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Tanzania To Understudy NYSC On Innovation, Youth Empowerment

Published

3 months ago

August 1, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The United Republic of Tanzania has expressed its desire to understudy the activities, programmes, achievements and challenges of National Youth Service Corps and replicate the same.

The Deputy High Commissioner and Charge D’affaire of Tanzania High Commission, Her Excellency, Judica Nagunwa stated this when she paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed at the National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

She said Tanzania National Service programme which started in 1963 is for both volunteers and compulsory participants, but added that there are many viable programmes in NYSC that are yet to be replicated in her country.

She commended NYSC’s contributions to national development, adding that; “We think there is the need to come and learn from you.

We have come to study the structure of NYSC and see how it can assist us in vocational training, youth empowerment, wealth production and security”.

In his response, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said the Scheme which was established more than fifty-one years ago is one year compulsory national service programme for graduates below the age of thirty.

He added that through NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training programme, millions of Corps Members have acquired vocational skills that has made them employers of labour in different locations across Nigeria.

The DG disclosed that NYSC has undergone many changes with the exigencies of time to make it responsive to national needs.

He disclosed further that the main objective of establishing NYSC was to foster national unity and integration after the 30-month old Nigerian Civil War.

General Ahmed also informed the Tanzanian delegate that the tripartite responsibilities of the Scheme is borne by the Federal, State and Local Governments.

“We are into collaboration with many organizations that offer business grants to Corps Members so as to help them establish their businesses.

More than five million youths have passed through the Scheme from inception till date”, the DG said.

He promised NYSC’s readiness to offer every necessary assistance for the Tanzania National Service.

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Sunday Akin Dare’s Appointment: A Round Peg In A Round Hole

Published

10 hours ago

October 30, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The recent appointment of former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Akin Dare, as the new Presidential Adviser on Public Communication and Orientation, is a move that deserves widespread commendation.

In a significant departure from previous practices, this strategic choice reflects a pragmatic approach to national development, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to excellence and impactful governance.

This appointment symbolizes the President’s dedication to assembling a team of competent, committed, and qualified individuals who are positioned to contribute meaningfully to the administration.

For those familiar with Dare’s career, politics, and achievements, it is clear that he is indeed a “round peg in a round hole” for this new role.

Sunday Dare brings a wealth of expertise as a seasoned media professional and a visionary leader. As the President’s special adviser, he is expected to leverage his extensive background in communications to effect positive change in Nigeria’s public communication landscape.

With over three decades of experience in journalism, Dare has made significant contributions to media and communications both locally and globally.

His journey began with publications such as *The Nation* magazine in New York and *Fourth Estate* magazine during Nigeria’s military era, where he became part of a group of courageous “guerrilla journalists” who risked their lives to oppose military dictatorship.

Dare’s career expanded internationally when he served as the Chief of the Hausa Service, African Division at Voice of America in Washington, DC. In this role, he led a team of journalists across seven African countries, showcasing his expertise in media management and his capacity to oversee complex operations effectively. His media management acumen was further evident during his role as Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and Communications under President Yar’Adua, where he influenced public information policies significantly.

Additionally, Dare was instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s media landscape through strategic moves, including his key role in the 2014 sale of the 2.3 GHz spectrum frequency, which marked a pivotal shift in media convergence.

His dedication to promoting media excellence extends beyond government; as the founder of the Social Media Clinic, he championed digital literacy, highlighting his forward-thinking approach to harnessing technology for societal development.

Dare’s distinguished career also saw him as the Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where he was renowned for effectively navigating stakeholder relationships and driving strategic communication initiatives.

His contributions have been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including the Voice of America Meritorious Honor Award and the Reuters Foundation Journalism Research Fellowship.

Holding a Bachelor of Science in International Studies, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, and experiences from institutions like New York University, Harvard, and Oxford, Dare’s academic and professional credentials are noteworthy. He is a recipient of the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), further underscoring his dedication to national service.

Dare’s appointment is a testament to the vision of a government committed to elevating the standards of public communication and orientation in Nigeria.

As he steps into this role, Nigerians can expect to witness impactful communication initiatives that reflect both the President’s and Dare’s dedication to national progress.

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