The Federal Government is to assist the government of Mozambique in setting up a replica of the National Youth Service Scheme in that country, bringing to about three the number of countries in Africa which has establish a similar outfit with help from Nigeria.

The President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who disclosed this in his address at the passing out ceremony of the 2002 Batch 'A' corps members in Abuja, said the NYSC has already started working out the modalities for the assistance, adding that the recognition of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme beyond the shores of the country has continued to impress the government.

The president who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of the FCT, Engr. Mohammed Abba-Gana said youths are regarded as the prime factor in sustainable nation building.

"By logical interference, the strength of a nation largely depends on what individual nation makes of its youths. It is for this reason that no nation that aspires to greatness and true national independence can afford to ignore its youths," he said.

President Obasanjo charged the youths to realise that their number and strength should make them the most potent segment of society that can determine the direction of any policy or social change.

Observing that the labour market may already be saturated to absolve the growing number of unemployed youths, the president advised the corps members to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Government through such programmes as the National Poverty Eradication Programme, Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES) and capacity Acquisition programme to tailor their future towards self reliance.

"You must now become the apostles of peaceful co-existence. I enjoin you to campaign against political thuggery and killing of fellow Nigerians," he said.