The Committee of Youth Mobilisation and Sensitisation has honoured the Director Corps Mobilisation, National Youth Service Corps, Hajiya Walida Siddique, with the award of excellence performance in public service.

Speaking during the award presentation, the Director-General of CYMS,  Obinna Nwaka, on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the DCM demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities to merit the recognition and award.

Mr Nwaka said that the award was not meant to eulogise or massage the ego of the director, rather CYMS was propelled by the desire to encourage her not to relent in efforts and do more.

The CYMS director general who appreciated the DCM for identifying with the group, describing her as a detribalised Nigerian adding that the youth want those kinds of people in public offices.

He said, “We are here to honour the Mama of Nigerian Youths and also to thank her for her mentorship and follow up. She didn’t know that she was nominated. We are here to thank her for standing by the youth, because we believe that whoever that stands by the youth is standing by the CYMS and we appreciate her because she has also invested in the youth.

“If you are a mother, you have every opportunity to invest in youths. If you are a grandmother, it is an opportunity to invest in the youthful age of your grandchildren. If you are a youth, you have the opportunity to invest in your youthful age. We have invested in our youthful age and that is why we are enjoying the dividend and one of the dividends is obvious.

“Thank you on behalf of Nigerian youths and this is a call of action for you to do more no matter who you are, no matter how poor or rich you are, you are useful in society because even the rich needs the poor to help them.’’

Mr Nwaka charged Nigerian youths to be responsible people in society as the government was doing their part.

This, he said was needed because “if we fail to be responsible, we will face the consequences of being irresponsible citizens in society.’’

Mr Nwaka said that CYMS would continue to recognise, identify and award people with proven character in both the public and private sector.

The CYMS team were Kelechi Ugwumba, Director of Mobilisation,  Taiye Agbaje, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly who represented Epe Constituency, Boluwaji Kudus, Director Logistics, Ruth Elu, Head of Corpers and Volunteers among others.

CYMS held its National Conference on Thursday, June 6, where youths from different walks of life met and discussed peace and development of the nation with awards presented to exceptional and nominated persons.

Responding, Ms Siddique described the award of excellence as the most cherished award, adding that it had spurred her to do more for Nigerian youths.

She promised to continually support the youths and the CYMS in carrying out their mandate as a youth organisation saddled with the responsibility of growth and development.

“I want to thank you and this award will spur me in doing more for the youth of this country. It has qualified me to be a volunteer at CYMS. Whatever you do, I’ll volunteer, let me know how it is going. We will identify with the youth and this makes us more of mentors. I will always say that in NYSC, we mentor the youth. We go a long way to ensure they go out there to be good citizens of the nations. I want to tell you that this is much appreciated. I will always be there for the youth. It may interest you to know that I have passion for working with the youth, “she said.

In his goodwill message, Director Information and Public Relations, NYSC, Eddy Megwa, expressed joy for the recognition of the DCM.

Mr Megwa urged governors to do better with the kind of work the CYMS were doing.

He said, “We are excited that you recognised one of our own. She is one of the unique personalities in the scheme and also fits into the vision of your organisation. I also learnt your organisation is made up of men and women of integrity and you are nurturing the younger ones, the youth to also key into that transparent and integrity aspect of their growth. This can help make this Nigeria a better place and that fuses into the vision of the scheme that we are running and trying to build this sense of responsibility and integrity among the youth.’’

(NAN)