NYSC empowers graduates through compulsory skills acquisition in Ondo

THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ondo State, on Monday said the introduction of compulsory skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programme for all corps members in camps was designed to enable corps members become job creators rather than seeking for jobs after their one year national programme.

The Ondo State Coordinator of the NYSC, James Olugbodi, who stated this in Ikare- Akoko, in Akoko North East local government area of the state, said the scheme was also put in place to prepare corps members for life after the service year.

Speaking during the flag off of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) on Monday at the NYSC orientation camp, Olugbodi commended the Director General of the NYSC over his vision, saying the programme would go a long way to reduce employment in the country.

He said the Corp members would be exposed to different training which include, bead making, cosmetology, agro-allied businesses, event management, shoe and soap making during the training.

Olugbodi said “the NYSC thought the best way is to teach corps members’ skills on how they will be able to stand alone when the monthly allowance stops after service. This will help to solve the problem of unemployment to some extent in the country.

“The one we are doing in camp is like introduction, after they are posted out of the camp, they will be given list of our facilitators in various local governments to continue the training,”

He however urged the corps members to create jobs for others, nothing that having passion for entrepreneurship and skills acquisition is a sure way for solving the unemployment problem of young graduates.

The Assistant Director, SAED in the state, Mrs Ehimwenma Itohan, specifically said the programme was not optional, but would be run for the service year saying the programme has been divided into two phases, camp training and post camp training.

She said “It comprises of learning soft skills and the proper training itself through facilitators. It is not optional; it’s part of camp activities which must be embraced,”

Also speaking at the event, Head of SAED at the NYSC camp, Mrs Jennifer Dawodu, said corp members must think of what they can give back to the society and not the other way round always.

Dawodu disclosed that there was a synergy between the NYSC management and some commercial banks, which will give loans to interested corps members to help them to invest in any of the acquired skills and to start a business of their own.

She said “We want our corps members to be self-reliant. Your parents have tried to take care of you up to this stage, don’t be a disappointment by going back home after service and be collecting money from them,”