The Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs and Head of the United Nations Youth Office, Felipe Paullier, has praised the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its sustained impact on youth development and social inclusion in Nigeria.
He gave the commendation at the launch of the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) held in Kabusa community in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday during a visit focused on strengthening cooperation with youth institutions on peacebuilding, development, and human rights.
Paullier said his interactions with Nigerians revealed widespread pride in the NYSC programme, describing it as a major platform for “fostering unity and youth engagement.”
He also noted that the corps’ rural health interventions align with global efforts to improve access to basic healthcare services.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General, Olakunle Nafiu, said the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers has provided free medical services to more than five million people since its inception in 2014.
He added that the programme is expected to reach about 45,000 beneficiaries in rural communities this year, supported by two mobile clinics donated by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
According to him, the initiative contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 3, while helping to ease the financial burden of healthcare on vulnerable households.
He also expressed appreciation to development partners, donors, and corps medical personnel for their continued support and commitment to service delivery.
The traditional ruler of Kabusa, Chief Samuel A. Kpowu, lauded the outreach, describing it as a “landmark health intervention for the community.”
The programme provided a range of services, including consultations, laboratory tests, eye care, health education, treatment, and referrals, with a corps medical doctor also delivering sensitisation in the Gbagyi language for better community understanding.
