NYSC: Gov Bago charges Corps members to tap into agricultural value chain

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to explore opportunities in agriculture and its value chain.

The governor made the call during the conclusion of the 2024 Batch B Stream One Orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.

Umaru Bago, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Yahaya Gulbin-Boka, urged the corps members to engage in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire skills that would be beneficial to them in the long run.

The governor also encouraged the corps members to leverage their proficiency in ICT to key into the “Digital Literacy for All” campaign recently flagged off in Minna.

“Developed economies are technology-driven. Well to leverage on this opportunity,” he said.

The governor further urged the corps members to take advantage of the state’s agricultural value chain, aimed at feeding the nation, to become self-reliant.

Earlier in her welcome address, the NYSC Coordinator in Niger State, Mrs Olayinka Abdulwahab, charged the corps members to uphold the values of the scheme and make meaningful contributions to nation-building.

She emphasised that the orientation course was designed to familiarise the corps members with the scheme’s objectives and prepare them for the expectations of the service year.

Abdulwahab highlighted the NYSC’s objective of promoting integration and unity, noting that corps members’ deployment to Niger State alongside individuals from diverse backgrounds exemplifies this noble goal.

She said the SAED programme aims to instil values of self-reliance, self-development, and wealth creation in the corps members.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the Niger State Government and Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, emphasised the NYSC’s role in promoting unity among graduate youths from diverse backgrounds.

Usman, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Dr Nuhu Garba Ngaski, urged the corps members to develop strong ties of friendship, understand, and respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities.

He advised them to contribute positively to the growth of their host communities and assured them of essential amenities, accommodation, and security for their welfare and success during their sojourn in the state.