Mass Axi Gye, the secretary of state for Youth and Sports, recently received a delegation of high ranking officials from the National Youth Service Corps of Nigeria, at his office in Banjul.

The six-man team, led by Brigadier General Yusuf Bomoi, the director general of NYSC, was accompanied to the office of the secretary of state by Mr Musa Mbaye, the executive director of the Gambia national Youth Service Scheme.

The visit, according to officials of the two development service institutions, was meant to brief the SoS about the fruitful long standing relationship between the two institutions.

Speaking at the occasion, Brig Gen Bomoi, the head of the Nigerian contingent, said the visit was meant to strengthen the bond of relationship between the two institutions, noting that both institutions share common objectives, which is to empower the young folk of the two countries to ensure self reliance.

Brig Gen Bomoi noted that if there was anything to go by in terms of providing youth with skills, the NYSS has succeeded a lot in that cause. He informed the SoS that his country's youth service corps emerged as a result of the post-Independence civil war.

"Our then government conceived the idea of establishing the Youth Services Corps as a means of uniting the citizens," he said, adding that today, the institution graduates thousands of Nigerians.

While commending the Gambian authorities for the warm reception accorded to his delegation, Brig Gen Bomoi assured his unflinching support for the NySS.

Reacting to the comments, SoS Mass Axi Gye lauded the bond of friendhsip between the two institutions, stressing the need for more cooperation. He noted that the NYSC has contributed immensely to the success of NYSS.

However, the SoS stressed the need for the youth to engage in meaningful skill trainings for self-reliant ventures. He noted that the government under President Jammeh, has done a lot to the expectation of the youths.

"This is why he conceived the idea of creating the NYSS, with a view to reduce unemployment. It took the president 24 months, after assuming authority, to create an institution, where the youth would be trained in various skills," he said.

He added that today hundreds of young Gambians have successfully graduated from the NYSS, with many engaging in self-reliant ventures. While noting that The Gambia was at an implementation stage, the SoS called on the visiting officials to render more support for the scheme.

The occasion was chaired by Mambanyick Njie, the permanent secretary at the Department of State for Youth and Sports.