In a speech at the Nigerian Youth Service Corps’ 50th Anniversary Honours Award ceremony, which was held Thursday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari emphasized key achievements of the youth training program since its founding.

The president said that out of the 65 recipients, 52 individuals received the Presidential Honours Awards while 13 physically challenged ex-Corps Members were recognized through their participation in the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

In addition to the jobs, Buhari announced that both groups would be awarded scholarships so that they could continue their studies and earn doctorate degrees from any Nigerian university of their choosing.

He announced a cash prize of N250,000.00 for each of the top award winners and N200,000.00 for other award recipients—including ex-Corps members under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme with disabilities (PWDs).

Therefore, the President directed the Head of the Civil Service of Federation, Federal Civil Service Commission and Minister for Education to ensure adherence to employment offers and granting scholarship.

Buhari also paid tribute to corps members from the batches being honored, who lost their lives under various circumstances while serving the nation.

The president also sympathized with those who had suffered varying degrees of disability while in service to their country, acknowledging the sacrifices they made and assuring them that he stood by them.

He applauded the leadership of past and present leaders for their vision in establishing NYSC, which has made it possible to mobilize Nigerian youth towards building a better nation.

Buhari praised the patriotism of all Nigerians who have answered the call for National Service in past fifty years—a commitment he says is still required to meet equally important challenges today.

He said that, in order to break down ethnic suspicions and divisions across the country, it has justified its establishment as an interventionist agency with a core mandate of fostering national unity.

Buhari also expressed his deep appreciation to retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the founding father of the scheme, who conceived the idea of the  corps and brought it to fruition on May 22, 1973.