Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Tuesday called for more federal allocation to states to enable them to execute more people-oriented projects.
The Sultan made the call at the inauguration of the permanent orientation camp of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) in Wamakko, Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The camp was built and equipped by the state government at a cost of about N1.2 billion.
The monarch said a lion share of the money from the federation account is being allocated to the federal government.
” More money from the federation account should be given to the states to enable them execute more developmental projects aimed at further improving the living standard of Nigerians,” he said.
Abubakar said that the NYSC scheme had immensely contributed to ensuring the even socio-economic development of the nation.
The monarch also promised to continue to do his best to ensure its success at all levels, describing the youths as the future of the country.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, while inaugurating the project, said the camp was the first of its kind executed by any state government, since the inception of the scheme in 1973.
The former Head of state also extolled the contributions of the corps members, past and present, in ensuring the success of the programmes and policies of the three tiers of government.
Gowon also commended the contributions of the NYSC to the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections.
”The scheme has helped to keep Nigeria one and united, and the task of ensuring the sustenance of this feat is a collective one by all Nigerians,” he said.
Governor Aliyu Wamakko maintained that the scheme has remained as a veritable tool for the implementation of government programmes and policies across Nigeria.
” We will continue to believe, cherish and preach the lofty ideals of peace and unity, as God created Nigerians with diverse backgrounds to unite us and not to divide us.
” We will continue to do everything humanly possible to ensure the welfare and comfort of the corps members,” he said.
The Director General of NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, commended the state government for the gesture, and promised that the corps members would ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the facilities.
Olawumi also commended the Federal Government for trying to adequately fund the scheme in spite of several competing demands.
” The other tiers of government and other stakeholders are also trying their best to assist the scheme, although more should be done,” he said.
