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DG Restates NYSC’s Increasing Relevance To National Development
Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps Brigadier General Shu’aibu Ibrahim has renewed the commitment of the Scheme to national unity and integration, as well as self-improvement through a well-designed Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
General Ibrahim disclosed this in a special interview and live programme on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa service titled “Ra’ayi Riga”.
The DG who admitted that security challenges are not peculiar to the NYSC, called on all stakeholders to sustain effective synergy with Government, and support security agencies in ensuring that all citizens, especially Corps Members are protected, and allowed to deploy their potentials in extending the frontiers of development in all the nooks and crannies of this country.
“I always advise Corps Members to be security conscious wherever they go. If I visit them at the Orientation Camp, I always advise them against unauthorised journeys and the grave consequence of night journeys.
“Parents should also help in educating and prevailing on their children to desist from embarking on late night journeys; because this is the area the Scheme has recorded avoidable accidents”, He added.
On the continued relevance of the NYSC as a catalyst for national integration and sustainable development in the national economy, Ibrahim emphasised that the NYSC remains a lasting legacy and an institutional framework that promotes national unity and peaceful coexistence.
He debunked the claim of kidnapping and killing of Corps Members, the basis for the renewed debate on the scrapping of the Scheme, clarifying that apart from the unfortunate incidence of the 2011 electoral violence, no such record exists in NYSC.
He added that the NYSC Scheme is more relevant now in addressing the contemporary challenges of national unity in Nigeria, than ever before.
“Since the creation of NYSC 48 years ago, Corps Members have been discharging selfless services all over the federation. They are in our schools teaching in the rural areas, they work in hospitals, especially in our rural areas where they treat indigent people and give free drugs and eye-glasses to patients and a host of other interventions in the national economy”, he stated.
The Director-General equally acknowledged the contributions of Corps Members in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. He disclòsed that during the lockdown, Corps Members were at the forefront, supporting the national response against COVID-19 across the country, where they utilised their skills in the production of facemasks, hand sanitizers, liquid soaps among other items.
He added that some of them even sacrificed their allowances to procure food items and distributed same to less privileged as palliatives.
While responding on the need for the provisions of post-service employment and sustainable self- reliance packages, the NYSC helmsman said the SAED Programme of the Scheme is doing well in empowering Corps Members with the requisite skills, while financial institutions such as Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria extend credit facilities to them.
He explained that most of these empowered Corps Members are not only owning flourishing businesses, but equally employing other Nigerians, thus accelerating rapid economic growth.
According to him, “Many Corps Members have benefitted from the SAED programme. They learnt skills, established companies, business ventures, and settled down, married and own houses in their host communities all over the country.
“They don’t even think of white-collar jobs which are not readily available. Instead, they are self-employed, employing other people in their respective companies, facilitated by the SAED init…
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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
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