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NYSC raises the alarm over bad state of orientation camps

By Ernest Nzor, Abuja
29 January 2022   |   3:13 am
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has raised the alarm over the dilapidated conditions of its orientation camp facilities across the country.

Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has raised the alarm over the dilapidated conditions of its orientation camp facilities across the country.

This is even as the Scheme noted that the NYSC Trust Fund would make the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme of the scheme more impactful through provision of training facilities and start-up capital for corps entrepreneurs if passed into law.

Director-General of NYSC, Shuaibu Ibrahim, spoke in Abuja, yesterday, during the 2022 NYSC yearly management conference, which held with the theme, ‘Repositioning the NYSC for Improved Healthcare Delivery, Revenue Generation and Corps Employment for Self-Reliance’.

Ibrahim noted that since its establishment in 1973, NYSC has continued to play vital roles in areas of national unity and integration, promotion of peaceful co-existence among people of different socio-cultural backgrounds and free movement of labour among others.

He added: “The contributions of the Scheme to national development, particularly in the areas of health, education, rural infrastructure, culture and tourism, sports, conduct of elections and job creation have attracted commendations from within and outside the country.

“Detailed documentation of these and other contributions have been made in nine books, which we published and unveiled to the public last year. The Scheme’s accomplishments are also being showcased through our in-house news magazine, print and electronic media and the newly established NYSC Museum/Archives.”

He, however, noted that despite the aforementioned achievements, the Scheme still faces some challenges, saying: “These arise mainly from non-discharge of statutory responsibilities by some critical stakeholders. Problems such as dilapidated Orientation Camp facilities, inadequate Corps Lodges and lack of befitting office accommodation are being contended within some states. Another area of concern has to do with the provision of start-up capital for corps members after acquisition of entrepreneurial skills.”

In his remarks, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Muhammad Musa Bello, who was represented by the Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed, gave the assurance that the administration would partner with the Scheme towards the successful implementation of its lofty programmes.

Also, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Ahmed Wada Ikaka, noted that the yearly conference was a forum where top managers of the NYSC meet to take stock of its activities with a view to mapping out strategies and programmes that would consolidate on the gains and tackle challenges identified for better operations.

He said: “In order to build on the achievements recorded by the Scheme over the years, participants are expected to make useful contributions in the course of this conference. This is with a view to evolving new ideas and best practices, which will form a road map that will improve the Scheme’s operations for greater impact. In addition, papers will be presented by resource persons of high repute on topical issues in line with the NYSC mandate.”

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