The National Youth Service Corps NYSC is taking deliberate steps to harness the untapped potential of Nigerian youth and ignite community engagement in support of national development.
Brigadier General Yushau’ Ahmed, the Director General of the NYSC, announced this initiative during the 2023 NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) Officers’ Workshop in Abuja, Nigeria.
The NYSC’s primary objective is to galvanise the nation’s youth to actively participate in national development through the Community Development Service (CDS) program.
This program aims to address rural development challenges and instill qualities of endurance, selflessness, leadership, patriotism, and creativity in young Nigerians.
According to Brigadier General Ahmed, the CDS program is poised to bring about positive changes in vital areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and economic empowerment, and foster a stronger sense of national identity and cultural renewal. It seeks to bridge the gap between grassroots development and the growth of local communities.
The Director General emphasised the pivotal role of the CDS program in the NYSC’s continued relevance, particularly in rural areas. The theme of the workshop, “Rejigging the NYSC Community Development Service for National Development,” was chosen to facilitate discussions on enhancing the CDS program’s impact and aligning it with global trends in emerging economies.
The workshop also serves as a platform for addressing emerging challenges faced by the CDS program.
Brigadier General Ahmed stressed the importance of active participation by CDS Schedule Officers, who play a crucial role as supervisors of CDS activities. Their engagement in the workshop is seen as essential for achieving the program’s objective of contributing significantly to national development.
The NYSC Director-General commended the Community Development Service (CDS) Department for its commitment to fulfilling the NYSC’s mission of contributing to national development.
The Director of Community Development Service and Special Projects,
Haji’a Zainab Isah highlighted the annual CDS Schedule Officers’ workshop as a vital event for enhancing staff competencies and productivity.
She encouraged the officers to take their roles seriously, as the knowledge gained from the workshop would guide them in their responsibilities, ultimately benefiting the NYSC’s development initiatives.
This year’s workshop, with the theme “Rejigging NYSC Community Development Service for National Development,” offers an opportunity to reassess and reposition the CDS program to make an even more significant contribution to national development, ensuring the continued relevance and success of the NYSC.
Dominica Nwabufo
