Former Head of the State-Federal Republic of Nigeria and Elder Statesman General Dr Yakubu Gowon rtd. has expressed support for the proposed NYSC Trust Fund.
Gowon expressed happiness with the progress being made on the legislative process towards the passage of the bill on the establishment of the Fund at the National Assembly.
“I look forward to the conclusion of these processes and the eventual take-off of the Trust fund, which promises to be a game-changer for the NYSC, our graduates youths and the Nigerian economy” he said.
He stated this at the official commissioning of NYSC TV and Radio 88.3 fm on Thursday in Abuja.
He described the establishment of the National Youth Services Corps’ Television and Radio as a veritable tool for driving the quest for national unity: cohesion and purposeful development of Nigeria as a country.
It would be recalled that the former Nigerian leader founded the scheme in 1973.
According to him the inauguration of these outfits is one of the greatest achievements of the scheme in recent times.
He urged the NYSC Management to sustain the tempo of its ongoing strides which have kept the Scheme in the national and global limelight.
According to him, there is no gainsaying the fact that the Scheme has in almost five decades of its existence successfully harnessed the potentials of our graduate youths as models for defining patriotism, credible and quality leadership as well as economic regeneration.
“These Media outfits will no doubt contribute towards enhancing and sustaining the capacity of the Scheme to consolidate its achievement as well as reach out to its global audience. In particular, they will serve as veritable tools for driving our quest for national unity: cohesion and purposeful development.
“I am always delighted to note that Corps members have continued to render patriotic and selfless services to our dear country, especially as active participants in the implementation of national programmes such as elections, immunization, population census, advocacy programmes on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and HIV/AIDS campaign, amongst others.
“I will commend the Scheme for sustaining its intervention in these critical areas, it is my sincere hope that these and other achievements would be given the widest publicity by the NYSC Radio and Television Stations in order to elicit increased support from the general public.”
He also appealed to all and sundry to give more support to the Scheme in its arduous task of promoting national unity, integration and development in line with our vision.
In his address NYSC Director -General Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim said the Scheme through successive Corps Members has made meaningful contributions to national development in various aspects of national life such as unity and integration, education, health, infrastructure, and participation in national elections amongst others.
“The establishment of NYSC Radio and Television is part of the whole gamut of activities designed to further advance the cause of the Scheme, which today symbolizes national unity, and is in the forefront of raising a crop of youth entrepreneurs that contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Products through their exposure to the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training. While the NYSC Radio broadcasts Channel 88.3 FM in Abuja the NYSC Television runs on TStv Channel 365.
“The philosophy behind the establishment of these stations is multifaceted.They will educate and entertain: give the Scheme a stronger voice to propagate the programmes and sensitize Nigerians on the policies of government, in addition to the promotion of national unity, national ethos, as well as values reorientation. Thus, they will contribute to redirecting the mindsets of Nigerians, especially the youth, towards things that are noble.”
He applauded General Yakubu Gowon GCFR, as well as support, given by numerous public-spirited Individuals and organizations including those that donated equipment and an operational vehicle to these Stations.
He pledged that NYSC Television and Radio Stations will always abide by the code of conduct guiding the broadcast industry in Nigeria.
