From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Brig. Gen. Muhammad Fadah, Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has hailed the proposed establishment of NYSC Trust Fund, as the scheme is capable of empowering corps members to become self reliant and employers of labour.
He called for strong support for the scheme to come on board and make positive impact on the lives of corps members inview of the alarming unemployment situation in Nigeria.
The NYSC DG made the call on during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘B’ Stream Il youth corps members posted to Kogi at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Asaya, Kabba Local Government Area.
Represented by the NYSC Coordinator in Kogi, Mofoluwasho Williams, the DG said “already the NYSC Trust fund has reached an advanced stage of legislation.”
“This trust fund, when established, will help the smooth operations of the NYSC Scheme especially in addressing the challenges of infrastructure and providing start-up capital for corps members.
“It’s a clear fact that white-collar jobs are no more readily available, which calls for corps members to inculcate the strong desire to be self reliance and employers of labour.
“As you are now in camp, I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunities for self employment offered to you through the Skill Acquisition and Enterpreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.
“You’re expected to choose from any of the sill areas and make yourselves available for the training, ” he said.
Fadah strongly charged the corps members to maintain high level of discipline and enthusiasm by complying with the camp rules and regulations.
He said, “You must continue to distance yourself from cultism, drugs abuse and other social vices to be responsible in contributing your quota to nation building as Patriots.”
The DG also cautioned them against using social media for spreading fake news, fueling hatred through hate speeches and other negative purposes.
While advising them to use social media for the promotion of national unity and development, Fadah charged them to security conscious at all times and report any suspicious character or activities around them.
He said, “one of the objectives of NYSC is promotion of national unity and integration, hence, your deployment away from your States of origin and your assemblage here from diverse ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.”
“This policy will not only offer you the opportunity for a broader understanding of the country, but also entrench the culture of working together in an atmosphere filled with friendship, peace, harmony, and a shared vision of a great and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.
Our Correspondent reports that a total of 1,200 corps members posted to Kogi, were led by Justice Esther Haruna in taking their oaths at the colourful swearing in ceremony.