NYSC/NIDCOM: Partnering For Youth And National Development

NYSC/NIDCOM: Partnering For Youth And National Development

By Bridget Temtsen

The urgent need for the establishment and creation of Diaspora-NYSC Desk

office in the country has been stressed.

Such partnership will enhance further collaboration between the two

agencies.

is responsible for the coordination and engagement of the Nigerians in

Diaspora in the policies, project and participation in the Development

of Nigeria.

NYSC,  on the other hand, which was established in 1973, is a mandatory

service for Nigerian graduates, which qualifies them for employment in

governmental establishments (and most private establishments) after

completion of one year service.

On this premise, the creation of Diaspora Desk at NYSC will go a long

way in not only enhancing the relationship between the two agencies but

assist in a long way to take adequate care of returning Nigerians from

abroad.

The Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike

Dabiri-Erewa made this cheering news known when she visited the

Director-General of National Youth Service Corps Brigadier- General

Shuaibu Ibrahim in Abuja.

The NIDCOM boss stressed the need for the second and third generation of

Nigerian youths to be adequately sensitised on the importance of coming

back home to contribute to the growth and development of their country.

The significance of this scheme is such that the certificate can

determine your space in the workforce.

Such was the fate of a former minister, whose appointment willingly came

to an end following the discovery that her NYSC exemption certificate

was fake.

One would wonder what effect the NIDCOM and Diaspora/NYSC relationship

has on our national and economic growth.

As the commission is responsible for engaging Nigerians in the diaspora

in Nigeria’s policies, projects and involvement in Nigeria’s growth, the

collaboration between NIDCOM and NYSC will create a better environment

for Nigerian youth in the diaspora to willingly return home to provide

services to their father’s land.

Sequel to this, the Commission has accommodated more NYSC members than

even some ministries for their service year, despite being a new and

young agency.

Only recently, a Corps member serving with the Commission donated her

March allowance to help her state government, Kogi state, in battling

the Covid-19 pandemic.

This enlightenment will help prepare the Nigerian Diaspora youth for

active involvement in the building of the Nation while the Diaspora-NYSC

desk office will encourage their enrolment in the scheme and direct them

appropriately through challenges (if any) they will face before, during

and after enrolment.

The partnership between NIDCOM and NYSC is therefore a good step in the

right direction as it would go a long way in educating Nigerian youths

in the  diaspora and teaching them national and civic values necessary

to foster nation building.

  Bridget Midong Temtsen is a staff writer in the Media and Public

Relations Unit of NIDCOM, Abuja.