The Director, NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, Mr. Hillary Nasamu has disclosed that the Scheme is committed to the capacity building of corps members serving nationwide.
The Director who was represented by the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani disclosed this on Tuesday when he flagged off the SAED activities for the 2021 Batch 'B' (Stream 1) orientation course.
Mr. Nasamu expressed the concern that sizeable number of young graduates does not possess the practical skills necessary for the available jobs in the Nigerian economy.
"Concern with this troubling situation, and as its contribution to closing the identified gaps, the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development SAED programme building capacity of corps members to gain the required entrepreneurship and hands-on skills to cope with the challenges of unemployment and global socio-economic downturn".
According to the Director, the mandate of SAED is to contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the SDG (reduction of extreme poverty and hunger), among others.
"The programme is a nationwide initiative targeting the Nigerian graduates mobilised for one year national service. It is designed to be implemented within the framework of the camp (in-camp) and the service year (post-camp)of the corps members".
He listed the objectives of the programme which is tailored towards assisting corps members to include cultivate the culture of entrepreneurship and income generation practices; building of capacity to see opportunities to create wealth from situations around; identify demand-driven business skills; gather information on funding opportunities and gain technical assistance in the job search.
"Accordingly, you will find opportunities to be economically active as entrepreneurs or be self-employed in your own business/profession. Therefore, take time to explore this business opportunities rather than seeking elusive paid employment" he said.
Mr. Nasamu disclosed that NYSC SAED has created opportunities for financing of corps members' business proposals through many channels such as the YouthEntrepreneurship Development (YEDP), in which Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with commercial banks mobilises resources for corps members' business financing.
The NYSC Director also added that NYSC has made arrangements with some organisations to provide mentoring/apprenticeship in their facilities where the corps members can also access funding opportunities.
"My dear corps members, you have potentials in untapped human capital, energy, resourcefulness, creativity and adaptive ability. Participation in this programme is a rare privilege for you to give these positive attributes full expression in order to blossom and find fulfilment" he concluded.
In her opening remarks, the Assistant Director/Head, SAED, Mrs. Itohan Ehimwenma said that SAED programme is geared towards sensitisation and mobilisation for corps members for enrolment into acquiring skill and developing entrepreneurs.
"You will be exposed to viable commercial skills in the areas of Agro-allied, Food Processing, Culture & Tourism, Cosmetology, Construction, Power & Energy, ICT amongst others".
She urged the corps members to take the SAED training seriously and become wealth creators which can be attained through creativity and mastery.
"The entrepreneur's stimulant is success. Infuse your life with action and don't wait for things to happen, make your own future and the best way to predict the future is to invent it. Be your own boss and become your own Chief Encouraging Officer (CEO)" she concluded.
SPORTS CAN TAKE YOU TO STARDOM
- State Coordinator
Meanwhile, Mrs Ani has encouraged corps members to see participation in sports as a business that can take them to stardom.
The State Coordinator made the statement when she flagged off sporting activities for the 2021 Batch 'B' (Stream 1) corps members.
Mrs. Ani said that NYSC has become training ground where young, energetic and talented individuals are selected to represent Nigeria at international sporting competitions.
"Before you were born and in 1980 precisely, Adokiye Amiesimaka as a corps member was a member of the national team; Green Eagles that won gold at the finals of the African Cup of Nations played in Lagos in 1980".
"Playing as a winger on the left of midfield, Adokiye Amiesimaka who equally played the soccer finals of the 1980 Summer Olympics was dreaded because of his pace and dribbling runs which were distinguished feature of his footballing career".
Mrs. Ani said that like Adokiye Amiesimaka, many patriotic Nigerians in various sporting events, made Nigeria proud with their exploit and admonished the corps members to learn a lesson on patriotism and selfless service from these personalities.
The NYSC Ondo State boss said that the members of the service corps should use sports to build bridges of unity across the length and breadth of the country rather than identifying with one's geopolitical zone or religion.
"It amuses me to discover that during sporting activities on camp, corps members rally round their team and encourage them with beautiful songs, dance steps, drums and trumpets. During this period, we don't know who is from the West or East, North and South".
She admonished the participating corps members not to see the competitions as a do or die affair but a platform to come together and celebrate themselves.
My dear children, sporting competitions on camp is arranged to relax your nerves after a very busy day and I want to admonish you not to see it as a must win so that you don't injure yourselves. I am hopeful that some of you will be selected for Zonal preliminary of NYSC DG Sports and Cultural holding immediately after the camp.
In his welcome address, the Head of Sports, Mr. Olawuyi Lasisi assured the State Coordinator that with the pep talk given to the corps members during his address, there would not be casualties.
Mr. Lasisi thanked the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani for the huge investment made for his Committee which saw the purchase of goal post and volleyball court nets.
The Head, Sports who is the Assistant Director/Head, Human Resource Management in the Secretariat promised to put to judicious use all the materials and equipment purchased for the sporting activities on camp.
The Coordinator thereafter performed the traditional kick-off of the Football and Volleyball competitions respectively.
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