The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has lauded the efforts of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in its mandate to foster peace and unity in the country through its programmes.

Governor Adeleke who was ably represented by the Director of Youth, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Adekunle Osuolale, said the Event is significant because it marks the effort of the government to foster national unity, rehabilitation, reconstruction, integration and development of the nation.

Governor Adeleke commended the efforts of the Ministry of Education of the country, also urging Corps Members to be of good conduct and continue to promote national unity wherever they find themselves.

While lauding the Scheme's efforts, he re-established the commitment of the State to supporting the vision and purpose of NYSC in the State, stating that the Government will always listen and try her possible best to attend to the needs of the Scheme.

Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC Osun State, Mr. Agbor Ndoma Obim has said that the introduction of the National Youth Service (NYSC) Programme has been helpful in fostering peace and oneness in the country, saying that it came at a much-needed time and since then the relevance is overwhelming.

Speaking on key actors' involvement in the progress of the Scheme, Agbor appreciated the Government for formulating the Scheme, he said that it has helped in fostering inclusion and boosting tolerance nationwide.

Agbor further said that about 300,000 Corps Members were deployed nationwide who benefited from the opportunities provided by the Scheme annually. He said these opportunities like the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme have given youths the platform to be self-reliant and employers of labour.

On the effect of the programmes of the Scheme, Agbor said benefactors are in turn contributing to development in the country.

On the quality of the Scheme in the last five decades, representing the Director, NYSC Southwest Area Office, Mr. Olajide Ayeniko said the Scheme has waxed stronger because of the contribution of Corps Members in the States of their deployment.

He further said the idea to initiate such a programme is immense, reiterating the reason the Scheme was initiated.

Following a myriad of other activities, Chief Executive Officer Destiny Initiative Development, Mr. Segun Oduyebo delivered a lecture on 'NYSC: Five Decades Of Fostering National Unity and Development'.

He said the Scheme has had a legacy of doing a great job.

On the strategy of the Scheme, Oduyebo noted the four cardinal programmes, stating that they have been instrumental in keeping the journey on a smooth and steady course.

He highlighted the many achievements of the NYSC citing examples of people who have benefited greatly from the Scheme. Oduyebo pinpointed the different sectors of the country that the selfless services of Corps Members had impacted greatly.

He further gave examples of persons who became great today by leveraging on the platforms provided by the NYSC, also, relationships, businesses and marital connections made possible through the Scheme.

Oduyebo, in his lecture, touched on the employment opportunities made available to Corps Members through the free movement of labour across the country, the free healthcare accessed by rural dwellers through the NYSC-HIRD programme, among others.

Entertainment ensued when the Cultural Troupe Community Development Service Group danced, showcasing their acrobatic skills to add glamour to the event.

Further in the event, as a way to award effective and efficient stewardship, the State Coordinator, NYSC Osun State presented the Award of Best NYSC Friendly Host Community to the Olororuwo of Ororuwo Community, HRM, Oba Adeyemi Adeyanju. He also presented the Award of Best Corps Employer to Mrs. Damilola Opeyemi of Jewel Childminders School, while the the Award of Best Friend of NYSC went to Chief jide Bewaji, CEO of Atlantis Event Centre Osogbo.

In the same vein, long serving NYSC officers Award were given to three Assistant Director, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, Mrs Mary Adebesin and Mrs Funmi Okundaye. Long serving Award was also given to Mrs Juliana Orotayo, Mrs Akinyoola Yemi, Mrs Adedeji Modupe, Mr Adedeji Babatunde, Mr Bashir Kadri, Mr Mike Uzegbu, Mrs Agbaje Florence, Mrs Ogunleye Sijuade, Mr Bukola Faseun and Mr Salako Segun. Meanwhile, the Staff of Merit Award was awarded to Mr. Adesan Olaniyi Michael.

The event also featured an exhibition of products from some of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development post camp classes; Also, testimonials from two ex-corps members who shared their service year experience with the house. The testifiers were: HRM Ọba Adeyemi Adeyeanju, the Olororuwo of Ororuwo and also, the Assistant Commandant NSCDC, Keshinro Oluwakemi.

Conclusively, a toast was made to the Scheme at 50 by Prof. Ife Adewumi, the CEO of GEMS Initiative.

Nice one king