President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday in Daura, Katsina State, challenged
members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to live up to
expectation of the founding fathers by utilising their education and
privilege of visiting different parts of the country to unite Nigerians.
Receiving the youth corps members at his country home in Daura during
the Eid el-Kabir Sallah celebration, alongside the President of Republic
of Guinea, Prof. Alfa Conde, President Buhari said the primary focus of
the NYSC is to expose graduates to the beauty and diversity of the
country, and return to their states or any part of the country to share
their experiences.
The President said they should always emphasize the common values of
peaceful co-existence, kindness and hospitality that cut across all
cultures and religion in Nigeria.
President Buhari said the entire nation depends on past and serving
youth corps members to bridge the country, since they have the
first-hand experience of living with different ethnic groups in various
parts of the country, studying their cultures and traditions, and
enjoying hospitality, which underpins every community in Nigeria.
“From Lagos, Port Harcourt and other parts of the country, you are at
the end of the country. This posting will make you know this place,
Daura, and you can disabuse the minds of those who are not educated
about the other side of the country.
“It is only the NYSC that is merging us together and of course, the
police and soldiers,” he said.
The President noted that in every meeting with former Head of State,
Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who initiated the programme in 1973 to promote unity
and understanding among Nigerians, he always remembers to appreciate the
ingenuity of the programme and need for continuity.
In his remarks, the President of Guinea said the diversity of Nigeria
remains its greatest strength, urging the youth corps members to always
see themselves first as Nigerians, before identifying with their ethnic
background.
“First, you are Nigerians before you are from any other part of the
country. So promote the unity of the country regardless of your tribes,”
he added.
The Chief Liaison Officer of NYSC in Daura, Aliyu Abdullahi, said it
was a privilege to serve in the hometown of the President, and also meet
with him and the Eid el-Kabir special guest, President Conde, urging the
President to intensify the fight against corruption.
Abdullahi commended President Buhari for the efforts to restore peace,
security and unity in the country, assuring him of the prayers and
support of the corps members.
President Buhari donated two cows and ten bags of rice to the corps
members, and some money, while the President of Republic of Guinea also
complemented with two cows.