The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed the relevance of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as vital to national development and unity for the past 53 years.

Chairman of the Lagos NYSC Governing Board, Mobolaji Ogunlende, spoke on Friday during the scheme’s 53rd anniversary celebration in Lagos.

Mr Ogunlende, who is also the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, said unity remained Nigeria’s strongest bond and was essential for sustainable national development.

He said: “There is only one thing that keeps us together as a country and that is unity.

“We must continuously identify with this scheme to foster unity, which is key to national development.”

He said the scheme remained relevant through its promotion of peaceful coexistence and national integration among Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds.

Mr Ogunlende urged corps members to support development initiatives, obey laws and contribute meaningfully at their places of primary assignment.

He assured corps members of the Lagos State Government’s continued commitment to their welfare and safety throughout their service year.

Earlier, the Lagos NYSC Coordinator, Christiana Salmwang, reaffirmed the scheme’s role in national integration, youth empowerment and community development.

Ms Salmwang said the introduction of batches and streams had improved the smooth administration of the programme nationwide.

“It has helped the scheme effectively manage the thousands of graduates enrolled annually,” she said.

She described the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as one of NYSC’s most impactful initiatives.

“SAED has made the service year more rewarding and helped address graduate unemployment through entrepreneurial and vocational training,” Salmwang said.

She commended the federal government, Lagos State Government, traditional rulers, security agencies and corps employers for supporting the scheme’s operations.

“As we commemorate this 53rd anniversary, let us reflect on the scheme’s core values of unity, integrity, diligence, self-reliance and service to humanity,” she said.

Ms Salmwang said NYSC had further strengthened national unity through inter-tribal marriages and exposure to diverse cultures across Nigeria.

She also praised corps members for their contributions to education, healthcare, environmental sanitation, digital literacy and community development.

The coordinator urged corps members to remain disciplined, patriotic and committed to national service throughout their deployment.

According to her, anniversary activities included sanitation exercises across local government areas and visits to orphanages and elderly care homes.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, told corps members that Nigeria’s future depended on their contributions.

Mrs Oke-Osanyintolu encouraged them to add value to their host communities, embrace learning opportunities and always give their best.

The National Youth Service Corps was established in 1973 to promote national unity through compulsory one-year service by Nigerian graduates across states. 

(NAN)