The former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (RTD) has thrown his weight behind the proposed National Youth Service Trust Fund,Gowon expressed his delight over the progress being made on the legislative processes towards the passage of the Bill on the establishment of the Fund at the National Assembly. He described the initiative as a game-changer for the NYSC ,Graduate youths and the Nigerian economy.
Gowon stated this today Thursday 14th April,2022 at the official commissioning of NYSC Tv and Radio
The establishment of NYSC Radio and Television station, according to General Gowon, was to raise a crop of youth entrepreneurs that would contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Products through their exposure to the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training.
He further said that the establishment of the two outfits was one of the greatest achievements of the National Youth Service Corps in recent times.
“I therefore, commend and urge the NYSC Management to sustain the tempo of its on-going strides which have kept the Scheme in the national and global limelight.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the Scheme has in almost five decades of its existence successfully harnessed the potentials of our graduate youths as models for defining patriotism, credible and quality leadership as well as economic regeneration.
“These Media outfits will no doubt contribute towards enhancing and sustaining the capacity of the Scheme to consolidate its achievement as well as reach out to its global audience. In particular they will serve as veritable tools for driving our quest for national unity: cohesion and purposeful development.
“I am always delighted to note that Corps members have continued to render patriotic and selfless services to our dear country, especially as active participants in the implementation of national programmes such as elections, immunization, population census, advocacy programmes on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and HIV/AIDS campaign, amongst others.
“ While commending the Scheme for sustaining its intervention in these critical areas, it is my sincere hope that these and other achievements would be given the widest publicity by the NYSC Radio and Television Stations in order to elicit increased support from the general public,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian governments at all levels for according priority to matters of youth development and the National Youth Service Corps in particular.
“It is my earnest expectation that Nigerians will not only find the NYSC Radio and Television Stations as reliable platforms for information dissemination, education and entertainment, but also ensure regular patronage of their services. In doing so, we will be demonstrating our collective determination to bequeath a better nation to future generations of Nigerians.
“Let me use this unique opportunity to once again express my support for the proposed NYSC Trust Fund. I am impressed with the progress being made on the legislative processes towards the passage of the Bill on the establishment of the Fund at the National Assembly. I look forward to the final conclusion of these processes and the eventual take-off of the Trust Fund, which promises to be a game-changer for the NYSC our graduate youths and the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim said the establishment of NYSC Radio and Television was part of the whole gamut of activities designed to further advance the cause of the Scheme, which symbolized national unity, and is in the forefront of raising a crop of youth entrepreneurs that contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Products through their exposure to the NYSC Sidell Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training.
”The philosophy behind the establishment of these stations is multifaceted They will educate and entertain: give the Scheme a stronger voice to propagate the programmes and sensitize Nigerians on the policies of the government, in addition to the promotion of national unity, national ethos, as well as values reorientation. Thus, they will contribute in redirecting the mindsets of Nigerians, especially the youth, toward things that are noble.
“Primarily run by Corps Members under the supervision of relevant NYSC Staff members, they are also meant to provide an avenue to train and hone the skills of successive hatches of Corps Members interested in pursuing careers in the broadcast industry, particularly in the areas of production, TV/Radio engineering, programme presentation graphic design and content development, among others Indeed, going by the number of talents so far harvested among the Corps Members to run the stations, I will say without equivocation that Nigeria is truly blessed with rich human resources.” NYSC DG said.
The DG also stressed that the event was epochal and historic given the fact that it was the second time the formal Military Head of. State, General Yakubu Gowan would honoured the scheme of his esteemed presence at this National Directorate Headquarters Complex as he performed the inauguration of the NYSC Complex on 14 August 2008.
“You are highly welcome. I am persuaded to once again express profound gratitude to you for the vision of establishing the National Youth Service Corps and your interest in the affairs of the Scheme since inception and always demonstrated through your unwavering support.”General Ibrahim Shuaibu stated.
The newly commissioned NYSC Radio broadcast on Channel 88.3 FM in Abuja while the NYSC Television run on TStv Channel 365.
