Umaru Bago of Niger on Friday described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future.
By Rita Iliya
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger on Friday described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s future.
Bago said this during the opening of 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko Local Government of the state.
Bago, represented by Dr Muhammad Makusidi, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of the SSG, charged the corps members to be agents of change and nation-builders.
“I make bold to say that NYSC remains a beacon of hope for the future Nigeria we are aiming to build; it is my ardent hope that you will join in this rewarding journey of nation building.
“NYSC remains one of the strongest platforms for maintaining national unity and development,” he said.
He noted that NYSC had not failed in any of its set objectives over the years.
He added that it had been able to sustain its mandate of rallying Nigerian graduate youths and instilling in them noble qualities of commitment, patriotism, teamwork, integrity and tolerance.
The governor, however, urged the corps members to be disciplined and take advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED) at the camp to acquire skills that would make them self-reliance.
According to him, your degree is hardly enough these days, therefore it is vital to have skill in order to boost your profile.
He also encouraged them to leverage on the “Digital Literacy for All” campaign, saying that developed economies were technology driven.
Bago assured the corps members that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the scheme to thrive.
Earlier, Mrs Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, Coordinator of NYSC in Niger, called on the corps members deployed to the state to embrace the SAED as a vital tool for self-reliance.
She encouraged them to take the training seriously, saying that white-collar jobs were not guaranteed.
“I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunities for self-development offered through the SAED,” she said.
Shuaibu-Ibrahim also urged the corps members to utilise social media responsibly by using it to promote national unity and development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)