The Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Head of the United Nations Youth Office, Felipe Paullier, has praised the National Youth Service Corps as a key driver of youth development in Nigeria.
Paullier made the remarks during the flag-off of the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers held in Kabusa community, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, during an official visit focused on engaging youth organisations and strengthening partnerships on development, peace, and human rights.
“I have interacted with many young and old Nigerians who are proud of their NYSC experiences,” he said, commending the scheme’s long-standing impact on national unity and youth engagement.
He also highlighted the importance of initiatives such as the NYSC rural health outreach, noting that they contribute to improving access to healthcare and advancing global development goals.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, said the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers has provided free medical services to more than five million Nigerians since its launch in 2014.
He added that the programme is expected to reach about 45,000 people this year across rural communities, supported by two new mobile clinics donated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“The NYSC’s free healthcare initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 of the United Nations, which focuses on good health and well-being,” Nafiu said.
He also explained that the initiative helps reduce the financial burden of healthcare on vulnerable households while promoting healthier lifestyles.
The NYSC DG thanked partners, donors, and corps medical personnel for their continued support, describing their efforts as “selfless contributions to national development.”
The traditional leader of Kabusa, Chief Samuel A. Kpowu, commended the scheme for bringing free medical services to the community, describing it as the first of its kind in the area.
The outreach included a range of medical services such as consultations, laboratory tests, eye care, health education, treatment, and referrals. A Corps Medical Doctor also delivered a health talk and translated key messages into Gbagyi to ensure better understanding among residents.
