Governor Ododo Inaugurates Kogi NYSC Governing Board, Says Strong Leadership Will Boost Youth Development and National Integration
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has inaugurated the Kogi State NYSC Governing Board, saying a strong and coordinated board will enhance youth development, corps members’ welfare, security, and national integration across the state.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has inaugurated the Kogi State Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), declaring that a strong, coordinated and effective board remains essential to advancing youth development, strengthening national integration and ensuring the successful implementation of the NYSC scheme in the state.
The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Joel Salifu, performed the inauguration on Thursday at the Deputy Governor’s Office in Lokoja, describing the board as a strategic institution that will provide the leadership, policy direction and collaboration needed to consolidate the achievements of the NYSC in Kogi State.
Addressing members of the newly inaugurated board, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to policies and programmes that empower young people, promote national unity and strengthen institutions that drive sustainable development.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to youth empowerment, human capital development and the broader vision of building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
According to the Governor, the effectiveness of the NYSC scheme at the state level depends largely on sound coordination among relevant stakeholders, noting that the Governing Board occupies a critical position in ensuring the smooth implementation of the scheme.
He said members of the board were appointed based on their competence, experience and proven commitment to public service, expressing confidence in their ability to provide purposeful leadership that would further strengthen the operations of the NYSC in Kogi State.
Governor Ododo congratulated the chairman and other members of the board on their appointments, describing the assignment as a call to higher national service and greater responsibility.
He urged them to work collectively in promoting the welfare, safety and overall well-being of corps members deployed to the state, while strengthening collaboration with security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to guarantee a secure and conducive environment throughout their service year.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and Chairman of the Kogi State NYSC Governing Board, Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe, described the NYSC as one of Nigeria’s most important institutions for promoting patriotism, leadership development, national unity and community service.
He said the newly inaugurated board would immediately commence preparations for the forthcoming orientation course and the formal inauguration of corps members posted to Kogi State.
Hon. Anyebe commended Governor Ododo for consistently prioritising youth-focused programmes through deliberate investments and policies, assuring that his ministry would continue to work closely with the NYSC management and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the scheme.
Also speaking, the Kogi State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Chris Moneke Chika Tochi, reaffirmed the commitment of the scheme to supporting the socio-economic development of the state.
She noted that corps members would continue to contribute meaningfully to community development, education, healthcare, agriculture and other sectors through strategic collaboration with the state government.
The newly inaugurated Governing Board comprises Hon. Monday Aridaojo Anyebe as Chairman; ACP Anslom Ali; Lieutenant Colonel I. S. Kar; the Kogi State NYSC Coordinator, who serves as Secretary; Commissioners representing the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Education, Science and Technology, and Commerce and Industry; the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command; and the Commander, 12 Brigade, Chari Maigumeri Barracks, Lokoja.
The inauguration underscores the Kogi State Government’s resolve to strengthen institutional support for the NYSC scheme while creating an enabling environment for corps members to contribute effectively to the state’s development agenda.