Featured
FG Offers Automatic Employment, Scholarship To 110 Ex-Corps Members

Joel Ajayi
President Muhammadu Buhari has offered automatic employment to 110 Ex-Corps Members in the Federal Civil Service with scholarships for the pursuit of post-graduate studies up to doctoral level in any university in Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday at the virtual 2018/2019 President’s National Youth Service Corps Honours Award Ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre in, Abuja, President Buhari, also announced cash rewards for the ex- Corps Members.
He directed the relevant government agencies to ensure timely implementation of all the incentives for the award recipients.
Urging the honorees to sustain the patriotic zeal that earned them the award, the President said:
“It is noteworthy that the young men and women being honoured have excelled in the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, namely: Orientation Course, Primary Assignment, Community Development Service and Winding-up/Passing-out, which formed the basis of assessment for the Honours Award.
“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Nigeria, I heartily congratulate those honoured on standing out from their peers in order to merit the honour being bestowed upon them.
“You have proved yourselves worthy ambassadors of your respective families and the National Youth Service Corps. I am very proud of you and confident that the Award shall spur you to greater service to the Nation and humanity,’’ he said.
The President also used the occasion to commend the founding fathers of the 48-year-old scheme, notably General Yakubu Gowon, who joined the occasion virtually.
President Buhari stressed that NYSC has remained a bastion of national unity and integration by exposing our youth to diverse cultures and traditions, thereby making them appreciate our similarities and diversities.
‘‘Through the Scheme, walls of ethnic stereotypes are pulled down, and bridges of unity built, especially with enduring friendships and relationships resulting from healthy interactions during the service year.
‘‘This has strengthened the mileage covered in our quest to be a nation with one common vision and destiny despite our plurality,’’ he said.
On efforts to sanitize the mobilization process of the Scheme, the President directed NYSC management to ensure that only those who meet the required criteria participate in the one-year national service.
President Buhari praised Nigerian youths on National Service for frontally confronting and remaining at the forefront of the war against COVID-19 pandemic.
The President noted that the inherent innovation and resilience of Nigerian youths, which members of the Service Corps demonstrated through the production of face masks, hand sanitizers, liquid soap, and several fabricated machines, contributed towards curtailing the spread of the pandemic.
‘‘The enormous contributions members of the Service Corps are making to the improvement of our education, health and social sectors as well as rural development remain a shining testament to the Scheme.
‘‘This has portrayed successive generations of Corps members as veritable agents of development,’’ he said.
Commending the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and NYSC for the dogged implementation of the self-reliance programme of government for the youths, the President urged them to sustain the tempo of their activities in this direction.
‘‘It is critical that our youths benefit from the N75b Nigeria Youth Investment Fund.
‘‘They should also be encouraged to key into other youth empowerment programmes of Government such as Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria, Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme, and Young Farmers Scheme among others,’’ he said.
Declaring that his administration has abiding faith in the Nigerian youth, the finest part of which Corps Members belong, the President said he had demonstrated this belief by signing the “Not too Young to Run” bill into law, so as to accommodate youth in the political landscape.
‘‘I wish to remind our youth, who have the greatest stake in the future of our country, Nigeria, and of course the generality of Nigerians to embrace our initiatives on value reorientation, as this is essential for the achievement of a country we shall all be proud to bequeath to future generations,’’ he said.
President Buhari also urged Nigerian youth to avoid all economic and social vices that are contrary to the wellbeing and progress of the country, admonishing them to adopt a collective approach, premised on sound values to build a great nation.
‘‘As young men and women, I recognize the extreme peer pressure you experience; it is my plea to you to be wary of those who would like to exploit your youth, intelligence and positive energy by channeling you into wrong paths.
‘‘Avoiding such acts honours not just your families who have sacrificed to see you attain greater heights, but also brings pride to your fellow citizens,’’ he said.
A highpoint at the combined Presidential Honours Award was the reading of citations of the best awardees for each service year.
For the 2018 set, Anyaogu Onyeyirichi Rejoice, who emerged first, served in Taraba State.
Anyaogu won the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) Award for the Best Female Corps Member in Community Development.
Dr. Eze Sunday Victor, who served in Jigawa State, came first in the 2019 set while Odion Jessica Eseohen took the 2nd position in NCWS Award for Best Female Corps Member in Community Development.
The Minister for Youth and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare commended the awardees for upholding the ideals of nationalism.
He said they served as good ambassadors of their families and the NYSC Scheme.
NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated that the founding fathers of the Scheme introduced the President’s NYSC Honours Award in 1974 to reward outstanding Corps Members.
He said the award recipients made invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of the country by building on the performances of their predecessors in key sectors such as; education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.
“Through Community Development Service, Corps Members have over the years, added value to their communities by executing various projects, including construction and renovation of schools and hospitals, repair of roads and provision of portable water among others”.
Ibrahim also said in further demonstration of the commitment of Corps Members to national development, successive batches of Corps Members have participated actively in the implementation of national programmes such as election, immunization, population census among others.
“It would be recalled that while the nation was on lockdown as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the Scheme remained very visible as we harnessed the talents of Corps Members for various interventions”.
“While the Corps Medical Teams joined other health professionals in the frontline, providing services in various health facilities, other Corps Members made impact through Mass production and donation of face masks, antiseptic liquid soaps and hand sanitizers and equally fabricated and donated automatic and foot-operated water, liquid soap and hand sanitizer dispensers as well as disinfection chambers in several states”, he added.
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
-
Featured6 years ago
Lampard Names New Chelsea Manager
-
Featured5 years ago
FG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days
-
Featured6 years ago
Children Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7
-
Featured6 years ago
NYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp
-
Featured4 years ago
Transfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor
-
Sports3 years ago
TINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU
-
News9 months ago
Zulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you
-
Featured6 years ago
Board urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones