The Bill on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund , if passed into law, will primarily provide Start-up Capital for young Entrepreneurs on the scheme, the NYSC Boss has said.
It will also support and place Corps Members at a vantage position to drive the development of Nigeria’s economy to an enviable height.
The Acting Director General of NYSC, Mrs Christy Uba stated this in Abuja, the nation’s capital in a message commending Corps Members for their patriotic zeal in rendering selfless service to the nation by accepting the clarion call as enshrined in the Corps Act.
The Acting Director General said that “in the course of the Service Year, we are determined to sustain our collaboration with relevant stakeholders towards providing the enabling environment for a productive and rewarding experience for Corps Members in active service to the nation.
“The management is introducing measures aimed at strengthening the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development , SAED programme with a view to create a sustainable platform for wealth creation and self reliant opportunities for Corps Members”, she added.
Mrs Uba also commended corps members who in the course of National Service, represented their respective States of Service in various competitions and events organised by the Scheme and other national engagements.
“Such commendable gesture and commitment by Corps Members no doubt encourages national unity and integration and should therefore be sustained.
“The year 2022 has been an eventful and historic moment for the National Youth Service Corps. We congratulate Corps Members for sustaining the vision of the Scheme through various interventions that continuously promote national unity, integration and development of the critical sectors of our national economy.
“Indeed, you must be applauded for accepting your deployment in good faith to various states of service and subsequent postings to respective places of Primary Assignment. This practice has facilitated the rapid development of various host communities across the country for about five decades and helped to sustain the increasing relevance of the Scheme to national development”.
The Acting Director General also reminded Corps Members that the year 2023 provides another opportunity for the Scheme to prove its worth as an indispensable, unbiased umpire and critical element in strengthening the credibility and successful conduct of the 2023 General Elections and National Census.
“Be informed that the integrity of the Scheme is paramount in this regard. As worthy Ambassadors, you must be ready to uphold the good name of the Scheme at all times.
“Nigerians regard Corps Members as role models and future leaders of the nation. I therefore urge you all to eschew all forms of religious and ethnic bigotry, cultism, bribery, corruption, and other social vices in the discharge of your national assignments”, she added.
She assured them that the Management of the Scheme and all category of Officers will be on routine visits to monitor their conduct and ensure provision of adequate welfare packages for them to carryout their duties in the national interest.
While appreciating Government at all levels for their support, she said “we must redouble our commitment and collective efforts towards sustaining the relevance and invaluable contributions of the Scheme to national development. Be rest assured that Nigerians of all shades of opinion appreciate your selfless service to the nation.
“Management will, in accordance with the provisions of the enabling Act of the Scheme, identify Corps Members who distinguished themselves in the course of national service and reward them accordingly”.
Speaking further, she said that in the course of the Service Year, they are determined to sustain their collaboration with relevant stakeholders towards providing the enabling environment for a productive and rewarding experience for Corps Members in active service to the nation.
“Indeed, the new year 2023 looks promising as we all look forward to the Golden Jubilee celebration of the establishment of the Scheme; 1973-2023. I therefore, wish to call on both Staff and Corps Members, Stakeholders and our teeming publics to join hands with us towards consolidating on the gains of previous administrations and chart a prosperous future for the Service Corps”.
