The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has said that more than One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Ex-Corps had benefited from the Scheme’s skills acquisition training since its commencement in year 2012.
He stated this in his office when he played host to the Chairman, Nigerians in Disapora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa who was on a courtesy visit.
Ibrahim disclosed that NYSC management was determined to increase the awareness of entreprenurship development and wealth creation among Corps Members.
He pointed out that the introduction of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme was the Scheme’s way contributing towards youth empowerment so as to reduce unemployment.
“We have gone into partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry and other financial institutions which have been giving soft loans to Corps Members to start their own businesses”.
“As you partner with wealthy Nigerians in the disapora, try and encourage them to assist our Corps Members in the area of training or other financial assistance that could make them employers of labour”, the DG said.
Ibrahim stressed the need to harness the potentials of Nigerians in diaspora towards national development.
General Ibrahim revealed the readiness of the Scheme to partner with the commission in order to achieve its mandate.
He added that “There is need to set up an inter-ministerial committee that will interface with the relevant goverment agencies in order to discourage youths from enrolling in mushroom universities outside the country.”
In the same vein, lbrahim encouraged the commission to bring its expertise to the fore in the area of assisting the Scheme discourage Corps Members from risking their lives by travelling abroad through illegal routes.
Earlier, The NIDCOM Chairman, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the NYSC Chief Executive for his tremendous achievements since assumption of duty.
She thanked the NYSC Management for assisting the commission in the discharge of its mandate.
Dabiri enthused that her NYSC service year changed her life positively through her experiences as a Corps Member at the News Agency of Nigeria, where she honed her skill as a journalist.
“There is no alternative to hardwork. NYSC changed my life and l believe the Scheme should be strengthened for the benefit of our youths. NYSC has also served as an avenue for inter-tribal marriages.”
“We want to join you to further achieve the aims and objectives of the NYSC”.
“We look forward to working with you and also establish NYSC Diaspora Desk”, She said.
The NIDCOM boss lauded the DG over his stance against mobilising unqualified graduates for National Service in line with the NYSC Act.
She added that there is the need for all stakeholders to enlighten Nigerian youths in the diaspora to participate in national service immediately after graduation.
“We want to partner with the NYSC on how to enlighten Nigerians in the diaspora on the need for participation in the NY$C Scheme immediately after their graduation from school”, She said.
Dabiri-Erewa stated the commission’s readiness to assist the NYSC in creating awareness for Corps Members on the dangers of irregular migration to Europe and other countries.
