Osogbo — Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, has recalled his experience at Iresi, Boluwaduro Local Government area of Osun State, where he observed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), 28 years ago.

Jonathan stressed the need for development in rural areas across the country and assured the citizenry of the commitment of the Federal Government to positively affectevery Nigerian.

He charged the state and local governments to be more committed to integrated rural development and urged companies, organisations and well-to-do individual to always assist in community development projects.

He said, "I remember vividly and cherish the good times and pleasant moments I shared with fellow youth corps members, teachers, and students at Ebekun Secondary Commercial Grammar School, Iresi.

"Then young men bubbling with vigour and energy, I remember with nostalgic feelings the Iresi hills and rocks which my fellow 'copers' and I used to climb with relish, in the name of mountaineering."

Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Development Cooperation, Mr. Femi Ajayi, he said Ajayi also served with him at Iresi, the same year.

He said much as he would have loved to grace the occasion of the Iresi Day Celebration and reunite with the community, an urgent and demanding national assignment hindered him.

He commended the people for the self help project that the community is renowned for since time immemorial and tasked them to put more effort, so as to transform the community into a modern city.