The Batch A stream II corps members undergoing an orientation course in Kano State have staged a cultural carnival to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.
This is to emphasize the call for stronger unity among Nigerians with a view to promoting the socio-economic development of the country.
The event was part of ceremonies scheduled for the 48 anniversary of the scheme.
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Some of the corps members, who spoke to Daily Trust, described the country’s diverse make-up as an asset that could be harnessed for the benefit of all, urging the leaders to create enabling environment for all to live and thrive wherever they choose to be.
No fewer than 1,750 corps members participated in the unity walk and carnival meant to celebrate the country’s diversity.
In her speech, the NYSC State Coordinator in Kano, Hajiya Aisha Tata-Mohammed, harped on the achievements of the scheme in uniting the nation.
She said, “NYSC is now 48 years old and every Nigerian shared in that pride and in the success recorded by the scheme in the areas of brotherhood entrenchment, national development and integration.
“The essence of the NYSC carnival today is to leverage on our traditions to showcase different cultural identities while appreciating our diversity as our strength.
“We shall prevail because we chose to move forward as one indivisible nation and one people.
“The unity match is a new programme well-packaged by the courage of our convictions that together we share the optimism of an NYSC scheme that triumphed over challenges, and shall continue to do so despite misconceptions or criticisms in some quarters.
“Those critics are wrong and the NYSC will come out of it soonest.
“The sterling achievements of the NYSC programme, no doubt, overshadow any negative assumptions from some individuals calling for its scrap.
“I wish to remind everyone that, apart from national cohesion and community development, NYSC also offers corps members an extra ordinary chance to skill themselves in various SAED sectors,” she said.
She, therefore, charged the corps members to utilise all the opportunities given to them by the scheme to develop themselves and the country.
