A statement by Obi’s media aide, Valentine Obienyem, quoted as saying: “I am aware the NYSC was formed in 1973 and we commend the wisdom that gave birth to it at that time. It was mainly set up to encourage nation-building and development as well as reconciliation and brotherhood among Nigerian youths.
Forty-five years after, the scheme is ripe for thorough appraisal as to make it more involving by deploying it as a platform through which young graduates with engage in skills acquisition, after which funding will be provided for them, based on chosen criteria, to start various trades,” Obi said.
Obi took the opportunity to encourage Nigerian youths to love one another and the country and to shun any form of negative tendencies that will be detrimental to the growth and development of the country.
One of the organizers of the event, Mr. Brendan Okoye said that the decision to invite Mr. Peter Obi was due to “his manifest patriotism and exemplary governance of Anambra State for eight years.”