By Ngozi Nwankwo
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Barrister Nyesom Wike has reiterated the need for more robust youth empowerment that would prepare the Corps Members for their invaluable services to the nation.
Wike said the NYSC has been a cornerstone of national integration and socio-economic development of the country for the past fifty-one years.
The Minister stated this while declaring open the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop open in Abuja on Tuesday.
Wike, whose address was read by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud urged the workshop participants to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
“We are in a dynamic world where the needs of our communities are evolving rapidly. Therefore, our Prospective Corps Members must be prepared to meet these challenges with creativity, resilience and spirit of innovation.
“Your dedication to training and preparing our youth for the responsibilities they will undertake is commendable”, he added.
The Minister appealed to the workshop participants to use the opportunity to share best practices, explore new ideas, and collaborate on strategies that will enhance the effectiveness of the NYSC programme.
He also urged the participants to create an environment that fosters the growth of the youths and also empower them to realize their potentials.
In his welcome address, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Y Dogara Ahmed said the mobilization process is a very critical component of the service year that deserves all the seriousness as effective service delivery in a successful mobilization process cannot be over- emphasized.
He called on the participants to proffer solutions to observed challenges and also participate actively in the course of the programme.
“Management remains committed at ensuring that the right things are done at all times from the beginning to the end of the mobilization process.
“I urge everyone in our various corners to stand by approved standards as well as render service with integrity, transparency and compassion. The youths are looking up to us and we cannot afford to fail them”, the DG said.
The Director, Corps Mobilisation Department, Mr Abubakar Mohammed in his introductory address said the Scheme has recorded tremendous success in it’s mobilisation process as a result of numerous innovations and collaboration with stakeholders.
He added that the Scheme would continue to stem the tide of enrolling unqualified persons for national service.
The workshop with the theme; “Strengthening the NYSC Mobilization Process for Effective Service Delivery”, was attended by participants from all the Corps Producing Institutions across the country, heads of deployment and relocation in all NYSC 36 State Secretariats, including the FCT, representatives from NBTE, National Universities Commission,NUC, among others.