Some 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream Two National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed in Anambra state have expressed happiness over cultural carnival on camp, which they described as beautiful experiences.
Dressed in various traditional attires during their cultural carnival at the NYSC temporary orientation site, Umuaya in Uyi local government area of Anambra state, over the weekend, the corps members commended the scheme for the programme.
Some of the corps members who spoke to Daily Trust expressed happiness over the carnival, which according to them, was bonding.
Abdul Aziz Muhammed Yusuf, from Kano state, told Daily Trust that he had spent all his life in the North.
“I appreciate the cultural carnival. It brings unity and understanding among us. There is no other organisation in the country that brings people together more than NYSC. I am enjoying Anambra state because they welcomed us wholeheartedly,” he said.
Another corps member, Musa Lawan, from Jigawa state also said: “Honestly, the cultural carnival is good for us the younger ones to appreciate our different cultural backgrounds and values.
“Honestly, when I was posted to Anambra state; I was scared because I have not been to the state before. But now, I am at home and comfortable. Anambra state is a nice place; they have fantastic structures everywhere. They relate well with us and I am happy being here for the first time.”
Also, Olarinde Olubunmi, from Oyo state said the carnival has helped them to understand how people live, dress and greet, especially those who had not travelled outsider their immediate environment.
He said it has also exposed them to various cultural differences, including languages, dressing and foods.
“In fact, NYSC is an integrating Institution and one of the most powerful uniting forces in Nigeria,” he noted.
Another corps member, Simon Uwemedino, an Ijaw, said: “Some of us here have never experienced an Ijaw culture and traditions; this gave us the opportunity to experience it. And you can see that they are all happy. We are denied of these because of western culture.”
In his opening remarks, the NYSC coordinator, Anambra state, Kehinde Aremu, said that any nation without culture is doomed. He urged the corps members to be culturally conscious.
“I stand here to trace the nation’s underdevelopment to non-teaching of history and culture. I thanked God today that they have been restored in our schools’ curriculum,” he added.
He urged the corps members to learn, interact and integrate with others while in the service, noting that most of the people they met there will sustain them in life.
Highlights of the event, was cultural display, which include Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Igala, and Nupe, among others.
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