The Director, South-South Area Office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Obiageri Okpalifo, said the scheme had greatly impact every sector of Nigeria by fostering unity and community development programmes.

Mrs Okpalifo said this on Friday during the celebration of the scheme’s 53rd anniversary.

She stated that over the years, NYSC had helped in many areas by partnering with government agencies to implement their programmes and sensitise rural communities about the programme.

She added, “Let’s take for instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has what is called financial inclusion. They reached out to NYSC to go to various communities. We are using corps members to go from one rural community to another, teaching people who do not know how to use their phone, either to do transfer or do business transactions; so,  the scheme has helped fulfill the programme of the CBN.”

She added that the scheme continued to play a significant role in the social and economic development of communities across the country.

The State Coordinator, NYSC, John Kwaghe, said that the objective of NYSC was to unite Nigerians, impacting lives and helping the economy to grow.

He added, “Without NYSC, there will not be teachers in lot of schools; without NYSC there will not be doctors, so the impact of NYSC is felt even in our individual homes and communities. Building bridges, uniting communities, those things that have made us to deny ourselves in the past. 

“The scheme has served as a uniting force. Also,  marriages have been built because of this scheme. If not for NYSC, I would not have been in Delta State. It is part of the beauty of the scheme and all of us should appreciate it.”

(NAN)