In what appears to be the reward for dedication and hard work, the Federal government of Nigeria has offered automatic employment to 168 outstanding members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who served in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The disclosure was made by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari during an NYSC Award dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Prof. Osinbajo said the reward was to encourage excellence among the youth. He noted that the scheme is “as an indisputable national heritage,” which, he said, had contributed to “promote national integration and cohesion.”
Vice President Yemi affirmed that in line with President Muhammadu Buhari's policy of encouraging and rewarding excellence among the youth, I hereby announce the immediate employment into the Federal Civil Service of all the award winners and beneficiaries of the NYSC Hope Alive Programme. In addition, the Federal Government hereby offers each of you automatic scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian University of your choice.
“The NYSC has, from the beginning, been about opportunities: opportunities for young Nigerians to serve, to earn a living, to travel, to see and learn about Nigeria beyond our comfort zones, and to build lifelong friendships. “The important roles that young people, especially members of the NYSC played in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the 2015 and 2019 general elections offer clear evidence that when positively engaged in nation-building, our country stands to gain tremendously,” he said.
Osinbajo urged states and local governments to give more support to the NYSC to enable it to discharge its statutory obligations through the provision and upgrade of the permanent orientation camps, lodges for corps members and other welfare facilities.