.... Hands-on Training will Widen your Horizon, Coord tells Corps Members
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Director of Procurement, Mr. Olawole Chris Jimba has reminded corps members that their invitation to participate in the national service is to further strengthen the indivisibility and unity of the country.
The Director, Procurement, made this known at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, while addressing the 2024 Batch 'C' (Stream 1) corps members deployed to Ondo State.
Jimba, who hinted that the civil war of 1967 to 1970 disunited and fragmented the constituents that made up the country disclosed that the establishment of the noble Scheme in 1973 has restored till date, unity and cohesion which has strengthen the diversity of Nigerian.
The erstwhile Director, NYSC Southeast Area Office asserted that the resilience of the members of the service corps has been the strength that the country relies on, saying that NYSC will continue to deploy responsible graduate youths for national development.
"My distinguished corps members in national service, I want you to see your mobilisation and subsequent deployment to all the states of the federation and FCT as a deliberate attempt to encourage you to contribute your quota to the overall development of this country. Those who came before you did marvellously well and I have confidence in your abilities to surpass their mark and be exceptional throughout the service year".
"Many distinguished personalities, including the Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, DSS, fdc, fnli, FTRCN, MNARC, PhD have at one time or the other visited and address you on how much we value your precious lives and how we shall continue to ensure that you are safe and well catered for wherever you find yourself during the service year" he explained.
The one-time State Coordinator in Imo, Kwara and Ogun states, respectively, challenged the corps members to leave a lasting legacy at their places of primary assignment and host communities by impacting positively on the people that needed their attention and support.
He said that NYSC, through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme has invested hugely in the lives of graduate youths, and implored them to take advantage by embracing the in-camp training to learn new skills that will give them an edge when they go to the society and the outside world.
"Every personnel of the NYSC, be it top management or generality of staff will continue to encourage corps members to embrace SAED because of the derivable opportunities open to graduate youths, and I want to let you know that your enviable credentials and certificates are not enough to stabilise you. Honestly speaking, employment opportunity is shrinking and paid employment is no longer what it used to be during our own time, but I want you to strive to become employers of labour where the world will honour you and stand up to celebrate you".
The Director who has served as Personal Assistant to six State Coordinators in the course of his successful career said that he was not discouraging members of the service corps from seeking paid employment but disclosed that several thousands of applicants are seeking after few vacancies, and this has always resulted into the survival of the fittest syndrome.
Jimba, who could best be described as a man of destiny, and has distinguished himself in various capacities where he worked appealed to corps members to be disciplined, show respect towards human beings and be kind to indigent people in the society, asserting that, God will reward their selfless service to mankind.
On security consciousness, the former Deputy Director, Operations at the NYSC North Central Area Office, Minna, Niger State said that no one can secure them more than they can do. He, however, admonished them to report any suspicious movements around them to security personnel that have their contact information in the Orientation Service Guide, saying that they would receive priority attention from the stakeholders of the Scheme.
In her welcome address, the Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi Bakare appreciated the NYSC management for the calibre of corps members deployed to the Sunshine State, describing them as well disciplined, hardworking and who are willing to break new grounds.
The State Coordinator also disclosed that the camp officials were dedicated and committed to their assignments, which made the job seamless and encouraging.
Bakare, while appreciating the management for giving the corps members quality kit items, thanked the Director of Procurement for ensuring quality control in line with the global best practices.
The Director, Procurement, before he left and in line with the kindness he preached, appreciated the Quarter Guard, Cultural Troupe, NYSC Musical and Parade Band, Man 'O' War Team, Overall Parade Commander and the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) Crew for the superlative performance they collectively put up during the visit.
HANDS-ON TRAINING WILL WIDEN YOUR HORIZON
- Coordinator tells Corps Members
The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi Bakare has told the corps members that the hands-on training they are engaged in was designed to assist them in knowing the nitty-gritty of the skills they have passion for.
The State Coordinator revealed this vital information while monitoring the hands-on training for the 2024 Batch 'C' (Stream 1) corps members at their various skill centres.
Bakare, who was impressed with the level of participation and commitment shown by the members of the service corps, said that they can only be successful if they continue to display an aggressive determination to break away from the shrinking paid employment.
"My dear children, I am impressed with your attitude towards becoming highly successful entrepreneurs and captains of industries through this life-saving intervention introduced into the NYSC programme in March, 2012, and I want to encourage you not to toy with this training as this will catapult you to stardom".
She continued, 'Your predecessors who received the training and key into it are today smiling to the banks, while those who see it as another disturbance are regretting their action. I want you to be financially independent and be skillfully empowered to reduce the rate of unemployment in the society'.
She said that NYSC will continue to leverage on the collaboration with reputable financial institutions and empowerment agencies to ensure that corps members who are serious with the training are assisted with either take-off grants or loans to pursue their dreams.
"NYSC is a responsible Scheme that has assisted several thousands of ex-corps members to fulfill their dreams in life, as it stands as a guarantor to corps members without collateral, a rare feat that can hardly be found anywhere in the ever-challeging business world. Ensure that you try all possible means legally possible to benefit from this largesse.
The NYSC Ondo State boss called on the Nigeria University Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other regulatory bodies to adopt a policy that will make Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme compulsory and a core course which must be part of the curriculum for all tertiary institutions.
She advised parents to encourage their children to embrace skills they have passion for, claiming that successful businessmen and women were great entrepreneurs, who never ventured to work for anyone but rather choose to be employers of labour.
Additionally, she called on international and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to support the SAED programme and make investments that will take the graduate youths off the streets.
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