The Zamfara State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Muhammad Lawan, has appealed to the state government to establish a permanent orientation camp to improve the administration of the scheme and enhance the welfare of corps members posted to the state.
Lawan made the appeal during an interactive session with leaders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) across Zamfara’s local government councils in Gusau.
He commended Governor Dauda Lawal for the support his administration has continued to provide to the NYSC, noting that the assistance has contributed significantly to the smooth implementation of the scheme’s activities and the well-being of corps members.
According to him, the absence of a permanent orientation camp remains a major challenge, adding that such a facility would provide adequate accommodation, improved infrastructure and enhanced security for participants during orientation exercises.
He explained that a dedicated camp would also improve the delivery of the compulsory three-week orientation programme and create a more conducive environment for training and development activities.
Lawan added that the facility could serve as a hub for entrepreneurship training and skills acquisition programmes, benefiting corps members as well as other young people in the state.
The coordinator also expressed appreciation to the state government for strengthening security around NYSC activities and improving welfare support for corps members.
He further praised the administration for constituting the state’s NYSC Governing Board in compliance with the provisions of the NYSC Act.
Highlighting the contributions of corps members to development in Zamfara, Lawan said they continue to play vital roles in key sectors, particularly education and healthcare.
According to him, many schools and health facilities rely heavily on corps members to sustain service delivery, especially in underserved communities.
He noted that corps members have also executed several community development projects, including the construction of boreholes, sanitation facilities, mini-libraries and vocational training centres aimed at improving living conditions in their host communities.
Lawan said the NYSC scheme has maintained a positive impact on education, healthcare, rural development and community empowerment initiatives throughout the state.
He also congratulated the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, on the occasion of the scheme’s 53rd anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of decades of national service and youth development.
The coordinator recalled that the NYSC was established in 1973 to promote national unity, integration and mutual understanding among young Nigerians from diverse backgrounds following the civil war.
He stated that the scheme has continued to pursue these objectives by deploying corps members to different parts of the country where they contribute meaningfully to social and economic development.
Lawan reaffirmed the commitment of the NYSC to fostering national cohesion, cultural exchange and grassroots development through its various programmes and initiatives.
He also acknowledged the role of the media in promoting the activities of the scheme and thanked journalists for their continued cooperation and support.
The coordinator urged media organisations to sustain their partnership with the NYSC by giving wider publicity to its programmes and showcasing the positive impact corps members continue to make in communities across Zamfara State.