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Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, believes the National Youth Service Corps, or NYSC, is here to stay since its contributions to national development are undeniable.
Dare spoke in Abuja on Saturday night at the screening of “A Call to Service,” an advocacy film created by the NYSC.
The film was created to raise awareness of the scheme’s importance in encouraging patriotism, national unity, peace, and togetherness.
Nollywood performers such as Pete Edochie, Toyin Abraham, Ali Nuhu, Belinda Effah, Imeh Bishop, popularly known as “Okon Lagos,” and comedian Anita Asuoha, better known as “Real Warripikin,” were among those that appeared in the film.
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The minister commended the timely release of the movie as the relevance of the scheme has been under public scrutiny and debate in recent time.
“The timing of this movie could not have been better after weeks and months of debates about whether the NYSC is relevant or not and whether the scheme should be scrapped or should continue.
“The answer to the critics, to the anti-NYSC is in the premiere of this movie. This movie needs to travel and hit every viewing platform across this country and in the diaspora; it must go viral.
“The message must go out strong and clear, that the NYSC has come to stay. The scheme is more relevant now than it has ever been before,” the minister said.
He said that the release of the movie would assist the ministry with its plans in ensuring that the NYSC Trust Fund is created.
According to the minister, I believe that before the end of the first quarter of next year when we have done all that is necessary, I will be able to present a memo to the (Federal Executive) Council for the establishment of an NYSC Trust Fund.
Former Head of State and NYSC originator Yakubu Gowon has encouraged the Federal Government’s legislative and executive branches to take the required steps to establish the NYSC Trust Fund.
Mr Gowon, who was represented by Yusuf Nalado, a member of the NYSC Governing Board, stated that the gift would safeguard the scheme’s survival and the future of Nigerian young.
Mr Gowon urged Nigerians to continue to support the scheme in order for it to fulfil its goal.
According to Shuaibu Ibrahim, the NYSC Director-General, the scheme developed the film to drive the scheme’s relevance and to give a platform for corps members to realise their potential.
Mr Ibrahim stated that the film also aimed to educate local and foreign-trained graduates on the importance of national service and the legal ramifications of failure to comply.
“You are all aware that NYSC has for long become a household name in Nigeria owing to its invaluable contributions to national unity and development.
“In particular, its role in the training and mentoring of the youth in preparation for their future leadership responsibilities have been appreciated by all and sundry.
“The movie we are unveiling today is part of the innovative approaches of the present management to engendering a greater appreciation of the relevance of the scheme.
“It is an advocacy and sensitisation tool that is also expected to influence a greater commitment of stakeholders to their roles and responsibilities as spelt out in the NYSC Act Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the NYSC Bye-Laws.
According to Ibrahim, the film is also being made to encourage local and foreign-trained Nigerian graduates who are eligible for national service to volunteer after graduation.
He claimed that doing so would keep the graduates from being charged with absenteeism, absconding, or certificate fraud.
According to the director-general, the film was made under the schemes movie production platform “NYSCwood,” which was established to educate the public on pertinent subjects.
“Some of the actors in the movie were serving corps members at the time of its production. Indeed, the film was produced by a corps member, JairusPaul Osazuwa.
“This is in line with our policy of providing opportunities for corps members to develop their potential. It is in this regard that we established the NYSC movie production platform, which we christened NYSCwood.
“Already, we have produced several short films aimed at sensitising the public on issues such as elections, safe blood donation, and campaign against open defecation.
“Apart from deploying our movies as instruments of entertainment and education, the NYSCwood will serve as a training platform for corps members who will be interested in pursuing a career as professional movie actors while also generating revenue for the scheme,” Ibrahim said.
He also stated that the plan has inked a collaboration arrangement with the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, to give a platform for corps members to grow and enhance their creativity.
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