National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Funmilayo Ojo
The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Yushau Ahmed has charged corps members to embrace the Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme during their orientation service.
He said that the key focus of the programme was to ensure that after service, they could become employers of labour instead of relying on the government for ‘white-collar’ jobs.
The DG stated this during his visit to the 2024 Batch A, Stream 1 corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State, on Wednesday.
He said, “Every corps members should key into the SAED program, which is guaranteed to make them self-reliant and dependent on themselves. We have details of your predecessors who made the best use of SAED while they were in camp, and today they are entrepreneurs and employers of labour. I encourage you to follow the steps of your predecessors and become employers of labour instead of looking for jobs,” he said.
Speaking further on the current security challenges across the country, the DG warned the corps members not to embark on unsolicited journeys.
He reinstated the commitment of security agencies to ensure the safety of corps members.
“You must secure yourself very well. Whatever the officials tell you to do in the camp, take it very seriously. On our part, we have developed safety measures to ensure your safety.
“On the issue of the security of corps members, the security agencies are on top of the situation. Military, DSS, and police are always there for corps members. The Security Agencies have given us the assurance that they are sending patrols around the routes to orientation camps to secure the prospective corps members. Since Thursday last week, we have not recorded any security challenges”.
He admonished the corps members to avoid applying for relocation to other states. Such unnecessary movements can cause trouble. I am urging them to accept their posting in good faith make maximum use of the opportunity and impart your host community.
“Don’t look at the one-year service as too long to serve. If you can spend 4 to 5 years in the university and nothing happens to you, the one year will not be a problem. Stay and serve wherever you are posted. Remember, you have taken the oath of allegiance. Accept your posting in good faith. Prepare to serve the nation ‘under the rain and in the sun.’
“You don’t have a reason to deviate. I must urge you to do that. When I was like you, I served in Osun State. I never sorted out relocation. When I was posted, I went straight to my place of PPA and settled there. I spent six months before embarking on any journey, with permission. After my service year, I joined the Army when I saw the excellent way they portrayed themselves because I was focused and knew what I wanted,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction at the excellent reception he received from the quarter guard and the performance of the corps members and officials.
Earlier, the State Coordinator, Mr Odoba Oche during his address, rolled out the achievements recorded by the NYSC Management in his one-year in office while also stating the challenges confronting the service in Oyo.
He said, “The management of NYSC, within the space of one year, has achieved different feats, ranging from the construction of wall blocks to 12,000 ultramodern capacity halls for the camp.
Procurement of 600 plastic chairs for Corps members at the orientation camp.
Procurement of 300 mattresses. Construction of eight additional toilets and bathrooms. Construction of 10 separate rooms for assistant directors at the camp. Purchase of an additional 10 fans for staff and corps members. While the renovation is still on,.
Speaking further, he said, “The challenge we have is the hall. During the rainy season, it is not conducive for the corps members to learn.”
“A section of the 5,000-capacity building has been completed; hopefully the other parts of the building not completed will be done before the rainy season begins.”
He applauded the efforts of the DG on the scheme, which he described as unique. Saying he always sought after the welfare of corps members.
In the same vein, he commended the performance of the camp officials and the corps members for discharging their duties effectively, noting that this set of corps members was well-selected from their various institutions.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of awards and the inspection of the 12,000-square-foot ultramodern hall by the DG and his entourage.
