From Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim has commended 'the House of the Representatives for the progress made so far in the legislative processes on the bill' for the establishment of the scheme's 'Trust Fund' in the country.
Major General Shauibu Ibrahim made the commendation, Wednesday, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2022 Batch 'A' Stream 'II' Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Site, Old MacGregor College in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The NYSC DG, represented by the Ebonyi State Coordinator, Mrs Mercy Bamai Dawuda, also appreciated "Nigerians for their continuous show of support for the proposed fund, especially as overwhelmingly demonstrated during the public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Youth on the matter."
He, however, appealed to "the appropriate authorities to provide necessary enablement for the actualization of the Fund," noting that "this will surely enhance the smooth operation of the scheme, especially by addressing the challenge of infrastructure."
Major General Ibrahim maintained that the Trust Fund if established would also boost the NYSC Skills and entrepreneurship programme, aimed at empowering corps members for self-employment and wealth creation.
The DG who observed that "white-collar jobs are not readily available," nowadays, equally, encouraged the newly inducted corps members to avail themselves of opportunities for self-employment offered through the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.
He advised the corps members to choose from any of the skill areas and make themselves available for the training, starting from the orientation camp, while assuring them that the NYSC management would continue to work with the relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme.
The DG had earlier commended the corps members for their patriotic zeal which they demonstrated through acceptance of their deployment and prompt report to the orientation camp.
He described the orientation course as the first cardinal programme of the NYSC, aimed at introducing the corps members to the objectives and other programmes of the scheme.
The orientation course, according to him, was designed to equip the corps members for the tasks of the service year through lessons on the cardinal programmes, leadership coaching, paramilitary drills and other physical training as well as sensitization on topical national issues, among others.
He further explained that the platform was used for kick-starting various activities to enable the corps members to realise their potential, attaining individual feats both within and beyond the period of service, and also enjoined them to avail themselves of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by participating actively in all the camp activities.
He charged the corps members on the promotion of national unity and development, urging them to guide their conduct in the service year; ensuring that they familiarize themselves with the provisions of the NYSC Act and Bye-Laws, thereby remaining compliant with the rules and regulations of the scheme.
The DG advised those who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine to do so without further delay, stressing that, the rule could be applied to corps members in their places of primary assignment, while expressing gratitude to the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, for their support and guidance facilitating the safe and efficient conduct of the orientation course within the context of the 'new normal.'
He as well appreciated the NCDC for the continuous provision of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits and sensitization materials for usage in all orientation camps, commended other stakeholders including the National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the contributions of Federal, state, and local governments, alongside the security agencies and other aiding organisations, while advocating for the stakeholders' support to the scheme's Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, HIRD across the nation.
