The Former Nigerian Vice President and the People’s Democratic Party PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has celebrated with the National Youth Service Corps NYSC on its 50th anniversary celebration.
Atiku Abubakar took to his social media platform on Monday to the celebrate NYSC scheme that just concluded a remarkable one week 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday.
The ex-Vice President, Atiku urged a review of the mandate of the NYSC scheme to reflect the demands of the current reality.
According to him, “As we mark the 50th anniversary of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nigeria, we are reminded that the scheme remains one of the most significant policies ever conceived in the country”.
He said Nigerians must acknowledge and give credit to former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon for introducing this brilliant idea aimed at consolidating national unity after the bitter memories of the tragic Nigerian civil war.
The PDP Presidenctial Candidate stated that unity, which is also his agenda as a politician, is essential to building a strong country, adding that a divided country is a weakened country.
He also use this opportunity to call on politicians, religious leaders and other opinion leaders to continue to encourage unity among the people “because disunity feeds hate, which in turn, feeds conflicts.
“We should always make utterances that promote love and unity and avoid statements that stoke bitter divisions and intolerance”, the former Vice President noted.
The establishment of NYSC was in response to the challenges arising from the Nigerian civil war, which ended in 1970 under the leadership of General Yakubu Gowon who sought, among other measures to harness the potential of Nigerian youths for the implementation of its post-war policy of Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation.
