China to train NYSC corps members on agro-allied businesses, skills acquisition

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

Moved by the spate of unemployment in the country, the management of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has approached Chinese government to seek bilateral tie to empower corps members with skills in diverse fields.
The scheme declared that it is in line with its determination to boost the Skills Acquisition and Enterpreneurship Development (SAED) programme introduced in 2012.
The statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, disclosed that the appeal was contained in the remarks made by the Director General, NYSC, Brigadier General Yushau Dogara Ahmed, when he paid courtesy visit on Chinese embassy in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the statement; the NYSC helmsman had further noted that partnership with China in ICT, textile and agriculture will go a long way in giving corps members more opportunities to become self-reliant and employers of labour: which will inturn increase Nigeria’s gross domestic product.
Received by Cultural Counselor of Chinese Embassy & Director of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Li Xuda, General Ahmed, also sought for; “an opportunity for some corps members to visit China to witness country’s cultural exhibition, as a way of exposing them to the wider world.”
Earlier, he had commended the staff of Chinese embassy in Nigeria; “for frequently attending cultural carnival and other major events organised at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja.”
Responding, Mr. Li Xuda stated that China and Nigeria have a long standing relationship which needs to be sustained.
He equally said that the embassy will; “expeditiously facilitate the actualisation of collaboration between his country and NYSC, to ensure that corps members are given opportunity to learn more especially in the areas pointed out by the NYSC Director General.”
“We want to assure you that the embassy will go a step further to ensure the possibility of corps members going to China for training in some reputable industries.
“Let me also say that China has an agricultural demonstration centre in the outskirt of Abuja which NYSC can take advantage of to train corps members in agro-allied businesses,” Mr. Xuda noted.