The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Youths Development, Honourable Ayodele Olawande has charged corps members to believe and invest their youthful energies to develop the country.
The Minister shared this optimism when he addressed the 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream 1) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Olawande, whose humility when he arrived camp held everyone spellbound declared that the graduate youths had no other country than Nigeria and assured that the country will be great again.
"Gentlemen Corps Members, I want to let you know that irrespective of what we are passing through as a nation, things are going to be alright. We have a renewed hope in this country that youths are the ones to drive the economy and the present Government is giving the youths the needed space to excel".
He said that the antidote to various challenges facing us lies in our ability to come together and love one another.
"When we love ourselves genuinely and love our fellow human beings, we shall have peace in this country. NYSC has brought you together to interface for the greater benefit of this country. If you truly love yourself and extend such love to your colleagues and friends that you have built relationships with since you arrive the camp, then we are going to surmount all challenges bedevilling us if we can sacrifice a little more".
"Government is not folding her arms but constantly and continuously engaging Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to create avenues for youths to have access to income earning opportunities and capacity to take advantage of the opportunities. One of the best ways this could be achieved is through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and I don't want this opportunity to slip off your fingers".
"Since the inception of SAED some years ago, NYSC has proven to be one of the most veritable platforms to reduce unemployment and combat poverty. The establishment of SAED is to trigger development through massive involvement of graduate youths and a means to enhance their economic independence".
The youthful Minister who once served under Buhari Administration as Personal Assistant to the Special Adviser - Innovation to the Vice President asserted that youths can become whatever they desire in life if they are honest and hardworking.
"If I can become a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, then any youth can aspire and become whatever they desire in life. There is nothing too difficult or impossible for God to do but you need to remain focused and persevere so that your vision will come to reality at the appointed time.
The Minister who is an indigene of Ondo State enjoined corps members to see the call to serve their fatherland as a privilege which they should not abuse in any form, noting that the management of the noble Scheme has done a lot in her almost 51 years of existence.
While briefing the Honourable Minister, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani who received overwhelming ovation from the corps members when her achievements were reeled out said that the management and the entire corps members were extremely happy to receive in audience the prominent son of Ondo State.
"The Honourable Minister Sir, the entire camp community have been in high spirit when the news filtered in that you will be visiting the camp. As you can see, the joy that radiates among the corps members and camp officials in undescribable. On behalf of the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yisha'u Dogara Ahmed, DSS, fdc, fnli, MTRCN, MNARC, I welcome you to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko".
"Your commitment to make a difference and work for the total emancipation and improvement in the capacity of youths in the country is an incontrovertible fact that given the right atmosphere, our youths can surpass the achievements of the older generations.
The State Coordinator admonished all corps members to imitate the humility displayed by the Honourable Minister which according to her would take them far in life.
The Honourable Minister who is the Youth Leader of the ruling party in Ondo, the Sunshine State mixed freely with the corps members and even played tenor drum and trumpet with the NYSC Musical and Parade Band. He did not leave without extending his hospitality and generosity towards the corps members.
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