Joel Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps on Tuesday inaugurated the newly reconstituted Presidents Honours Award Selection Committee to select and submit names of deserving and the best corps members for the   President’s National  (NYSC) Honours Award.

The President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 to encourage Corps Members to contribute to national development by embarking on CDS among other activities.

Inaugurating the committee on Tuesday in Abuja, the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, Director-General, Maj.-Gen. YD Ahmed charged them to approach the process dispassionately and improve on standards already set.

According to him, the award is to serve as motivation for hard work and reward for excellence among the Corps Members Since its commencement, one thousand four hundred and twenty-six (1426) Ex-Corps Members have so far received the Award, which is usually conferred by the President.

“The selection process is based on the assessment of Corps Members performance in all the major programs of the NYSC, namely Orientation Course; Primary Assignment; Community Development Service, as well as Winding-Up and Passing-Out activities.

“In addition, other personal qualities such as a sense of duty, drive, determination, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership traits, discipline, and teamwork are considered.

“Usually, the best of the NYSC State Honours Award winners are nominated for consideration for the Presidential award. Therefore, the selection of final winners from the State nominees precedes every successful President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that the integrity of the selection process will determine the public acceptance of the eventual winners. On this premise, and given the caliber of personalities on this committee, I am confident that the outcomes of the impending screening and selection exercise will be credible.

“We also look forward to suggestions that will assist in improving the process. With the caliber of personalities on the Committee, I do not doubt that you will deliver on this important mandate.” He assured.

In his opening address the Director, of Corps Welfare/Health Services, Mr. AF Omotade pledged to the national assignment with all the seriousness it deserves.

 “As part of deliberate efforts to ensure merit, objectivity, and thoroughness in the selection process, always draw the membership of the National Selection Committee, from relevant institutions, Agencies, and from among other stakeholders that assist the NYSC in its program implementation.

“Therefore, the credibility and integrity of the process are germane and cannot be overstressed. Looking at an assemblage of distinguished personalities that are being saddled with this onerous task, I am convinced that the outcome of this exercise will be profound, credible, and acceptable.”

Speaking further, he said: “Besides, this Committee will be dealing with a backlog of arrears occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted normal NYSC operations in 2020 and most of 2021.

“Our major assignment will be a consideration and selection of nominees from 2020 Batches ‘A’ and ‘B’, 2021 Batches ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’, and 2022 Batches ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ service years.”

In her remark, the Chairman, of the NYSC Honours Award National Selection Committee and vice-chancellor, of the University of Benin, Professor Lilian Imuetinyan Salami commended NYSC for its tremendous achievements in grooming youths for leadership roles.

She promised objectivity, fairness, and integrity while discharging their official mandate; “We are major stakeholders and I want to assure all Nigeria that we are going to put integrity in the forefront, we will not sub-change any grandaunts, we will put our best to ensure those who are worthy to be celebrated will celebrate.”

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