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President Buhari grants automatic employment to 65 Former-NYSC members

Published

3 years ago

May 19, 2023

174 Views

At least 65 former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), have been granted automatic employment in the Federal Civil Service by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja, highlighting numerous achievements of the scheme since its establishment 50 years ago.

At the NYSC 50th Anniversary Honours Award held at the State House Conference Centre, the president said out of the 65 recipients, 52 individuals received the Presidential Honours Awards, while the remaining 13 were physically challenged ex-corps members recognized under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

In addition to the employment, President Buhari also disclosed that both groups would be awarded scholarships to pursue their education up to the Doctorate Degree level at any university of their choice within the country, while also announced a cash prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira for each of the top award winners, and Two Hundred Thousand Naira for other award recipients, including the physically challenged ex-corps members under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

Consequently, the president issued a directive to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission and the Honourable Minister of Education to ensure adherence to the employment offer and the granting of scholarships.

President Buhari also used the occasion to pay tribute to corps members from the batches being honoured, who lost their lives under various circumstances while serving the nation.

The president also sympathized with the ex-corps members who sustained varying degrees of disability during the service year, acknowledging their significant sacrifices for the progress of the country and assuring them that the nation stands in solidarity with them.

‘‘Your labour shall not be in vain,’’ he said.

The president also congratulated the founding fathers, and past and present managers of the NYSC on the Scheme’s Golden Jubilee, commending their enduring faith, which has maintained NYSC as a vital platform for mobilizing the youth towards national unity and development.

President Buhari praised all Nigerians who have answered the call for National Service in the past fifty years for their patriotic zeal and commitment to the NYSC mandate.

He emphasized that it has justified its establishment as an interventionist agency, with a core mandate to foster national unity across the country, thereby breaking down ethnic suspicions and divisions.

‘‘The multiplicity of marriages contracted over the years by Corps Members, cutting across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion in no small measure, justifies my assertion,’’ he said.

President Buhari also expressed his deep appreciation to Yakubu Gowon, the founding father of the scheme, who conceived the idea of the corps and brought it to fruition on 22 May 1973.

According to Buhari, ‘‘The NYSC has continued to afford successive batches of corps members as the veritable platform to make meaningful contributions, in the various spheres of our national life,’’.

The president specifically commended the corps members for their role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by producing and distributing essential items such as face masks, hand sanitisers, and liquid soap, and providing food and other relief materials to needy people across the country.

He also applauded their discipline and neutrality when serving as ad hoc personnel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including during the 2023 general elections, which contributed to enhancing the credibility of the electoral system.

Furthermore, President Buhari acknowledged the corps members’ contributions to the successful implementation of the Social Intervention Programmes such as N-Power and the School Feeding programme through beneficiary enumeration.

‘‘I hasten to state without equivocation that with the quality of youths such as these, the future of this country, which rests upon their shoulders, is guaranteed. I give kudos to my dear diligent, patriotic and virile youths. You have done very well, and the nation is very proud of you.

‘‘The success story of the fifty-year-old noble scheme will be incomplete without conspicuous mention of your outstanding contributions,’’ he said.

Recognizing the crucial role of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme in diversifying the national economy towards a more production-oriented model, President Buhari assured continued government support for youth initiatives.

He highlighted the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), with a budget of N75 billion, as an example of empowerment initiatives aimed at promoting youth-related activities and fostering a better Nigeria.

The president commended the NYSC management for its efforts in revenue generation and encouraged them to sustain their commitment.

He also appreciated the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers implemented by the NYSC and recognized the support of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, who donated a well-equipped ambulance for the operation of the NYSC Mobile Clinic.

President Buhari called on individuals and corporate bodies to emulate this gesture to enhance access to quality healthcare, especially in rural communities.

Regarding ongoing discussions on the need to reinvent the NYSC through the establishment of a Trust Fund, President Buhari said he has been ‘‘briefed adequately’’ on the matter and commended the Management for the initiative.

He pledged his support for any genuine effort aimed at assisting the scheme in achieving its time-tested objectives.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, while commending the former corps members chosen for the Presidential Honour, said their sacrifices and commendable contributions, reflect the positive values they embodied during their service year.

“By distinguishing yourselves among hundreds of thousands of Corps members, you embody the nation’s pride and serve as a source of inspiration for other young people in Nigeria. Your strong sense of discipline, selflessness, dedication to work, exceptional community service, innovation, and leadership qualities enhance our hope for the country’s future. I am confident that this Award will motivate you to render even greater service to our homeland.

“To the current corps members and other young individuals, it is my sincere hope that you will emulate these awardees by embracing higher ideals of patriotism. In everything you do, always prioritize Nigeria and let it manifest through sacrifice and dedicated service to our beloved nation,” he said.

Mr Dare listed the N75bn NYIF, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), and the National Young Farmers’ Scheme (NYFS) as enduring legacies of the Buhari administration’s deep commitment to the well-being and development of Nigerian youth.

