The Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Head of the United Nations Youth Office, Felipe Paullier, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a critical agent of youth development in Nigeria.
Paullier made the remark during the flag-off of the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) at Kabusa community in Abuja. He explained that his visit to Nigeria was focused on engaging with youth organisations, particularly NYSC, as well as key stakeholders, to advance the youth agenda by strengthening the role of young people as partners in development, peace, and human rights.
“I have interacted with many young and old Nigerians who are proud of their NYSC experiences,” he said, while commending the Scheme’s consistent provision of free medical services to rural dwellers, describing it as a contribution to building a better society.
Earlier, the Director-General of NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, disclosed that more than five million Nigerians have benefited from the HIRD programme since its inception in 2014. He added that the Scheme projects to reach about 45,000 additional beneficiaries across rural communities this year.
Nafiu noted that the programme’s expansion has been boosted by the deployment of two new mobile clinics donated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to enhance access to healthcare in underserved areas. He also revealed that the Scheme plans to commence free minor surgical procedures for rural dwellers under the initiative.
According to him, the HIRD programme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on good health and well-being and Goal 1 on poverty eradication, by reducing the financial burden of healthcare on vulnerable populations and promoting healthier communities.
The NYSC Director-General expressed appreciation to partners, donors, and corps medical personnel for their sustained commitment, noting that their contributions continue to have a positive impact on national development.
In his remarks, the Dakachi of Kabusa, Chief Samuel A. Kpowu, expressed gratitude to the NYSC for bringing free medical services to his people, describing the outreach as the first of its kind in the community.
Also speaking, the Acting Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mrs Funmilayo Ajayi, said the two-day outreach featured a wide range of services, including health sensitisation, medical consultations, diagnosis, laboratory tests, scanning, eye care, treatment, and referrals where necessary.
A key highlight of the event was the launch and inspection of the two newly acquired mobile clinics by the UN official alongside the NYSC leadership. The programme also featured a health talk delivered by a corps medical doctor, Else Ibrahim, who translated key messages into the Gbagyi language to ensure better understanding among residents.
The medical outreach was supported by two collaborating partners—Genlab/Doc.roa, led by its Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Ebozoje Deogratias Segun, and the Rabiu Olowo Foundation, led by its General Manager, Ayomide Adebayo.
