The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Maj. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has lauded the House of Representatives, especially the House Committee on Youth Development, for the expedited hearing on the NYSC Trust Fund.
Ibrahim made this disclosure, on Tuesday, shortly after Acting Chief Judge Joseph Awak administered oath of allegiance on 1,025 Batch A Stream I corps members, comprising 686 males and 339 females, at the Amada temporary orientation camp, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Represented by the State Coordinator, Ada Imoni, Ibrahim revealed that the fund would give the scheme the much deserved financial autonomy.
According to him, the Fund would enhance the provision of needed infrastructure, as well as equip corps members with start-up capital to make them self-reliant.
He said, “I consider it appropriate to use this opportunity to thank the House of Representatives for the progress made so far in the legislative processes on the Bill for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund. I also wish to thank Nigerians for the continuous show of support for the proposed Trust Fund, especially as overwhelmingly demonstrated during the public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Youth Development on the matter.
“I wish to, once again, appeal to the appropriate authorities to provide the necessary enablement for the actualisation of the Fund.
This will surely enhance the smooth operation of the Scheme, especially by addressing the challenge of infrastructure. It will also boost our skills and entrepreneurship development programme aimed at empowering Corps members for self-employment and wealth creation.”
Ibrahim also encouraged the batch to take skill acquisition seriously by participating and continuing after camp, stressing that paid employment is in short supply.
“At this juncture, I would like to remind you that white collar jobs are not readily available. Therefore, I encourage you to avail yourselves of opportunities for self-employment offered through our Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.
“You are expected to choose from any of the skill areas, and make yourselves available for the training, which starts from the Orientation Camp. On our part, management will continue to work with relevant stakeholders for the success of the programme,” Ibrahim said.
Copyright PUNCH.
