Stakeholders at all tiers of Government have been urged to perform their statutory responsibilities to the National Youth Service Corps in order to enhance its performances.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday dare stated this in his goodwill address today during the opening ceremony of the meeting of NYSCTop Management with representatives of State Governments held at Abuja.
He said there must be a strengthened partnership with the NYSC that would enhance the productivity of Corps members in the discharge of their responsibilities across the country.
Dare said the NYSC Scheme which was established over forty-six years ago to foster unity and integration of the diverse ethnic groups in the country as well as serve as catalyst for national development has achieved its objectives but there is need for all tiers of government to fulfil their assigned roles and responsibilities.
While commending the Scheme for its immense contributions to the socio-economic, educational, political and cultural development of the country, the Minister said for the potentials of Corps members to be fully harnessed for national development, a conducive working atmosphere must be created for them.
"I am concerned that the successes recorded by Corps members in the past are being impaired today by the inability of critical stakeholders, especially States and Local Governments to fully discharge their statutory responsibilities to the Scheme".
"Reversing this trend will surely increase the tempo of contributions of Corps participants to the improvement of the living standard of our people, especially in rural communities", the Minister added.
Dare commended the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, who at various fora encouraged stakeholders in the Scheme to play their roles effectively so as to enhance the achievement of its objectives.
He urged participants at the meeting to step up the advocacy for increased support for the Scheme, especially at the grassroots which would endear all State Governments to the Corps members and also motivate them to sustain their contributions to the Scheme's various development efforts.
"As the National Youth Service Corps continues to discharge its mandate effectively, I want to assure that the Federal Government will continue to support it to strengthen its operations".
"In line with the provisions of its enabling Act, I wish to appeal to all States and Local Government Councils to also discharge their obligations to the Scheme. In particular, areas of deficiencies which are affecting the smooth discharge of the Scheme’s mandate should be addressed for the overall benefit of our dear country", the Minister stated.
The meeting with the theme, “Optimizing the potentials of Corps Members for National Unity and Development: The Role of State Governments as Stakeholders”, is having the represetatives of all State Governments across the country in attendance.
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