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NYSC DG Advises Corps Members On Self-Reliance

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General YD Ahmed has advised Corps Members to embrace skills acquisition in order to become self independent and job creators.

He said skill empowerment is the only antidote to the increasing rate of youth unemployment in the country.

The Director General stated further that the Management of NYSC introduced Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training into its Orientation Course content in 2012 in order to empower Corps Members with relevant skills that can make them financially independent instead of searching for the unavailable salaried jobs.

General Ahmed disclosed this today while interacting with Corps Members during his visit to Plateau State Temporary Orientation Camp in Doi-Du and also Benue State Orientation Camp in Wannune.

He encouraged the Corps Members to learn at least a skill while in camp and thereafter follow up with post-camp training in order to perfect their skills for better output.

“We are into partnership with many financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Access Bank, Unity Bank, Bank of Industry (BOI), NNPC Foundation among others that are ready to offer loans for you to start your businesses.

Many of your predecessors that accepted this offer before are now business owners in different vocations across the country”, he said.

The Director General also urged the Corps Members to beware of people with negative characters and avoid actions that can make them run foul of the law.

He enjoined them to respect the culture and traditions of their host communities and live peacefully with the residents.

The NYSC Plateau State Coordinator, Mrs Ikupolati Oluwatosin Esther informed the Director General that all the 1,551 Corps Members consisting of 798 males and 753 females are well-behaved and have been participating actively in all camp activities.

In a similar vein, the NYSC Benue State Coordinator, Mr Abe Dankaro Ashumate said the synergy between all camp officials and cooperation from the Corps Members have tremendously helped towards maintaining law and order within the camp.

“All the 1,656 Corps Members are exceptionally disciplined and have been joined the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development training”, the Coordinator said.

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FG Approves N110 Billion to Rejuvenate the National Youth Investment Fund

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has approved N110 billion to revitalize the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), for the 2024 fiscal year to serve as a cornerstone for youth empowerment.

The Minister, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the Ministry’s Management Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables with the theme: ‘Achieving the Eight Presidential Priorities and Deliverables’ in Abuja.

She said the fund is not just a financial reservoir but a catalyst for youth entrepreneurship and innovation aimed at bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity.

Dr Ibrahim further stated that this administration is committed to empowering every Nigerian youth through actionable policies and innovative programmes, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aligns with the renewed hope agenda.

“Federal Government has also approved the integration of Skills and Entrepreneurship Development into the NYIF programme, transitioning the NYIF Committee to an interim project management office, and investing N5 billion in the Youth Development Bank.” She added.

According to her, “the National Youth Development Bank (NEXTGEN BANK), a pioneering effort in partnership with the Bank of Industry and their private sector partners, represents a ground-breaking stride towards economic independence for our youth. With an initial take-off shareholder fund of N10 billion, this institution will be instrumental in nurturing young entrepreneurs and innovators who are the bedrock of our nation’s future.”

The Minister further explained that the Retail Development Financial Institution will be dedicated to providing financial solutions tailored specifically for young entrepreneurs, youth-backed ventures, and youth-sector enterprises, adding that with an initial capitalization of N10 billion, the bank is poised to be a pillar of support for youth-led enterprises, offering not just loans and equity but development, guidance, mentorship, and a network of resources. The Bank of Industry will be investing N2.5 billion and their private sector partners have committed to the balance of the N2.5 billion investment, and the bank will be private sector managed.

“The rehabilitation and transformation of Youth Development Centres across the country are set to commence immediately. These centres will be transformed into hubs of technical, digital, and creative skills training; bastions of social, political, and cultural engagement, amongst our youths; and sanctuaries for mental health and combatting the scourges of substance abuse and social decay. By investing in these centres, we are investing in safe spaces that foster the holistic development of the Nigerian youth”, she stated.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the Ministry, all development partners and stakeholders for their unwavering commitment and unflinching support towards lifting the quality of life of Nigerian youth.

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