The Federal Government has commended the Management of National Youth Service Corps for adopting information technology (IT) solutions in data collation, processing for mobilization and deployment purposes.
It said there was the need to adopt more innovative strategies to enhance the best practices for graduate mobilization for national service.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Barr. Nysom Wike stated this today while declaring open the maiden meeting of NYSC Management with Heads Of Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs) in Nigeria, held in Abuja.
He lauded the tremendous contributions of Corps Members deployed to serve in the Federal Capital Territory, especially in critical sectors like health, education and rural development.
The Minister, represented by the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Hon. Dr Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi, promised that the FCT administration would continue to accord priority to the security and welfare of Corps Members.
“I commend the decision of the NYSC to periodically bring critical stakeholders together for brainstorming on the best strategies for greater success, which aligns perfectly with the contemporary global best practices for achieving the desired results”, he said.
The Minister urged participants at the meeting to participate actively and offer insightful contributions.
In her goodwill message, the Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim said the Federal Government would embark on a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps that would meet future demand.
She added that about 5,000 Corps Members’ entrepreneurial ventures would be funded with up to Ten Million Naira.
“We envision a future where the NYSC programmes are not only self-sustained but also a revenue generating programme within the next five years. And to achieve this, we will institutionalize the NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit”, She said.
In his welcome address, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said the meeting was in line with the provision of NYSC Act, which required that the Scheme should maintain regular contacts with Corps Producing Institutions.
He added that NYSC would continue to ensure seamless mobilization of Prospective Corps Members.
General Ahmed also said the decision to initiate the direct interface with the Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts came as a result of the Scheme’s desire to elicit more decisive actions.
“We have also observed that the delegation of the role of principal officers of some institutions to their subordinates is partly responsible for the shortfalls and abuses that have bedeviled the mobilization process, including the presentation of unqualified person’s for enlistment”, NYSC DG said.
The Director General also used the forum to appeal to Corps Producing Institutions, parents and the general public to use all available venues to complement NYSC efforts in sensitizing young graduates on call-up for National Service to avoid travelling at night when reporting to their States of deployment.