Also, he said the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has actively pursued initiatives such as Digital Skills Acquisition, Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (DEEL), as well as the Work Experience Programme (WEP), among others, for the benefit of our youth.

According to the Minister, the progress achieved through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of NYSC is being consolidated by the current management.

He urged corps members and other young people to participate in these programmes, which will enable them to become self-employed and contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.

News

FG Commissions Model Veterinary Hospital, Mobile Clinic in Adamawa (Photos)

Published

9 minutes ago

November 26, 2025

Charles Flames

10 Views

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the livestock sector, stating that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “means business” and will no longer allow the sector to suffer neglect.

The Minister made the remark in Yola on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Model Veterinary Hospital constructed by the World Bank-assisted Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) under the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

He also commissioned a veterinary ambulatory vehicle to enhance outreach to pastoral communities and livestock clusters.Mukhtar described the facility as a new chapter for animal health service delivery in Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.

“Mr President deemed it fit last year to create the Ministry of Livestock Development for the first time in 64 years. We are here today as testimony to that commitment,” he said.

The Minister revealed that through L-PRES, seven model veterinary hospitals have already been constructed and equipped across Adamawa, Sokoto, Enugu, Niger, Ondo, Edo and Borno States.

An additional 14 are at various stages of completion, making a total of 21 new veterinary hospitals across participating states.

He added that the Adamawa facility will not only provide a decent workstation for veterinary professionals but will also serve as a centre of excellence for animal health services, offering quality care to livestock farmers within and outside the state.

The ultramodern hospital is equipped with consulting rooms, a diagnostic laboratory, and a surgical theatre capable of handling both elective and emergency procedures.

Mukhtar further urged veterinary officers to ensure the judicious use and maintenance of the facility for the benefit of present and future generations.

Speaking at the event, the President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said the L-PRES initiative has brought renewed hope to pastoral communities, demonstrating that government recognises their challenges and is committed to delivering meaningful solutions.

The Lamido of Adamawa, His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, commended the Federal Government and L-PRES for the landmark project.

He called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders as a necessary condition for livestock sector growth.Similarly, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Edgar Amos, encouraged residents to take full advantage of the facility to improve animal health and support the objectives for which it was established.

Also speaking, the National Project Coordinator of L-PRES, Dr. Sanusi Abubakar, described the hospital as a gateway to better disease control, early detection, reduced livestock mortality, increased productivity, enhanced food security, and expanded employment and training opportunities for veterinary professionals.

During a dinner organised by L-PRES, both the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, were recognised for their leadership and outstanding contributions to the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.

News

President Tinubu Okays Creation of State Police

Published

37 minutes ago

November 26, 2025

OCHEFA

5 Views

• President Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday urged the National Assembly to begin the process of reviewing the law so as to allow states willing to establish state Police to do so.

President Tinubu in a statement he personally signed, also declared a security emergency and ordered the army and the police to recruit more personnel.

He further directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in the nation’s forests.

He said: ” Today, in view of the emerging security situation, I have decided to declare a nationwide security emergency and order additional recruitment into the Armed Forces.

By this declaration, the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000.

Although I had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are, by this statement, authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps camps as training depots.

The officers being withdrawn from VIP guard duties should undergo crash training to debrief them and deliver more efficient police services when deployed to security-challenged areas of the country.

The DSS also has my authority to immediately deploy all the forest guards already trained to flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests.

The agency also has my directive to recruit more men to man the forests. There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil.

My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas. The times require all hands on deck.

As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.

Let me take this moment to commend our security agencies for working together to secure the release of the 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi and the 38 worshippers in Kwara State.

We will continue to sustain the efforts to rescue the remaining students of Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still being held hostage.

To the leadership and rank and file of our Armed Forces, I commend your courage and your sacrifice. This is a challenging moment for our nation and for the military institution itself.

I charge you to remain resolute, to restore peace across all theatres of operation, and to uphold the highest standards of discipline and integrity. There must be no compromise, no collusion, and no negligence.

The Nigerian people are counting on you, and this administration will provide the support you need to succeed.

In addition, our administration will support state governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.

I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them.

States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security.

Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.

Our administration created the Livestock Ministry to address the persistent clashes between herders and farmers.

I call on all herder associations to take advantage of it, end open grazing and surrender illegal weapons.

Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony.

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the states, will work with you to solve this problem, once and for all.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States.

I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace.

I sympathise with the families who have lost their loved ones in recent attacks on soft targets in Kebbi, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Yobe, and Kwara States.

I also pay tribute to our brave soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba.

Fellow Compatriots, I urge you not to give in to fear and never succumb to despair. Let’s stand together in purpose and strength to defend our freedom and values.

Our administration will continue to guarantee peaceful co-existence and preserve our union. I urge all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant.

Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies. We are in this fight together, and together we shall win.”