The Federal Government says NYSC has salvaged Nigeria’s electoral system, and institutionalized free, fair and credible elections in the Country.

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo stated this during the opening of the 50th anniversary of the scheme in Abuja.

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, was established 50 years ago by the General Yakubu Gowon-led Federal Government for national unity and integration to accelerate national healing and rebirth after the thirty months civil war, which left a divided nation.

The scheme was also aimed at harnessing the potentials of young, educated Nigerian graduates towards the task of National development.

The Vice President, represented by the Minister of Power, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu said the scheme had also made itself indispensable by evolving policies and programmes that identified it as foremost institution for development in the nation.

In a lecture, former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, said the scheme should be repositioned for greater value addition to national unity, integration and development.

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, promised that the State government would build more lodges and provide better welfare packages for corps members posted to the State.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, said that the 50th anniversary of the scheme was an opportunity to evolve strategies that would strengthen the Scheme, make it more sustainable and broaden its scope of operations.

The Director General of the scheme, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed said NYSC had contributed in all spheres of Education, Health, and Infrastructure development of the nation and deserved to be celebrated.