The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed says the management is prioritizing the security and welfare of Corps members.
He also said the NYSC would ensure the relationship between Corps Employers and Corps members remains healthy to improve productivity in their places of Primary Assignment, thereby leading to a sustained economic development of the nation.
Brigadier General Ahmed stated this while presenting the keynote address at the 2023 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop held in Awka, Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.
He said; “while Corps employers are saddled with the welfare and security of Corps members, they are also expected to be interested in the Corps members’ participation in Community Development Service.
“This is a Secondary Assignment which is compulsory for all Corps members, as it serves as the platform for contribution to the development and transformation of the host communities, hence my appeal to Corps member’s employers to assist them both in the provision of resources and the mobilisation of support from members of the public towards execution of projects for the benefit of the host communities.”
On Skills Acquisition And Entrepreneurship Development, SAED,General Ahmed said; “the empowerment of Corps Members for self-reliance, self-employment and wealth creation has become a major focus of the NYSC since 2012. Corps Members are availed the opportunities through our Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) training in the orientation camps. As we work with relevant stakeholders including financial institutions, Employers are encouraged to support Corps Members towards accessing quality post-camp trainings to enable them actualise their business dreams.”
He also said that “Corps employers are required to pay attention to the security of Corps members posted to their organisations. Given the fact that they are new in the environment, corps employers are enjoined to effectively guide them on safety.”
Addressing the participants on Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers ( HIRD), the DG said, “this initiative by the NYSC management was put in place as an organised health programme for all the States and FCT. It is carried out once in a quarter and involves arranging drugs and other medical equipment, with a medical team to visit a particular community in a Local Government Area. This has been working and corps employers are encouraged to contribute to the success of this programme in any way they can.”
General Ahmed was represented by Aluyor Osikhuemeh at the event.
The State Governor Chukwuma Soludo appreciated the participants saying, “the dream of the government can only be fast-tracked and enormously actualised with the active involvement of the Corps Employers. To this effect, I hereby direct that staff including Corps Members in all the establishments in the State to become promoters of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development.”
He said; ” The aim is to produce both directly and indirectly citizens of the State who can easily use their heads, hearts and hands to be self reliant and employers of labour. This administration will always partner with the NYSC in developmental strides as the scheme has over the years been noted for policies and programmes targeted at uplifting the youths and also the overall development of the rural communities. I will at all times support the scheme within the resources available.”
The Governor was represented by the Chairman, NYSC State Governing Board/ Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Agha -Mba,
The State Coordinator, NYSC, Anambra State, Mrs Blessing Iruma commended Governor Soludo for consistently creating enabling environment for the scheme to operate in the State.
She said; “His favourable disposition to issues concerning the scheme is a clear manifestation of his youth driven policies and his dogged determination to ensure that the State continues to be the light of the nation.
“To all NYSC Staff, your commitment, synergy at work and your responsiveness when duty calls, can best be described as “Top- notch. To all Corps Members, it is all about you and how to ensure that you turn out better and that for each of you, your service year counts.”
She also appreciated the Director-General, Brigadier General Ahmed for approving the venue of the workshop.
The NYSC State Coordinator further warned Corps members against indecent dressing and indiscipline. She urged employers to always relate well with the corps members and their Local Government Inspectors.
On her part, the Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma -Udeh emphasised that the ministry and the NYSC in the state would continue to strengthen the already existing cordial relationships.
Other speakers were Dr Joe Akabuike, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Anambra State, Mr Nelson Omenugha (Special adviser to Soludo on youths, Mrs Ngozi Nwoke, among others.
Cultural dance performance by the corps members, observations, questions and answers, presentation by syndicate groups climaxed the workshop with the theme: “Enhancing The Wellbeing Of Corps Members For Optimum Productivity.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
