Bayelsa State coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mrs Okpalifo Obiageli Charity has said African countries including The Gambia and Sierra Leone have visited Nigeria to understudy the NYSC programme for adoption in their countries.
She said despite the need for continued support, synergy, cooperation and collaboration to enable the Corps deliver on its mandate, the NYSC has set the pace for other youth organisations in Africa to follow.
The state coordinator, who made this known at the award ceremony and dinner as part of the NYSC 50th anniversary ceremony held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Yenagoa on Saturday, expressed the hope that with the gigantic support given to the NYSC in the last 50 years, the next 50 years will place the NYSC on the world map.
She thanked the invited guests for gracing the occasion and emphasised that the NYSC has set the pace for other youth organisations in Africa to follow, noting that other countries like Gambia and Sierra Leone have come to under study NYSC programme for implementation in their respective nations.
Okpalifo called for continued support, synergy, cooperation and collaboration to enable the Service Corps deliver on its mandate.
The secretary to the state government and chairman, NYSC State Governing Board, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, who was represented by the permanent secretary, General Services, Mr Anthony Ichobo, congratulated the NYSC on its 50th anniversary and for marking the Golden Jubilee in such a grand style nationwide.
He also congratulated the award winners and enjoined all stakeholders to continue to support the ideals, programmes and activities of the scheme.
Also in her remarks, Dame Ella Douglas, who was one of the first set of corps members who served in 1973, said she was grateful to witness NYSC 50th anniversary.
She recalled with nostalgia her service year and congratulated the NYSC for an unprecedented feat.
