By Simeon Bankole
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, an Associate Professor, and Fellow, Historical Society of Nigeria has assured that the Scheme will pull millions of Nigerians 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 training they learned on camp and also employ a 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 the tendency for criminality.”
He announced that the desire to make the 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 assure 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 making essential provisions that will enable them to have a fulfilling service year.
“However, we expect you to play your 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 rides from strangers.”
The erudite scholar warned that anyone caught engaging in social vices such as drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime, and advanced-fee- fraud would not go unpunished.
“Anyone caught will be dealt with by the provisions of the NYSC Bye-Laws. I enjoined you to be law-abiding at all times, and be good ambassadors of NYSC and your families. You are also strongly advised to use social media for positive purposes instead of promoting rumours, fake news, hatred as well as ethnic jingoism.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the noble Scheme appreciated the Federal Government for providing the enablement for the take-off of Corps members’ enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme under a comprehensive initiative known as NYSC Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP).
Ibrahim also enjoined all corps members to take full advantage of this arrangement and register under Health Care Providers in their service locations and report promptly for medical attention in the event of ill health.
The 18th Director-General of the Scheme appealed to Corps Employers to accept corps members that would be posted to them and ensure that they are adequately protected and taken care of.
“You are expected to accord priority to their welfare and provide the enabling environment for them to develop their potentials. I also call on State and Local Government authorities, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to give them necessary encouragement, especially through support for their Community Development Service initiatives,” he concluded.
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