News
General Ahmed Seeks Local Governments’ Support For NYSC
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed has appealed for robust support from the 774 Local Government Chairmen cross the country.
He said this would enhance the achievements of the Scheme which largely depends on the commitment and active participation of key role players in the running of the Scheme.
General Ahmed stated this while addressing the National Executive Council Meeting of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Lafia.
He said Management has made a sustained advocacy on the proper performance of stakeholders’ roles as spelt out in the NYSC Act Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
General Ahmed stated further that the role of Local Governments are critical to the smooth operations of the NYSC because majority of Corps Members posted to serve in the rural areas support developmental strides, especially through their Primary Assignments in schools, Primary Healthcare Centres and other aspects of national economy.
The Director General informed the Council Chairmen that while the Federal Government shoulders a greater part of the responsibility of running the Scheme, the enabling Act saddles States and Local Governments with complimentary responsibilities which include the provision of facilities like; Orientation Camps, Corps Transit Lodge, Corps Lodges, Office Accommodation and other forms of intervention that are essential for the welfare of Corps Members and the general success of the Scheme.
While appreciating the Local Government Chairmen for their individual and collective gestures in supporting the Scheme, such as the provision of accommodation for Corps Members and facilitation of their integration into the host communities, General Ahmed added that there is much to be done in many Local Government Areas across the country to make the operating environment more conducive for the Scheme.
“Permit me at this juncture to highlight some of the key issues that require your attention such as; formation of NYSC Local Government Committees. Section 8 Sub-Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the NYSC Act provides for the establishment, composition and functions of the NYSC Local Government Committee in each of the 774 Local Government Areas of the country. However, the committees have not been in existence in many of the Local Government Areas over the years.
Therefore, to ensure smooth operations of the Scheme at the grassroots, the committees need to be put in place and empowered with the necessary resources to enable them function effectively.
I therefore appeal to those of you that do not have the committees to establish and make them functional”, he said.
General Ahmed further informed the Council Chairmen that Management is in constant liaison with security agencies, adding that Section 8 Sub-Section 3 (d) of the NYSC Act saddles the Local Government Councils with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of Corps Members serving in each Local Government.
He also requested them to use their offices to influence other stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious and community leaders to complement the efforts of the security agencies in their areas.
The Director General advised the Local Government authorities that host NYSC Orientation Camps to contribute towards ensuring the safety of the camp facilities through local security arrangements.
He also informed the Chairmen that the condition of some of NYSC Zonal and Local Government offices leave much to be desired, while some of the Scheme’s Zonal and Local Government Inspectors operate in dilapidated structures, others have inadequate office spaces thereby hindering effective performance of their duties.
The DG however thanked the Local Governments that have provided befitting office accommodation, while he appealed to others to do same so as to enhance the smooth conduct of the Scheme’s operations.
Other statutory areas that the DG harped on include; transport for Corps Inspection in order to enhance grassroots development and support for Community Development Service Projects.
The National President of ALGON, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata in his remarks lauded the Scheme for it’s remarkable achievements over the past fifty-one years.
He however promised that the requests of the Director General would be considered.
News
Ringo Sport Club, National Parks Service Team Up to Promote Eco-Tourism, Combat Climate Change
By Joel Ajayi
The Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and the National Park Service (NPS) have begun moves to strengthen collaboration on eco-tourism promotion, environmental protection and climate change mitigation ahead of the maiden Nigerian Para-Military Ringo Sport Tournament (NIPAMRIST) 2026.
The National President of Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Organising Committee (NIAOC) of NIPAMRIST, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Musa Goni, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was part of ongoing stakeholder engagements to secure the participation of personnel from para-military agencies and explore areas of cooperation ahead of the three-day tournament scheduled for November 19 to 21, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Sule said the tournament was designed to bring together officers and personnel of Nigeria’s para-military agencies to compete for honours while promoting inter-agency cooperation, national unity, physical fitness and general well-being.
He explained that the engagement with the National Park Service was aimed at strengthening preparations for the inaugural competition and building a lasting partnership that would extend beyond sports.
According to him, the National Park Service is a strategic partner in advancing the tournament’s objectives, particularly through the integration of sports and tourism to showcase Nigeria’s natural attractions and encourage environmental awareness.
Sule disclosed that the Service had registered for the tournament and that some of its personnel had benefited from the intensive Ringo sport training programme organised by the club.
He urged the Conservator-General to mobilise more personnel for the competition, stressing that adequate preparation and mass participation would contribute to the success of the tournament.
The Ringo Sport Club president added that NIPAMRIST offered an opportunity to use sports as a platform for promoting Nigeria’s eco-tourism potential, improving the fitness of security and para-military personnel, and encouraging stronger institutional partnerships.
He called for sustained collaboration between the club and the National Park Service to leverage the tournament’s visibility in promoting the country’s protected areas and supporting tourism development.
Responding, Goni expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the success of NIPAMRIST 2026.
He pledged that the National Park Service would encourage active participation by its personnel, describing the tournament as an avenue to improve physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and esprit de corps among staff.
The Conservator-General also welcomed the proposal for deeper cooperation on eco-tourism, noting that the Service had continued to pursue partnerships that support biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and tourism development across Nigeria’s protected areas.
Goni linked the growing effects of climate change to environmental degradation and the neglect of environmental protection principles, noting that damage to ecosystems and the depletion of natural protective cover could contribute to displacement, migration and conflicts.
He said the relationship between sports and eco-tourism presented an opportunity to raise public awareness about Nigeria’s national parks while encouraging healthy lifestyles among service personnel and the wider population.
Goni assured the organising committee of the Service’s readiness to explore practical areas of cooperation before, during and after the tournament.
He also clarified that Nigeria has 17 national parks, with about 13 currently in active operation, correcting what he described as the misconception in some quarters that the country has only seven parks.
The visit ended with both parties agreeing to establish a working framework for the Service’s participation in the tournament and sustain discussions on eco-tourism promotion and other areas of mutual interest.
The organising committee expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen NIPAMRIST 2026 and support its broader objectives of sports development, institutional cooperation and tourism promotion.
NIPAMRIST is the maiden inter-agency Ringo sport tournament organised by Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria for officers and personnel of Nigerian para-military establishments.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature 120 players and officials from eight agencies, including the National Park Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to 21 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
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