Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to review the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to reflect the demands of the current reality in Nigeria.
Atiku stated this on Monday as Nigeria celebrates the 50th anniversary of the NYSC scheme which was founded on the 22nd of May 1973 by the former head of state, Yakubu Gowon.
He said that as the country marks the 50th anniversary of the NYSC, Nigerians are reminded that the scheme remains one of the most significant policies ever conceived in the country.
Atiku called on everyone to acknowledge and give credit to retired General Gowon for introducing this brilliant idea aimed at consolidating national unity after the bitter memories of the tragic Nigerian civil war.
According to him, unity which is also his agenda as a politician is essential to building a strong country because a divided country is a weakened country.
Atiku called on politicians, religious leaders and other opinion leaders to continue to encourage unity among the people because disunity feeds hate, which in turn, feeds conflicts.
The flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 presidential election also urged Nigerians to always make utterances that promote love and unity and avoid statements that stoke bitter divisions and intolerance.
“At the same time, I urge a review of the mandate of the NYSC scheme to reflect the demands of the current reality,” Atiku tweeted.
The NYSC was created for the reconciliation, reconstruction and rebuilding of Nigeria from the devastation of three years of the civil war.
It was established based on decree No. 24 which stated that the scheme was created “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”.
