Former Head of State and founding father of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), General Yakubu Gowon, has revealed that Nigerian students initially opposed the introduction of the Scheme.
Speaking at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja, when the newly appointed NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, paid him a courtesy visit, Gowon commended the managers of the Scheme for sustaining its vision over the years.
He acknowledged that at its inception, the NYSC faced strong resistance from students across the country. However, he noted that despite the early opposition, the Scheme had evolved into a nationally recognized initiative promoting unity, integration, job creation, and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
Reflecting on the NYSC’s contributions over the past 50 years, Gowon praised Corps members for their role in national development. He also commended the Scheme’s deployment policy, which encourages cultural exchange by assigning Corps members to states outside their regions of origin.
Congratulating Brigadier General Nafiu on his appointment, Gowon urged him to build on the achievements of his predecessors and take the Scheme to greater heights.
In response, Brigadier General Nafiu described the NYSC, established in 1973, as a “divine project” that has significantly benefited the country. He expressed gratitude for Gowon’s role in its creation and sought his continued mentorship and blessings for the Scheme’s future.
The NYSC was introduced by the Gowon administration as part of post-war efforts to foster reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation following Nigeria’s 30-month civil war.
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