The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has launched its novel Radio and Television Stations to promote National Unity.
The unveiling ceremony was held at the Corps’ headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, April 14, 2022.
Delivering his keynote address at the ceremony, NYSC Director General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated that the establishment of NYSC media outfits was part of activities designed to further advance the cause of the Scheme.
According to him, the Scheme symbolizes national unity, and was in the forefront of raising a crop of youth entrepreneurs that contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Products through their exposure to the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training.
The NYSC Helsman disclosed that, while the NYSC Radio broadcasts on Channel 88.3 FM in Abuja, the NYSC Television runs on TStv Channel 365.
Explicating the philosophy behind the establishment of the stations, Gen. Shuaibu said: “The philosophy behind the establishment of these stations is multifaceted. They will educate and entertain, give the Scheme a stronger voice to propagate the programmes and sensitize Nigerians on the policies of government, in addition to the promotion of national unity, national ethos, as well as values re -orientation”.
He added that the stations would, “contribute in redirecting the mindsets of Nigerians, especially the youth, towards things that are noble”, Shuaibu stated.
The NYSC boss explained that the stations would be primarily run by Corps Members under the supervision of relevant NYSC Staff members.
He further noted that the stations were also meant to provide an avenue to train the skills of successive batches of Corps Members interested in pursuing careers in the broadcast industry, particularly in the areas of Production, TV/Radio Engineering, Programme presentation Graphic design, Content development, among others.
The NYSC Czar highlighted other strides made by the present Management of the Scheme to include: Resuscitation of weekly NYSC Television and Radio programmes to sustain the wide publicity being enjoyed by the Scheme, Establishment of new NYSC Garment Factory, Bakery and Water Factory in Keffi, Nasarawa State, Successful commencement of the enrolment of Corps members for the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS), amongst others.
In his address, Former Head of State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Gen. Yakubu Gowon stated that the establishment of
NYSC Radio and Television Stations was one of the greatest achievements of the National Youth Service Corps in recent times.
Gowon commended and urged the NYSC Management to sustain the tempo of its on-going strides which have kept the Scheme in the national and global limelight.
He added that his earnest expectation was that Nigerians would not only find the NYSC media outfits as reliable platforms for information dissemination, education and entertainment, but also ensure regular patronage of their services.
He also noted that the Media outfits would no doubt contribute towards enhancing and sustaining the capacity of the Scheme to consolidate its achievement as well as reach out to its global audience.
In particular, he said, they would serve as veritable tools for driving our quest for national unity; cohesion and purposeful development.
Others dignitaries at the inauguration ceremony include: Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mallam Ismail Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Royal Fathers among others.
