From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Y.D. Ahmed, has urged corps members to leverage the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to become self-sufficient and employers of labour.
He gave the charge during his visit to the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Okada, Edo State.
DG Ahmed explained that SAED was established to cater to the needs of corps members, providing them with the opportunity to learn various skills that would be immensely beneficial even after their service year.
“Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development is purposely designed to make you self-reliant and job creators instead of job seekers; therefore, equip yourselves with skills,” he said.
“Soft loans are available for you through our collaborating partners, such as NNPC, the Central Bank, the Bank of Industry, and many others.
“Take advantage of this so you can prepare yourselves for life after service so that you will not be employees.”
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Ahmed further admonished the corps members to focus on achieving the scheme’s objectives of fostering unity and development in the country.
While commending them for their orderliness, comportment, and cleanliness, he urged them to remain focused and abide by NYSC rules and regulations.
He also admonished the corps members to sustain their hard work, patriotism, and resilience, reminding them to use social media for self-improvement and to promote unity, peace, prosperity, and togetherness in the nation.
Earlier, the Edo State Coordinator of the scheme, Mrs Ben-Ushie Frances Ifeoma, informed the Director General that the orientation exercise was progressing smoothly. She added that all camp officials were working as a team to ensure the exercise’s success.
She also informed the DG that the corps members had conducted themselves well and actively participated in all camp activities.