NYSC Celebrates 53 Years of National Integration Efforts

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) marked its 53rd anniversary in Sokoto, with Dr. Roberson Okoro serving as the guest speaker. He noted that the NYSC was established to heal the wounds of the Nigerian Civil War and has evolved into a significant driver of national integration and social cohesion.

Okoro highlighted the impact of corps members across Nigeria, particularly in the health and education sectors, where they serve in rural clinics and schools, bridging educational gaps in underserved areas. NYSC State Coordinator Tyoy Gabriel Ter described the anniversary as a moment for sober appreciation of the scheme's resilience since its establishment in 1973 under General Yakubu Gowon (rtd).

Ter called for the federal government to fully implement the proposed NYSC Trust Fund to better support corps members. Usman Yakubu Yaro, acting director of the North West Area Office, urged corps members to uphold the tenets of the scheme, which focuses on national unity and rehabilitation.