The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says the federal government has no plans to scrap the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Mr Dare was speaking in Abuja on Saturday night at the premiere of an advocacy movie produced by the NYSC entitled “A Call to Service”.

The movie was produced to increase appreciation for the scheme’s relevance in promoting patriotism, national unity, peace and cohesion.

Some of the movie cast included Nollywood actors Pete Edochie, Toyin Abraham, Ali Nuhu, Belinda Effah, Imeh Bishop also known as “Okon Lagos”, and comedian Anita Asuoha also referred to as “Real Warripikin”.

“The timing of this movie could not have been better after weeks and months of debates about whether the NYSC is relevant or not and whether the scheme should be scrapped or should continue.

“The answer to the critics, to the anti-NYSC is in the premiere of this movie. This movie needs to travel and hit every viewing platform across this country and in the diaspora; it must go viral.

“The message must go out strong and clear, that the NYSC has come to stay. The scheme is more relevant now than it has ever been before,” Mr Dare said.

He said the release of the movie would assist the ministry in creating the NYSC Trust Fund, an initiative which he plans to present to the Federal Executive Council by first quarter of 2022. 

(NAN)