The Assistant Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development in Anambra State, Mr Augustine Ogiator, has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to take on the opportunity provided by the scheme’s partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), in accessing loans to start their businesses after service.
Ogiator made the call during a sensitisation programme organised by the scheme in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He stressed the scheme’s proactiveness in partnering with key financial players like the Bank of Industry(BOI) and other commercial banks in providing soft loans to Corps members.
This, he said is to serve as an incentive to Corps members desirous to learn a skill and start their businesses after service.
Mr Ogiator, however expressed his reservation over the lack of seriousness of some Corps members in accessing such loans.
He said, “BOI gives loan to corps members, accessible free of charge. The amount of money earmarked for corps members, close to a quarter has not been accessed.”
Ogiator stated that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) was birthed in 2012 to attend to the yearnings of corps members in their post service time. He further reiterated the essence of the SAED programme which is to improve on corps members productivity after service and less reliance on white collar jobs.
He also added that although access was free for corp members, those interested must have about six months before their Passing Out Parade(POP) and must have begun their post camp SAED training as well as well written business plans.
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