Don’t Rely On Your Predecessors’ Programmes, Minister Charges New NYSC DG

Sports minister Sunday Dare has charged the new director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, to use his technical knowhow to help drive the scheme to meet contemporary realities rather than relying on the various initiatives, policies and programmes of his predecessors.

Minister gave the charge when he received the new NYSC boss in his office, saying the scheme which is the largest concentration of the nation’s youth serves as a beacon for them and thus needs concerted efforts by its management for the psychological, social and mental well-being of participants especially after leaving their various school environments and getting themselves prepared for wider challenges.

Dare explained that President Muhammadu Buhari, taking cognisance of the role of youth in the socio-economic development of the country and in a bid to ensure the realisation of the goals of the founding fathers of the scheme, increased Corps members’ monthly allowances from N19,000 to N38,000.

“It takes a President that has the interest of the youth at heart, to invest in their development. That is why, there is an increase in allowances of the NYSC from N19,000 to N38,000, far above the minimum wage,” he said.

According to Dare, in a statement signed by Mohammed Manga, director of press and public relations, in furtherance of plans to equip the youth for self-reliant and entrepreneurship, the National Youth Trust Fund project will in a few weeks’ time, be assented to by the president and commended the Senate and House Committee members on Youth and Sports as well as the former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) for their commitment to the realisation of the fund and sustenance of the scheme.

The minister who disclosed that the scheme will be celebrating its 50 years Anniversary in May 2023, called on the new director-general to put in relentless effort towards ensuring the successful organisation of the programme.

Speaking earlier, director-general, NYSC, General Dogara Ahmed said his visit was to afford him the opportunity to officially introduce himself to the minister, permanent secretary and top management staff of the ministry.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of the appointment, promising that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the development of the corps members as well as sustenance of the scheme.