group, through which we can deepen our collaboration.”
Speaking earlier, the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, said there was a need to stem the tide of corrupt practices in the country.
He said the bureau’s ongoing changes in the procurement process must be known and adhered to by all Nigerians.
The BPP boss, while commending the NYSC Director-General for his commitment to due process in the Scheme’s procurement activities, also said NYSC plays a critical role in national development, as it is the only institution that can build the next generation of Nigerians.
He added, “That will love Nigeria, serve Nigeria, and also keep the hope of the next generation—the next step of people that can drive Nigeria’s engineering and infrastructural development.”
He also hailed NYSC for grooming the youths who will develop the country’s agricultural industry and drive value for money through entrepreneurship.
The BPP boss said efforts must be in top gear to build the mindset of Nigerian graduates for national development.
He added that part of their responsibilities at the BPP is to engage in public advocacy and enlightenment, where they collaborate with regulatory bodies and specialised agencies to inculcate the basic principles of procurement practices.
Adebowale stated further that the BPP would continue to ensure that government agencies perform maximally in their statutory responsibilities.
He requested participation in the Orientation Course, where they will sensitise Corps Members on the important roles of procurement in national development, and also the values of ongoing reforms through due process, managing national assets, among other benefits.
He added, “We are here to seek further collaboration and strengthen the existing partnership with NYSC to drive national growth and economic development.”
