The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) and Land Component Commander (LCC), Joint Task Force (JTF), South South (SS), Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has reassured that 6 Division under his watch will continue to prioritize the safety and security of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members within the Niger Delta Region (NDR). He gave the assurance on Tuesday, 24 June 25 at the Division’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt Barracks, when he played host to the Director General (DG), NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu and members of his entourage.

The GOC/LCC JTF SS OPDS, recalled with nostalgia his lifelong bond with the NYSC, stressing that he considered the scheme a home, owing to the fact that his former Head of Department as a Cadet at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Brigadier General Shofoluwe, who impacted positively on him became the DG NYSC.

Furthermore, Major General Emekah, congratulated the DG on his well deserved appointment and affirmed that his appointment is likened to the popularly saying “putting a round peg in a round hole”, having worked with him for several years, and can attest to his capacity to deliver on the mandate of the Scheme. He described, Brigadier General Nafiu, as a senior officer that discharges assigned responsibilities without supervision, stressing that it is commendable and worthy of emulation. The GOC, urged him to always consult widely, particularly with his predecessors,when the need arises in achieving the critical mandate of the NYSC.

Meanwhile, the DG NYSC, Brigadier General Olokunle Nafiu, earlier thanked the GOC for the warm reception accorded him and his team. He congratulated the GOC on his appointment and wished him well in his tour of duty. Speaking further, he said he was at the Division’s Headquarters to appreciate the GOC and his commanders for the level of support the scheme has been enjoying over the years, most especially under his command within the NDR. He said, “6 Division has always supported the NYSC by providing instructors that give excellent training to Corp members, yearly at the orientation camp, accommodating Corp members amongst others”. He also appealed to the GOC for the sustenance of that level of support.

Brigadier General Nafiu informed the GOC, that the NYSC Scheme has been in existence for over 52 years, steadfastly blazing the trial in fostering national integration and unity. He maintained that, Nigerian youths who graduated before the age of 30 years, have the opportunity to have their compulsory one year service to fatherland, even if they are 50 years and above provided they graduated before age 30, that window to serve would be provided to them by the scheme.