NYSC Vital to Nigeria’s Unity, Says 6 Division GOC

 

By Wakirike Herald

The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro, has described the National Youth Service Corps as an important platform for strengthening Nigeria’s unity and promoting understanding across ethnic, cultural and religious divides.

Okoro, who also serves as Land Component Commander of Operation Delta Safe, made the remarks while receiving the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Moses Oleghe, and his management team at Bori Camp Barracks in Port Harcourt.

He said the scheme’s practice of bringing young graduates together to serve outside their states of origin created opportunities for cultural exchange, peaceful coexistence and a shared sense of national belonging.

The GOC commended NYSC officials and corps members for their contributions to nation-building, stressing that the relationships developed through national service could help strengthen bonds among Nigerians from different backgrounds.

Security Support for Corps Members

Beyond the scheme’s integration role, Okoro assured the Rivers State NYSC management that the Division would continue to support security arrangements for corps members, particularly during their arrival for orientation programmes.

He said appropriate measures would be deployed to reduce security threats and protect participants.

The assurance addressed a practical concern for graduates serving away from home: the need for a safe environment in which to undertake their assignments and engage with their host communities.

However, details of the proposed security measures, including deployment arrangements and their coverage, were not provided.

Okoro also praised Oleghe’s dedication to duty and his role in maintaining a cordial working relationship between the NYSC and the Nigerian Army.

Strengthening Institutional Cooperation

Earlier, Oleghe thanked the GOC for his support, saying the visit was intended to consolidate the existing relationship between the two institutions and strengthen cooperation in carrying out their responsibilities.

He said Okoro had demonstrated support for the scheme despite having only recently assumed his assignment.

The coordinator appealed for continued access to the Division’s leadership whenever the NYSC required assistance.

Established in 1973 after the Nigerian Civil War, the NYSC was conceived as a means of promoting reconciliation, reconstruction and national integration through service outside graduates’ states of origin.

The Port Harcourt meeting placed both national cohesion and corps members’ welfare at the centre of the discussion. For those posted to Rivers State, the practical value of that cooperation will depend on how effectively assurances of protection translate into support throughout their service.

Wakirike Herald
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