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National Assembly opposes scrapping of NYSC, gets Buhari’s commendations

By Terhemba Daka and Kanayo Umeh, Abuja
11 June 2021   |   4:04 am
The call for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) may have suffered a setback, as the House of Representatives, yesterday, said it would not support the move.

Gowon, others seek better deal for corps member

The call for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) may have suffered a setback, as the House of Representatives, yesterday, said it would not support the move.

A member of the lower legislative chamber, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, had via a bill that scaled second reading recently on the floor of the House, sought abolition of the scheme founded 48 years ago to promote national integration.

But Chairman, House Committee on Youth, Yemi Adaramodu, insisted that the National Assembly had no plan to outlaw the programme.

According to him, the NYSC is the most successful national programme. Adaramodu, who was speaking at the unveiling of nine books and a film titled, ‘A Call To Service,’ to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the corps in Abuja, noted: “Anybody is free to sponsor a bill, but the Speaker and the rest of the House believe that the scheme has come to stay.

“The scheme is going nowhere and it is not the plan of the National Assembly to scrap it. I want to let you know that we are with you and for you. We are together.”

In his address, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), canvassed the establishment of a National Youth Service Trust Fund for empowerment of corps members post-service year.

The ex-leader, who spoke virtually, explained that the money would assist the graduates in actualising the vocational skills acquired under the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme.

The elder statesman faulted the clamour for the scrapping of the scheme, he birthed as military leader in 1973, maintaining that the initiative was making significant impact to the development of the country.

Stating that it is one of the best things to happen to Nigeria, Gowon added that the programme was exposing youths to life-changing opportunities and contributing immensely to the development of the nation.

NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim, said the daunting challenges notwithstanding, the scheme has become a national asset and a beacon of hope to Nigerian youths.

Also speaking, President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Okpeh Okpeh, held that the NYSC “is one of the significant institutions that is holding us together.”

MEANWHILE, President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the cordial relationship between his administration and the ninth National Assembly in the last two years.

The Nigerian leader, in his goodwill message to Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila to mark the occasion in Abuja, lauded the leaderships of both chambers of the federal legislature for diligently handling issues of national development. He also saluted the parliament’s “vision, courage and patriotism.”

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