The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC has launched its annual Community Development Service (CDS) activities for 2022 and the Director-General CDS Award with the theme, “Harnessing the gains of community development service of rural communities” on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Hon. Muhammed Musa Bello while declaring open the the 2022 Community Development Service, commended the Director-General of the NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim and members of his management staff for the giant strides that the scheme has achieved in recent years.
“As one of the four cardinal programmes of the Scheme, CDS have impacted grately on the lives of Nigerians across the country leading to improvement in their economic, health, political and social -cultural conditions”.
He also commended the efforts of the management of the scheme in galvanizing the potentials of corps members while also eliciting community interest towards national development.
Speaking further, the Minister commended the patriotism of Nigerian youths who have contributed their quota to social -economic, political development and growth of the country through their selfless services under the CDS activities.
The Minister while assuring the FCT Administration support for the NYSC scheme, called on Nigerians to support the NYSC in its bid to actualize the goals and objectives of the Community Development Service.
“As we are not unaware of the positive impact corps members are making on the various sector of the economy of the nation capital, Corps members ideas must be supported by all through the provision of funds and materials for the benefits of our host communities”.
Cardinal programme of NYSC
The Director-General of the NYSC, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his welcome address disclosed that the Community Development Service is a cardinal programme of the NYSC, through which the Scheme has continued to make positive impact on communities, including the remotest villages of the country.
He noted that the institution of the Director-General’s CDS Award, which commenced in 2021, “is to recognize and reward the hard work and innovativeness of Corps members; dedication and commitment of the CDS Officers, as well as the immense support of our partners towards the successful execution of CDS programmes”.
General Ibrahim while commending the Director and Staff of the Community Development Service and Special Projects Department for their doggedness in initiating and implementing CDS programmes also appreciated the efforts of all State coordinators and the CDS schedule officers for their commitment as field managers of the programmes, including the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the National Environmental Sanitation Exercise, that have continued to endear NYSC to Nigerians.
Speaking on Corps members sacrifice for the nation, he said that, “this is also a unique moment to salute Corps members nationwide, who, as our foot soldiers in the execution of all CDS activities, continue to strive to leave their footprints in the sand of time.
“It is heart-warming to note the remarkable improvements in the weekly Group CDS activities of the Corps members, including the ones on health services; campaign against drug abuse; quality control; legal aid; and education development amongst others”.
He said, “there is no gainsaying the fact that nation-building is a cooperative enterprise for which all and sundry must play their roles. This much has been demonstrated by our valued partners in the CDS programme”.
He thanked them for their unwavering support, especially through the provision of technical and material assistance which enables them to make deeper impact on Nigerian communities.
He therefore called on Government Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and the organized private sector to partner with NYSC in their strides for a greater Nigeria.
He also commended the various stakeholders that have shown immense support for the proposed NYSC Trust Fund, which has reached advanced stage of legislation.
“The Trust Fund will make the Community Development Service more impactful through the provision of adequate logistics for execution of the various programmes”.
The DG congratulated all the Awardees for the feats achieved.
He commended the entire CDS family for the achievements of the year 2021 and urged them to redouble their efforts towards reaping bountiful harvests of development projects across the country as this is a task that must be accomplished.
Initiating and executing projects
Earlier, the Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Abdulrazak Salaeu said CDS remains an enduring platform for corps members to initiate and execute projects aimed improving the living standard their host communities. Such projects includes construction of culverts and bridges, tree planting, digital connectivity, literacy campaign, quality medical services to the rural dwellers, among others.
The event witnessed the launch of CDS programmes by the Director General of NYSC. Some of the programmes launched includes: traditional (group) CDS, year round (personal) CDS, collaborative CDS, special programmes and awards to deserving corps members and coordinators.
Emmanuel Ukoh
