By Nkechi Eze
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on governments at all levels, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the orientation camp cultural carnival and other programmes of the National Youth Service Corps, describing them as vital platforms for promoting Nigeria’s cultural diversity and national unity.
The Minister made the call while serving as Special Guest of Honour at the cultural carnival organised by the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps Members at the NYSC Federal Capital Territory Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja. The development was disclosed in an official statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Scheme, Caroline Embu.
Musawa, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, applauded the Corps Members for their vibrant performances, which showcased the cultures of states other than their own states of origin. She noted that the display underscored the uniqueness of the NYSC scheme as a unifying national institution that deliberately exposes young Nigerians to the country’s rich cultural plurality.
The Minister also commended the Management of the NYSC for creating an enabling environment that allows Corps Members to express themselves creatively while celebrating Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage. According to her, such initiatives not only foster unity and mutual understanding among youths but also serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and national cohesion.
Reaffirming her Ministry’s commitment to the Scheme, Musawa disclosed that sustained collaboration with the NYSC would continue in order to institutionalise the cultural carnival as a nationally recognised event. She assured that her Ministry would provide logistics and other necessary technical assistance to ensure that the carnival is firmly established as part of Nigeria’s cultural history.
She further expressed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Ministry of Youth Development and the NYSC to identify, nurture and market the vast talents of Nigerian youths, both locally and on the international stage, as part of broader efforts to position culture and creativity as drivers of national development.
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, commended the NYSC for its consistent role in fostering national unity and integration through its deployment policy, which exposes Corps Members to the diverse cultures and traditions across the country. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, Olawande described the camp cultural carnival as a unique opportunity to showcase the rich cultural endowments with which Nigeria is blessed.
He pledged the Ministry’s continued support for Corps Members’ empowerment initiatives and the improvement of facilities at the FCT Orientation Camp to further enhance the welfare and overall experience of participants.
Earlier, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that Corps Members would continue to play a leading role in showcasing and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. He reaffirmed the Scheme’s unwavering commitment to promoting unity in diversity and strengthening the bonds of national integration among Nigerian youths.
