This is as he however notes that reform is a constant thing, and the NYSC is looking at some reforms to address challenges within the scheme.

Dare said this while presenting his ministry’s scorecard at an event held at the National Press Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, “When General Yakubu Gowon and that government decided to come up with the NYSC, the central rationale was the need to promote the unity of this country. And you know that the life wire of any nation is its youths. Once the youth are captured, their patriotism is captured and can spread across the country. So, the rationale behind bringing the NYSC on as a scheme by General Yakubu Gowon up until now still exists. Every country, including Nigeria, is still, daily, trying to promote its unity in diversity.

Some of us have never been to the part of the country where we served and never knew their culture, never experienced them. We will be celebrating NYSC’s 50th anniversary in May of next year. A committee will be inaugurated tomorrow. That committee will unearth the impact, the testimonies, and the power of the NYSC.

“If you look at that, you will not subscribe to scrapping the NYSC or even making it optional. But let me say this, reform is a constant thing, and the NYSC is looking at some reforms.”

Dare also said the ministry was working with the National Assembly, on a bill to bring back the National Sports Commission.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, who is the host of the presidential scorecard series, debunked the claims by opposition parties that the administration had no achievements to campaign with.

The appointment which took place at the NOC secretariat, National Stadium, Surulere Lagos on Friday, June 18, is another of the Minister’s initiatives geared towards driving a vibrant youth for national development.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare, described the former Chelsea star as a role model whose lasting legacies in football development have continued to have a positive impact on youths in the country.

He said “Time will not permit me to say much about Mikel’s success as a footballer. He is our legend and a role model who has continued to impact the lives of youth positively. It is my pleasure to appoint you as Nigeria Youth Ambassador. It’s a new portfolio and your role as youth ambassador will be made known to Nigerians,”

In his response, Mikel expressed delight with his new portfolio and promised to work with the sports Ministry to foster youth development in the country.

He said “I feel highly honoured to be appointed as Youth Ambassador of this country, it is a great feeling. I am happy with this partnership and I promise to do my best to encourage and inspire the youths towards national development not just in football but in other sports like Basketball, Boxing among others”

This new date follows several postponements due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown.

This was contained in a press statement released by the National Council on Sports under the chairmanship of the Hon Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare.

The statement read; “The National Council on Sports under the chairmanship of the Hon Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare at an Extra- Ordinary Council on Sports Virtual meeting held today 15th December 2020, unanimously agreed to host the NSF 2020 on 14- 28th 2021.

“Justifying the reasons behind the postponement from the initial date of 3rd-18th December 2020; the Hon. Minister explained to members of Council the need for better precautionary measures against COVID19 bearing in mind the expected influx of holiday makers during the festive period, as agreed between the Ministry, the Presidential Task Force on COVID19 and the Host State.

“Recall that the National Sports Festival tagged ‘EDO 2020’ was originally slated to hold early this year ( precisely March) but for the outbreak of the COVID-19 which necessitated the Postponement and suspension of all sporting activities to guard against the spread of the corona virus nationwide.”

The President who noted that youths are entitled to a peaceful protest in a meeting with the  Minister of Youths and Sports Development Mr Sunday Dare vowed to implement reforms he promised.

Dare said “Mr President said the youths of this country have spoken and he has heard and he has since gone to work for the youths of our country. The President promised that he will ensure that the reforms he has promised are met, he will make sure that the reforms are long-lasting and that the reforms will deliver for our country a police force that we will be proud of He appreciates the fact that they have brought the SARS issues to the fore through their peaceful protest. He recognises the fact that they have called upon the government to do what is necessary and that as the President and a father, he will make sure that the demands as put forward are met. The President said that as far as he is concerned, it’s important to allow the younger generation to exercise the freedom to protest and make sure that such protest is in a peaceful manner. He said that part of the demands that were made is to make sure that those protesting are protected and that any police officer that has in one way or the other attacked any protesters be brought to book. So the President thinks it’s a fundamental right, he thinks so long as the protest is peaceful and focused. He believes that the youths of this country have the right to demand for certain things”