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…Scheme constitutes 13-member National Selection Committee
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has revealed that no fewer than 1426 ex-corps members have benefitted from the President’s NYSC Honours Award since its commencement in 1974.
NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, made the disclosure while inaugurating a 13-member President Honours Award National Selection Committee, at the headquarters of the scheme in Abuja on Tuesday.
Explaining the methology and composition of the Committee, the Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, MR. A. F. Omotode, who spoke earlier noted that the National Selection Committee, is charged with the screening and selection of nominees for President’s NYSC Honours Award.
He added that the management, as part of deliberate efforts to ensure merit, objectivity, and thoroughness in the selection process, always draw the membership of the Committee, from relevant institutions, agencies and among other stakeholders that assist the NYSC in its programme implementation.
The members of the committee is drawn from the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police. Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), who are representatives of the private sector, the Committee of Vice Chancellors, the Committee of Rectors of Polytechnics, the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, National Council for Women Societies, two retired NYSC Directors and NYSC Director (CW&HS) as a member and Secretary.
In his address, the NYSC DG said: “As you may be aware, the President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 as a way of encouraging corps members to contribute to the overall national development through the programmes of the scheme.
“The award is to serve as motivation for hard work and reward for excellence among the corps members since its commencement 1426 ex-corps members have so far received the Award, which is usually conferred by the President.
“The selection process is based on the assessment of Corps Members performance in all the major programmes of the NYSC, namely orientation course; primary assignment; community development service, as well as winding-up and passing-out activities.
“In addition, other personal qualities such as sense of duty, drive, determination, initiative, resourcefulness, leadership traits, discipline and teamwork are taken into consideration.
“Usually, the best of the NYSC State Honours Award winners are nominated for consideration for the Presidential award. Therefore, the selection of final winners from the State nominees precedes every successful President’s NYSC Honours Award Ceremony.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the integrity of the selection process will determine the public acceptance of the eventual winners. On this premise, and given the caliber of personalities on this committee, I am confident that the outcomes of the impending screening and selection exercise will be credible.
“Being the highest body saddled with the evaluation of the performance and selection of corps members for the award, this committee is expected to improve on the standards already set. As you embark on this round of selection process, I implore you to approach the task dispassionately. “This is because management expects the emergence of candidates who, by all standards, will be acceptable by all. We also look forward to suggestions that will assist in improving the process.
“With the caliber of personalities on the Committee, I have no doubt that you will deliver on this important mandate. I wish to express my profound appreciation to the organisations that have been partnering with the NYSC by availing us of high calibre representatives to serve on this all-important Committee.
“The task you are embarking on has direct bearing not only on the scheme, but also the ex-corps members, who will be the beneficiaries, their families and the entire nation. I am confident that you will succeed by the grace of God,” the DG charged.
Committee chairman and VC University of Benin, Prof Lilian Salami, assured that the committee will be transparent in the discharge of the responsibility given to them.
“We must celebrate those çorps members that have distinguishing themselves and have served the country meritoriously. We assure you that those that deserve the award will rewarded,” he said.
