By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on governments at all levels, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) cultural carnival and other youth-focused initiatives of the Scheme.
The minister made the call while serving as Special Guest of Honour at the cultural carnival organised by 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One corps members at the NYSC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja.
Represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, Musawa commended the corps members for their vibrant display of cultural dances and performances from states other than their places of origin, noting that the initiative reflected the core ideals of the NYSC in fostering national unity and integration.
She also applauded the NYSC management for providing an enabling environment that allows young Nigerians to showcase the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The minister assured that her ministry would continue to collaborate with the NYSC to institutionalise the cultural carnival as a nationally recognised event, adding that logistics and technical support would be provided to ensure its sustainability.
According to her, the ministry is also prepared to partner with the Ministry of Youth Development and the NYSC to identify, nurture and promote the talents of Nigerian youths at both national and international platforms.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the NYSC for promoting unity through its deployment policy, which exposes corps members to the cultures and traditions of different parts of the country.
Olawande, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Maryam Keshinro, described the cultural carnival as a veritable platform for celebrating Nigeria’s cultural diversity, while pledging continued support for corps members’ empowerment and the improvement of facilities at the FCT orientation camp.
Speaking in an interview, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and strengthening national cohesion.
He assured that corps members would continue to play an active role in projecting the country’s cultural values and fostering unity in diversity.
