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NYSC Seeks Stakeholders’ Support For Scheme’s Operations
Joel Ajayi
The National Youth Service Corps has appealed to State Governments and other NYSC stakeholders in the country to support the Scheme in it’s efforts to consolidate the achievements it recorded in the last fifty years.
The Director General of the Scheme, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said NYSC Managers are working assiduously towards ensuring that NYSC would continue to be impactful towards national development in it’s post-golden jubilee era.
The DG stated this on Wednesday in his address at the meeting of NYSC Management with representatives of State Governments, with the theme; “Five Decades of National Service: Mobilizing Stakeholders For Enhanced Service Delivery”, held in Abuja.
General Ahmed disclosed that while the Federal Government shoulders the greater part of running the Scheme, the NYSC Act saddles both the State and Local Governments with complimentary responsibilities like provision of Orientation Camps, Corps Transit Lodges, Office Accommodation, and other forms of intervention that are essential for the welfare of Corps Members and smooth conduct of the Scheme’s operations.
He also urged State Governments to establish NYSC State and Local Government Governing Boards in order to ease the operations of the Scheme at the States.
The Director General advised participants at the meeting to use the forum to share best practices among all States and the FCT in order to deepen the impact of the Scheme towards the socio-economic development of the country.
The NYSC Chief Executive also enjoined the representatives of State Governments at the meeting to guide the Corps Members to explore and avail themselves of opportunities for employment or business in their respective states of deployment.
“I wish to appeal for the glorious practice of offering automatic employment for the most outstanding Corps Members.
This will not only serve as a mark of appreciation for their contributions, but also meet the Scheme’s objectives of promoting free movement of labour and national integration”, General Ahmed said.
The Director General also used the opportunity to appeal to Corps Members to desist from embarking on night journeys, while he advised them to cut their journey by 6:00pm and pass the night at Corps Lodges, military formations, police stations and other places officially designated safe and continue the following day.
He said in view of the dangers associated with night journeys, Management has been sensitizing both prospective and serving Corps Members on the need to stop night journeys.
“As a matter of urgent concern, l appeal to State Governments to initiate policies in this direction, to reach out to the Corps Producing Institutions, other stakeholders including transport companies in their States to stop conveying Corps Members to various locations during night hours.
Safety of Corps Members in all locations remains the top priority of the Scheme. We are stepping up our liaison with security agencies who have been supportive and it is important that State and Local Governments as well as other stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious and community leaders play their expected roles in securing the Corps Members”, the DG said.
Featured
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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