By Meletus EZE
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, distributed N9.6 million to 72 former corps members, who served between 2013 and 2016, for distinguishing themselves during the service year.
The minister made the cash gift in Abuja at the 2018 FCT’s NYSC Honours’ award to outstanding corps members, who served in the FCT between 2013 and 2016.
Bello said cash gifts and certificates to the beneficiaries were to bolster youths’ confidence in the government of the day and to encourage their patriotism.
According to him, the FCT administration was an example of good governance driven towards critical democratic dividends.
“We are pursuing an aggressive commitment for higher indices in social responsibilities and the results cannot be overestimated.”
“The FCT administration is desirous of taking this giant stride beyond the NYSC enclaves to ensure hard work, creativity and innovation among teeming youths of the FCT,” he said.
He, however, urged the awardees to see the honour as a clarion call to aim higher for greater responsibilities.
Bello also commended the NYSC management for the initiative and foresight, which he said is capable of driving individual and collective ingenuity.
The minister urged the FCT youths, social welfare development secretariat and the NYSC FCT secretariat to come up with systematic process of talent hunt within the city.
In his welcome address, the Secretary, Social Development and Chairman NYSC FCT Governing Board, Mr Oladimeji Hassan congratulated the recipients of the 2018 NYSC honour awards.
He urged the awardees not to be carried away by the award, but should challenge their ingenuity in creative and innovative projects as well as to be patriotic at all times.
TBI Africa reports that 32 people received the Minister’s award and were given N200,000, while 40 others received N100,000 each.
Hassan also promised that the FCT and the NYSC would continually work together, to ensure that FCT Administration continue to provide ideals for economic development.
Mr Okoli Friday, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his appreciation to the FCT administration for the cash gifts, he also promised to work harder in his service to the community.
Also, Uzoeche Bukola, another recipient, commended the organisers and the FCT administration for the gifts and the opportunity to serve, while promising not to relent.
