The outgoing Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has described the outbreak of COVID-19 as the most trying moments in his life as he thought the NYSC would crash on his head.
He, however, said he came, saw and conquered.
Ibrahim, in an interview with The PUNCH, pleaded with his successor, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fadah, and the National Assembly to conclude the process for the President to sign the NYSC Trust Fund into law.
He said, “The fight against COVID-19 was the most trying moment because it was as if the NYSC was crashing on my head. So, that is why we had to put on our thinking cap; the last stream was about passing out when we resumed orientation camp, and that is why Nigerians got to know the importance of the NYSC because we were getting calls, letters from both the public and private sectors that they didn’t have corps members as all their members had passed out.
“To me, I believe that I came, I saw and I conquered; the rest is there for history to judge.
“My only regret is that the NYSC Trust Fund that I have followed through and along with civil society groups has not come to fruition before I am leaving.
“So I appeal that my successor will follow through, and I also appeal to the National Assembly to conclude the process for Mr President to sign into law. And like I have said earlier, once this thing is done, it is like the NYSC is starting all over again as that is the way I look at it.”
Fadah assumed office with a warning to the top management and other staff members that he would not listen to gossips.
“I don’t like gossips, because if you gossip to me, I will invite the person (so you repeat the whispering campaign to his or her face). You don’t need to bring someone down to get elevated,” he said.
Fadah, however, promised to work with stakeholders for the progress of the organisation.
He said, “General Ibrahim has left behind a ‘big shoe’, but by the grace of God and with your support, my legs with fit into it.
“A lot of projects have been executed while some are still ongoing. Nevertheless, we will make sure we maintain the ones my predecessor has done while we pursue the ongoing ones to a logical end. This is a promise.
“Let us, therefore, work as one family sincerely. Let us justify our relationship with one another by performing our respective duties. Just do your work. That is what will define my relationship with you.”
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