NYSC Has Come to Stay, Says Pioneer CEO Ahmadu Ali

NYSC Has Come to Stay, Says Pioneer CEO Ahmadu Ali

FELICIA ONAH, Abuja

The pioneer Chief Executive of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ahmadu Ali, has declared that the scheme remains an enduring national institution, more than five decades after its establishment.

Ali, a retired Colonel and the first head of the NYSC, made the assertion during a visit by the incumbent Director-General of the scheme, Olakunle Nafiu, at his residence in Abuja.

Reflecting on the evolution of the scheme since its inception in 1973, Ali said the NYSC had, through its programmes and nationwide presence, continued to win the confidence of Nigerians and justify its continued existence.

“The NYSC has come to stay,” he said, noting that its impact over the years had endeared it to citizens across the country.

He commended the vision of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, under whose administration the scheme was established, describing it as a legacy initiative with lasting relevance.

Ali emphasised the role of the NYSC in promoting national unity, stressing that the programme had provided young Nigerians the opportunity to live and work in parts of the country they might never have experienced.

“People have the privilege to go to other states which ordinarily they wouldn’t have,” he said.

According to him, the scheme has also helped young graduates develop resilience and adaptability by exposing them to different cultures and environments outside their comfort zones, thereby fostering tolerance and mutual understanding.

He applauded successive managers of the NYSC for sustaining the founding vision, adding that initial resistance by graduates at the time of its introduction had since given way to enthusiasm and pride.

Ali said he remained proud of the scheme and pledged continued prayers for its sustainability.

Speaking earlier, the NYSC Director-General, Nafiu, said his visit was to honour the pioneer leader and acknowledge the solid foundation he laid for the scheme’s longevity.

He praised Ali’s leadership at the formative stage of the NYSC, noting that his administrative skill and foresight helped the scheme navigate early challenges.

Nafiu said the scheme remained indebted to the pioneer Chief Executive for his enduring contributions, which have ensured its stability and relevance more than 50 years after its creation.