Introduction
During the military rule of Yakubu Gowon, the Nigerian government established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a required post-tertiary programme, to “reconstructing, reconciling, and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war.”Nigeria does not have military conscription; rather, since 1973, graduates of polytechnics and universities have been obliged to serve a year in the National Youth Service Corps. The “national service year” is what is called for this. Up until 1975, Ahmadu Ali was the NYSC’s first Director-General.[3] Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed is the Director-General currently serving. On April 18, 2016, Major General Suleiman Kazaure was named director general of the NYSC. He was the program’s 17th DG until being redeployed to Nigerian Army Resource Centre on 26 April 2019.
During the general Yakubu Gowon administration, on May 22, 1973, NYSC was established as a means of promoting national reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding following the American Civil War. Deed No. 24, which said that the programme was formed “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity,” served as the foundation for its establishment.
The Lagos State NYSC Orientation Camp and the Governor’s Promises.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that each Corps member leaving the Lagos State orientation camp will receive a farewell gift of N100,000, while the NYSC support staff will receive a sum of N100 million.
This commitment was made during his speech on Tuesday at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja during the Passing-Out Parade and Closing Ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Corps Members, where he was the special guest of honour.
Additionally, N5 billion was pledged by Governor Sanwo-Olu to build the state’s permanent National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp. “This year alone, I will be putting available,” he declared.
At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana Ipaja, during the Passing-Out Parade/Closing Ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 Corps Members, he made the vow during his speech as the special guest of honour. Jubril Gawat, the governor’s senior special assistant for new media, revealed this on his X account on Tuesday. Mr. Sanwo-Olu was heard promising every corps member in a video that Mr. Gawat also shared that the N100,000 present will be deposited straight into their accounts the next week.
The governor promised to give N100,000 in cash to each of the 4,277 corps members and also gave N100 million to the NYSC and its support personnel in the State.
During his first visit to the NYSC Orientation Camp, Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged to see that the permanent NYSC site was finished before the end of his term.
In addition, the governor promised to monitor and show special attention to the group of students who completed the orientation camp. He also promised to guarantee that, upon completion of their one-year mandatory national service in the state, 100 corps members would be automatically hired into the Lagos State Civil Service.
The governor urged them to work hard for the state, promising that job possibilities would be awarded to the individuals who performed the best during their year-long service, regardless of their discipline or place of origin.
Despite the possibility of a very difficult path ahead of them, he said they were ready for the difficulties with the new abilities and the will to have a positive impact on them. He gave them the assurance that an endless amount of opportunities awaited them, specifically mentioning the variety of options in Lagos that could help them fulfil their aspirations and which they should be prepared to take advantage of.
“We have a plethora of chances in Lagos for you. Lagos is a country of opportunity, and it will provide you the chance to succeed. Lagos is a place of opportunity, and you are fortunate to be here.
“What you have gone through in Lagos is the start of even greater things to come in your life; resist the urge to be swayed by what you see on social media and prepare to question the status quo.” the governor said.
“The Lagos NYSC really deserves a suitable permanent site that will be bigger to accommodate everyone posted to our State,” the governor declared. I have authorised N5 billion to be used for this reason alone this year in order to begin the entire development of the NYSC permanent site at Agbowa. We will make sure the location is prepared to receive hundreds of Corps members who will be sent to Lagos in the future before this administration ends.
“I am amazed by the diligence and sense of duty Lagos Corps members have demonstrated throughout their service year. This specific batch has been adopted as my Corps, and I will be keeping an eye on your work.
As the State continued to be a melting pot of cultures, languages, and customs, the Governor referred to the Lagos orientation camp as “a microscopic representation” of the nation, emphasising that the Corps members would witness firsthand the power that came with variety.
Sanwo-Olu cautioned the teenagers against believing incendiary narratives spread on social media and urged them to handle difficult situations with a great degree of responsibility.
“Remember that the road ahead is illuminated with possibilities as you leave this camp,” he urged. New perspectives, new abilities, and the will to make a difference have been bestowed to you. Your past three weeks of events have equipped you to take on the chances and challenges that lie ahead.
The Lagos NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa, praised Sanwo-Olu’s visit as a “historic moment” that the service would remember and thanked the Governor for his generosity and his promise to see that the new permanent site of the programme is built.
According to Baderinwa, the Agbowa camp’s completion will assist the State’s NYSC activities in returning to normal and will take care of the logistics shortage caused by the relocation of troops to adjacent states owing to space restrictions.
According to her, the graduating Corps members received intensive instruction in both physical and mental training, including martial arts, paramilitary drills, Man O War training, language assessments, security lectures, and skill development classes.
“The Corps members have developed their talents, learned new life skills, and explored who they are.” The NYSC coordinator stated, “These Corps members will be deployed to every sector in the State to foster growth and development as contributors to the economic stability in Lagos.”
A few more highlights of the day were Governor Sanwo-Olu’s parade review and his salute to Corps members during the slow and speedy matches.
Also Read: FG unveils weight, measurement agency.
Conclusion
Nigerian graduates must serve for a year in the military or receive the necessary exemptions before they may work in government or the majority of private enterprises. Graduates who are over thirty or who have a physical impairment are excused from performing the duty. Corps members might learn new skills and become familiar with the customs of the state they serve in throughout their service year.
References
Sanwo-Olu Offers Automatic Job To 100 Corps Members, Earmarks N5bn For NYSC Camp – Leadership.ng
VIDEO: Sanwo-Olu gifts corpers N100,000, pledges N5bn for NYSC permanent site – Punch Newspapers
National Youth Service Corps – Wikipedia
SANWO-OLU EARMARKS N5 BILLION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NYSC PERMANENT CAMP IN LAGOS – Lagosstate.gov.ng
