Help NYSC grow in your states, FG tells governors

Minister of Youths development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has called on governors to provide all that will help the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme grow and get better in their States.

Speaking during the anniversary lecture commemorating NYSC at 53 held in Abuja, he called on governors to incorporate corps members into the daily activities of the state government.

He appealed that they should provide facilities, welfare, security amongst others for the corps members in their states to make their service year worth it.

Olawande was worried over the call to scrap the scheme despite the contribution it has made in the country, says NYSC has remained consistent for over five decades.

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He urged that the scheme be appreciated for producing generations of people who have contributed to the growth and development of the country.

On his part, Director General of the Scheme, Olakunle Nafiu, appealed for public support for the approval of the NYSC Trust Fund, which would enable the Scheme to expand the scope of its Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme for Corps Members.

He said the Trust Fund would assist the NYSC in expanding its venture services and increase job opportunities by empowering Corps Members with start-up capital to establish their businesses.

He added that the efforts of the corps members during elections should also attract commendation to the scheme.

Nafiu stated that through skill acquisition entrepreneurial programmes in the scheme, corps members have been trained on several vocational and entrepreneurial skills to be self employed and also contribute to the economy and development of the country.

He said the scheme would continue to enhance the welfare and security of corps members.

Delivering his keynote address, Prof. Ope Ope Jr said insecurity has made the one year service programme unattractive to graduates.

He said said unemployment and underemployment were part of the challenges affecting the youth and it has made a lot of Youths get involved in vices.

He urged the government to enhance the scheme and protect corps members so that they don’t get disappointed in the scheme and the nation.

Ope also insisted that the NYSC Trust Fund must come to reality to help the scheme achieve its desired goal to develop the youths

In his welcome address, Director, Media, Mr Emeka Mgbemena, said the scheme has gone though many storms but could only get better by the day.

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)