By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Stakeholders in Anambra State have extolled the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on it relentless efforts to reunite the populace and engender national development.
The stakeholders, who spoke at celebration of 50th anniversary of the scheme held at Awka, Anambra State capital, praised the scheme for promoting peace and development in rural areas, and for ensuring maximum impact in local communities.
They, however, enjoined corps members to sustain the tempo of good services, while remaining committed, relating well with host Communities and diligently perform their duties when posted.
Speaking at the occasion, the Anambra state Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ajah Chukwu, stressed the need for corp members to be security conscious and cautious of their relationships.
Contributing, the deputy commander, Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Ms CC Obasi, while sharing her NYSC experience story, encouraged the corps members to exercise decorum and discipline at their different PPAs.
In a lecture, legacy and importance of mental health, Dr Casmir extolled the qualities of patience, understanding and mental stability of corp member, describing it as a preamble for a stable life.
Also speaking, the Serikin Hausa community in Awka, Alh. Garuba Haruna, commended the efforts of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in uniting and building cordial relations among the populace for the past 50 years.
Haruna, who gave the commendation, while welcoming the State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma and her entourage after jumat prayers, explained that the scheme has been helpful in creating good relations among the youths in the state and rebuilding Nigeria generally.
He, however, implored the NYSC coordinator to deploy more corps members to their mosque so they could help in the teaching of Islamic knowledge and studies.
Serikin Haruna also assured corps members from the North that Anambra State is peaceful and inhabitable, noting that there was no need for anyone deployed to the State to seek redeployment after orientation course.
"Some of our brothers immediately been posted to the state, seek ways for relocation. This is not correct. We are born here and we have been living peaceful with our brothers and sisters in the state . Let nobody feel that he is not safe in the state.
Earlier, the Anambra State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, said the visit was aimed at boosting the mutual relationship existing between the muslim community and the scheme in the state .
According to her, the scheme was purposely designed to create bounding among Nigerians youth to appreciate one and another.
"I thanked you for encouraging your sons and daughters who want to relocate to remain in the state. They are protected in the state. Most of your children immediately after the orientation they will be clamouring for relocations and it is not good for us. They should cool down and learn the culture of others and make friends" she said.
Iruma had while delivering a speech at the NYSC 50 years celebration, urged supports of all "to building our future leaders whilst leaving the country better than we met it, and thus making the dream of our founding fathers a reality."
"While counting on our achievements for the past 50 years, the scheme has also experienceed some challenges such as inadequate corps lodges, poor state of orientation camp facilities, lack of befiting infrastructure as offices in various locations of the country due to the failure of some critical stakeholders to play their role.
"The need for NYSC trust fund cannot cannot be over emphasis and the earlier it is implemented the better to arrest youth restiveness, promotes youth empowerment and be the foundational resource base for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). I am therefore using this medium to call on all stakeholders to contribute their qouta towards the success of this noble establishment."
The NYSC 50th anniversary event held in Anambra State was followed by the symbolic cutting of the NYSC cake, cultural dance, courtesy visit to the Jumat Mosque in honour of Muslim corpers, and a Novelty match between NYSC officials versus the female teams, with Thanksgiving service in church coming tomorrow, Sunday.