Regional leader presented with Nigerian Presidential Youth award

One of our Regional Leaders from the African Region, Olufunke Afesojaye, was presented with the Nigerian Presidential Youth Award earlier this month. The President's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) National Honours Award is a statutory award designed primarily to reward excellence amongst young persons who have been adjured remarkably outstanding during the mandatory service year via Community Development Service (CDS) and other programs of the NYSC scheme. It recognizes young people who have significantly impacted their communities through community development projects during their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The NYSC is a program set up by the Nigerian Government that involved Nigerian graduates in nation-building and the country's overall development. Under the NYSC’s Community Development Service and Special Projects Department, the NYSC looks to “galvanize the great potential of youth and generate community interest toward national development.” 

It is guided by its mission to enhance the living standard of host communities at all times and by its goal of improving the economic, health, political, and socio-cultural conditions of host communities toward sustainable development.

The award is bestowed by the Nigerian President. President Muhammadu Buhari granted automatic employment to 65 former members of the NYSC in the Federal Civil Service. The President who made the pronouncement today at the President's NYSC Honors Award Ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre stated that, of the 65 recipients, 52  received the Presidential Honours Awards

“It was indeed a great privilege to be hosted by the Ondo State Government! Many thanks to the Acting Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for his good gesture and for supporting diligence and hard work” - Olufunke Afesojaye 

While congratulating the awardees, the President called on other Corps members to key into the opportunities provided through various government initiatives to develop themselves for self-reliance as well as contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation. 

According to Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari is committed toward the promotion of Youth related activities for a better Nigeria, especially his approval of the N75bn Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), National Young Farmers Scheme (NYFS) as well as other supportive ventures aimed at empowering the youth of our country.

"We cannot achieve any meaningful development in the face of needless and avoidable crises, with the youth as the purveyors, when they hold a higher stake in Nigeria more than the older adults. Youth, the future belongs to you. Therefore, it behooves you to protect your future by safeguarding Nigeria, in words and deeds.” - President Muhammadu Buhari