We shall lift millions of youths out of poverty— NYSC DG
By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Major-General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has assured that the scheme will pull millions of Nigerian youths out of poverty.
Speaking during the Terminal Parade/Closing Ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ (Stream 1) orientation course, the two-star General said that the management is not relenting in her efforts to invigorate the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to make its impact known at the grassroots.
The NYSC boss who was represented by the Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko enjoined the corps members to step down vocational trainings they learnt on camp and also employ good number of youths in their host communities.
“All trainees with bankable business proposals will also be supported with start-up grants. You will in turn be expected to step down vocational training or employ a good number of youths of your host communities. That way, we would be pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty, thereby stemming the tide of youth restiveness and tendency for criminality.”
He announced that the desire to make SAED programme more impactful partly informed the advocacy for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund.
The Director General hinted that as soon as the Trust Fund becomes operational, it will further enhance the provision of adequate training and engagement of more specialist trainers.
While encouraging them to devote time to identify the felt needs of the communities and initiate personal and group Community Development Service projects that would uplift the living standard of the beneficiaries, he urged the corps members to integrate into their host communities by learning their languages and cultures.
The Security Chief assured the corps members that their welfare and security are topmost on the NYSC management priority list and maintained that the Scheme has been sustaining her liaison with security agencies and other stakeholders with the view of not only ensuring their safety but also make essential provisions that will enable them have a fulfilling service year.
“However, we expect you to play your own part by being security conscious at all times. You must avoid risky engagements such as staying out late at night, attendance of late night parties, visitation of dangerous places, and acceptance of car ride from strangers,” he said.
