Buhari offers employment, scholarships to 168 ex-corps members

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presented awards to 168
ex-corps members at the combined 2015/2016/2017 President’s NYSC
Honours Award held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,
also announced automatic employment to the awardees in the Federal
Civil Service and scholarships up to Doctorate level in any
Nigerian universities.

Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who created the National
Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973, was also in attendance.

15 ex-corps members who suffered disability during their service
year were also recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

There was also the National Council for Women Affairs Award to
three best female awardees.

The President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 to
encourage corps members to contribute to the overall national
development by embarking on community development projects.

Buhari said that it was the exceptional individuals in society
who were the true builders of institutions and nations.

According to him, the vision, innovation and hard work of one
person is sufficient to make a difference in the life of a
community or a nation.

The president said that enduring individual success was a
function of courage and resilience, adding that he was challenged
by the remarkable courage of the Corp members who suffered various
accidents while in service.

“The fact that they have gone through these harrowing personal
injuries and are still determined to engage the future with hope
and confidence is proof that they will still experience the joys of
great success and fulfillment.

“To all of today’s honorees, let me make it clear that you are
not just the future of this country, but also its present.

“You must all see yourselves as the leaders that you are; but
leadership comes with responsibilities and continuous
sacrifice.

“The successes you have achieved and are being rewarded for
today, should inspire you to even greater feats, in your various
spheres of influence.

“I therefore charge you all to continue to be the light for
others to follow, whilst also seeing yourselves as lifelong
ambassadors of the NYSC.

“In line with our policy of encouraging and rewarding excellence
among our 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,” he said.

In his address, Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports
Development, said that nothing motivated young people than rewards
for their contributions no matter how small.

He said that the Federal Government would continue to reward
hard work and devotion to duty among Nigerian youths.

On his part, the outgoing Director-General of NYSC Maj.-Gen
Suleman Kazaure, said the award aimed at encouraging high ideals
and patriotism through selfless and dedicated service to
fatherland.

Kazaure said the award was recognition of teamwork, honesty,
loyalty, devotion to duty and creativity.

“Though the young men and women being honoured today were the
most outstanding in performance, I am proud to report that corps
members deployed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 service years generally
contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of our dear
country.

“Their performances in key sectors such as education, health,
agriculture and infrastructure were applauded by all Nigerians.

“In the areas of Community Development Service, successive
batches of corps members have been adding value to communities
throughout the federation with various projects.

“These include construction and renovation of schools and
hospitals as well as provision of potable water,” he said.

One of the awardees, Nelson Nnamdi, in an interview, said he
felt great and was giving God the glory.

He said he learnt the act of service to humanity and to the
nation during his service year.

“When I was serving, I did the Virtually Impaired Electronic
Working Guide; it is for the blind.

“When I executed the project in the school of the blind in Izzi,
Ebonyi State, the project went far; in fact the joy in the heart of
those young blind students gives me joy.

“My advice to servicing corps members; if you identify a special
need in the place you are serving, you should try to make an impact
and leave the rest to God; in the right time, God will reward you
as he has rewarded me today,” he said. (NAN)

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