The newly appointed Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has assumed office with a pledge to implement reforms aimed at improving the welfare and career prospects of corps members.
Brig.-Gen. Nafiu stated this when he officially took over from the immediate-past Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Dogara Ahmed at the handover ceremony in Abuja.
Alexa News Nigeria earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu appointed Nafiu as the 23rd Director-General of the scheme.
In his address, the new Director-General highlighted the role NYSC has played since its establishment in 1973 in fostering national unity and providing essential services to communities across Nigeria.
He noted that corps members often serve as the only available educators, healthcare providers, and legal advisors in rural areas, making their contributions invaluable to national development.
“The corps members are a beacon of hope, inspiration, and assurance of reward for hard work that upcoming generations emulate in many rural communities,” he stated.
He pledged to prioritise their well-being with a focus on enhancing feeding, hygiene, and overall service conditions.
Additionally, he assured that administrative bottlenecks affecting corps members’ welfare would be addressed promptly to ensure a smooth and fulfilling service year.
The Director-General also highlighted his plans to strengthen the job-matching programme, ensuring that more corps members secure employment opportunities in the private sector.
He also proposed incentives to encourage employers to retain corps members beyond their service year, boosting post-NYSC employment prospects.
Acknowledging the contributions of his predecessors, he commended the past Director-Generals for their leadership in sustaining the scheme through challenging times.
He also urged NYSC staff to remain dedicated to their duties and set a good example for corps members.
“My leadership philosophy will focus on repositioning the scheme to meet the demands of contemporary society and excel in tackling future challenges,” he said.