Ten members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have departed Abuja for the Republic of India as part of a Youth Exchange Programme organized by the Indian National Cadet Corps.
NYSC’s director of press and public relations, Eddy Megwa made this known in a statement issued on Saturday.
The annual event honours India’s Independence Anniversary and attracts young participants from various continents including Europe, Asia, and Africa.
During a pre-departure briefing held at the Indian High Commission in Abuja, the NYSC director-general, Brigadier General Y. D. Ahmed, expressed appreciation for the invitation extended to the scheme to participate in the programme.
He said the invitation, being the second one, was another opportunity for the scheme “to showcase the potential of the Nigerian youths while also giving participants the opportunity to understand the socio-economic similarities and differences between the two countries.”
He noted that Nigeria is a country with diverse cultures and that the scheme was always open to collaborating with agencies both within and outside the country, for the promotion of its objectives.
“We are deeply honored to receive this invitation, and we see it as another chance to highlight the capabilities of Nigerian youths as well as to understand our socio-economic parallels and divergences with India,” stated Ahmed.
The Director General also emphasized the diversity within Nigeria and the central role of NYSC in fostering national unity and development.
Indian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, appreciated the contributions of the scheme to the development of Nigeria, saying its selection for participation in the youth exchange programme along with other countries was informed by its uniqueness as well as similarities with the National Cadet Corps of India.
While promising the corps members memorable and impactful experiences during the programme, the high commissioner said India would be willing to learn from the scheme’s experiences.
He further expressed the pleasure of the Indian government with the last set of corps members who attended the country’s 75th independence anniversary and urged the present set to emulate their predecessors, as all expenses for the trip would be catered for by the Indian government.
