President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate employment of 200 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members into the federal civil service.
The President also awarded ₦250, 000 cash award for the 200 honorees in 2020–2023 to recognize their outstanding service.
This took place at the combined President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony (2020-2023) in Abuja where the president was represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
There, the president also sympathized with 10 former corps members who sustained varying degrees of disability while serving.
He directed that they be offered federal employment alongside a scholarship to pursue a postgraduate degree at any Nigerian university.
He said; “In appreciation of their service to the nation, all the awardees will receive N250,000. Finally, each award recipient will be granted a scholarship to pursue postgraduate programs up to a degree in any university in the country.”
The president assured the honorees that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission will immediately begin their employment process.
According to the president, the awards were in appreciation of the critical roles played by youth in national development, and to put them in the foreground of the economy.
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He further revealed that the government developed several youth-related programs, covering education, skills development, technology, and information sustainability to empower the youths.
He urged the former corps members and other Nigerian youths to have faith in Nigeria.
Among all the awardees, the president recognized the top four male including;
Nunaya Polycarp Nunaya (20B – KW/20B/0001) from Adamawa State, who served in Kwara State; Okpogbo Alvin Chinedu (21A) from Imo State, who served in Cross River State; Dr. Ugwa Obinna Mark (23B) from Abia State, who served in Cross River State and Rabiu Quadri Mayokun (23C) from Osun State, who served in Rivers State.
The top females included; Akase Pati Ence Nguwasen (21A) from Benue State, who served in Gombe State and Igwe Anne Chikaodi (23C) from Enugu State, who served in Sokoto State.
In his remark, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande thanked the president for being present at the event.
According to him; “Your presence here is a testament to the deep-rooted love you have for our nation’s young people.”
Furthermore, he reaffirmed the federal government’s dedication to empowering youth through different programs.
He said: “Many young people have been appointed as ministers and heads of agencies, ensuring youth voices are heard and respected at the highest levels.”
Also, the Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, lauded the contributions of Nigerian youth to the nation’s progress, declaring them the future of Nigeria.
Nafiu hailed President Tinubu for approving ₦77,000 allowance for corps members.
He also expressed optimism that the signing of the NYSC Trust Fund Bill would eventually come through as he he described it as a landmark piece of legislation poised to establish a sustainable funding framework for the scheme.
Addressing the awardees, Nafiu said; “You may no longer wear khaki, but you now wear something even more enduring: the confidence of a great nation. This award should signify yet another chapter in your resolve and commitment to selfless dedication to serving your country, as you remain ambassadors of unity and innovators of hope.”
