By John Ikani
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Ibrahim Shuaibu, on Thursday visited Reverend Oluwole Adetiran, the composer of the NYSC anthem, at his Mowe-Ibafo residence in Ogun-state, South West Nigeria.
Ibrahim led a high-powered delegation of NYSC to the residence of Adetiran, who recently turned 74, at Ibafo in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun.
The 74 year old burst into tears during the visit to his house, noting that he was moved that he was finally remembered 37 years after he composed the song.
He lamented that he had been suffering from diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and prostate cancer since 2018.
Adetiran, who studied music at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, recalled that he composed the anthem in 1984 while he was a corps member in Oyo State.
He said, “I was the leader of an NYSC group called ‘the anthem group’ and the then chief inspector saddled us with the responsibility of composing an anthem for the NYSC.
“I went home and spent quality time to compose the anthem to the admiration of all and I still have the manuscripts till today.”
Adetiran who rendered the anthem with a special choir, commended the DG for the visit which he considered as a mark of honour.
How NYSC located Adetiran
Speaking earlier the NYSC DG said he learnt through the social media last Saturday that Adetiran was seriously ill and he thought that the man deserved to be honoured with a visit.
“I just got to know about five days ago through a Good Samaritan who posted the message on the social media.
“I decided to follow up on the phone number that was dropped on the social media report, made my investigations and decided to come here from Abuja to visit him,” he said.
What the NYSC DG said about Adetiran’s contribution to the scheme
Ibrahim described Adetiran as a patriotic Nigerian whose contributions to the scheme through the composition of the anthem could not be quantified in monetary terms and which would live beyond him.
The NYSC boss noted that the wordings of the anthem were quite philosophical and had continued to be a source of inspiration to serving and past corps members that they should put the nation first wherever they found themselves.
“The wordings of the anthem have been so inspiring to our corps members and you will observe that they are everywhere serving the nation.
“The corps members are always involved in the conduct of elections and population census, while their contributions during the heat of COVID-19 pandemic and other national assignments have been tremendous.
“This visit is partly to encourage our corps members and our youths that when you serve and honour your country, your country will not forget you,” he said.
How the NYSC honored Adetiran’s legacy
Ibrahim, who presented an undisclosed cash gift to the ailing Adetiran, assured that NYSC would not abandon him in his trying period.
He also pledged that Adetiran’s photograph would be conspicuously placed in the newly-built NYSC museum in Abuja.
More about Adetiran
Adetiran, is the national Music Director of the Celestial Church of Christ.
He was the Head of Music Department at the Polytechnic Ibadan, between 2003 and 2007 and retired as a lecturer in 2008.
What you should know
The NYSC scheme was established to foster the nation’s unity and strengthen ties among Nigerians.
The visit to the composer of the scheme’s anthem comes weeks after debates on the relevance of the scheme.
While some believe it has not lived up to its purpose – owing to growing region distrust among Nigeria and insecurity – many others are of the opinion that scrapping it will also not be in the interests of Nigeria’s unity.
