NYSC at 53: DG Seeks Approval of Trust Fund to Boost Youth Empowerment
Oru Leonard
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called for public support for the approval of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund as the Scheme marks its 53rd anniversary of nation-building.
Speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, General Nafiu said the Trust Fund would strengthen the NYSC’s Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme by providing Corps Members with start-up capital to establish businesses and create jobs.
According to him, the initiative would also help curb youth restiveness by engaging graduates in productive ventures capable of reducing idleness and social vices.
The DG noted that the NYSC has remained faithful to its mandate of promoting national unity, cohesion and socio-economic development since it was established by the administration of former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, following the Civil War.
He said the Scheme has continued to foster unity through inter-tribal marriages, cultural integration and the deployment of Corps Members outside their states of origin, leading to lasting friendships and stronger national ties.
General Nafiu further highlighted several technological reforms introduced by the Scheme, including electronic identity cards, digital record-keeping, online camp registration and the use of social media platforms for information dissemination.
On entrepreneurship development, he explained that the SAED programme, introduced in 2012, was designed to strengthen the informal sector of the economy by equipping Corps Members with vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
He disclosed that the NYSC recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Enterprise Development Centre to further enhance the programme.
According to him, more than 500,000 Corps Members have registered businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission through the initiative.
The NYSC boss also reaffirmed management’s commitment to seamless online registration and mobilization processes for prospective Corps Members.
He identified inadequate accommodation facilities at orientation camps as a major factor affecting Corps deployment and called on state governments to fulfill their obligations under the NYSC Act by providing and maintaining conducive orientation camp facilities.
General Nafiu revealed that Enugu and Osun states are currently renovating their orientation camps, while Lagos State is constructing a new orientation camp to improve the welfare of Corps Members.
He added that state governments are expected to provide operational vehicles and camp subventions, while local government chairmen are responsible for providing Corps lodges.
The DG also appealed to Student Affairs Officers in Corps-producing institutions to submit names of qualified graduates promptly to avoid delays in mobilization.
On security and welfare, Nafiu advised Corps Members to comply strictly with travel advisories and security guidelines, including avoiding night travel and risky movements.
He disclosed that the NYSC has partnered with security agencies to ensure the safety of Corps Members travelling to orientation camps, while all serving Corps Members are covered under the National Health Insurance Authority health package for free medical treatment during service.
The NYSC helmsman added that the Scheme’s ventures, including farms, bread and water factories, garment factories and other enterprise initiatives, also serve as sources of internally generated revenue while helping Corps Members acquire vocational skills and develop a culture of savings.
He further urged Corps Members to use social media responsibly by promoting positive content that would not bring them into conflict with the law.
