The Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule has commended the NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim for taking the Scheme to greater heights with innovations.
Gov Sule gave the commendation today while commissioning the multi-million Naira NYSC North-Central Skill Acquisition Centre, NYSC Bakery, Garment and Water Factories located inside the Nasarawa State Orientation Camp, Magaji Dan Yamusa, Keffi.
He said the outlets would serve as a veritable training platforms for Corps Members and also boost the revenue drive of the Scheme.
“I want to thank you for your vision of redefining and reinvigorating the NYSC as a whole.
“You came in and redefined NYSC. You set up a museum, set up skill acquisition centres all across the country, and today, you are so lucky you have been able to actually have NYSC now generating revenue and returning same to the federal government for the first time in the history of NYSC.
“I want to assure you that by the grace of God, we will not only patronize the products you are having here, we will equally find ways to work together as a team because this is coming right on time”, the Governor said.
The Director, Ventures Management, Prince Mohammed Momoh in his introductory remarks said that the garment factory would contribute immensely to the Scheme’s stride towards self-sufficiency in kit production.
“It is imperative to mention that the garment factory is equipped with 100 industrial sewing machines needed for the production of high-quality kit items to be used by the Corps Members”, he said.
Momoh added that the water factory had three water packaging lines for the production of sachet water, as well as pet and dispenser bottle water. Speaking further, he disclosed that the bakery comprised modern oven and other equipment required for the production of health enriching bread.
“It is instructive to note that products of our bakery will be supplied to Orientation Camps in line with our mandate, and also sold to the general public”, he said.
In his address,NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim said the new Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Centre represents another giant stride in Management’s efforts to deepen the impact of the SAED programme.
“The execution of these projects is in line with one of the cardinal points of my policy thrust, which is to “reinvigorate the NYSC Ventures and the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme in line with the NYSC Act for greater impact”.
He added that like similar skill acquisition centres established for the North-East, North-West and South-West, the North-Central project would provide Corps Members access to effective post-camp training in different vocational skill areas.
“We are already in talks with the Nasarawa State University on a proposed partnership whereby the Entrepreneurship Unit of the Institution will use this facility to impart entrepreneurial skills to both the Corps Members and interested youths of Keffi Community”, he said.
Ibrahim also stated that his administration’s priority attention to the development of the ventures is in line with the Federal Government’s policies on food security and diversification of the economy through optimization of the nation’s potentials in non-oll sectors.
Speaking further, he said “our sustained focus on revamping the NYSC Ventures is bearing impressive results, as over one billion Naira generated through these sources was paid into the Federal Government coffers for the years 2020 and 2021. This is the first time the NYSC is remitting revenue to the Federal Government, an achievement that has earned us commendations from the higher authorities, including the National Assembly”.
He listed some of his administration’s achievements in revamping the NYSC ventures to include; “the restoration of the NYSC Water Factory and the NYSC Bakery both located at the Permanent Orientation Camp, Kubwa, FCT, to full operation.
Revamping of the NYSC Garment Factories located in Minna, Niger State and Mgbakwu, Anambra State.
Enhancement of the operations of the NYSC Farm Settlements across the country, especially with supply of equipment and, other necessary inputs to the farms located in the FCT, as well as Bauchi, Kebbi and Oyo States.
Sustained advocacy resulting in the return to the Scheme, of the NYSC farmland at Ezillo, which was hitherto taken over by the Ebonyi State Government and procurement of tractor for farming operations at the NYSC farm Ezillo, Ebonyi State”.
Others according to General Ibrahim include, “Initiation of partnerships with the Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA). International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) on the training of Corps Members and Staff, as well as deployment of modern farming techniques and equipment.
Resuscitation of the moribund NYSC Feed Mill, Lagos, which is now ready to start production of animal feeds.
Construction of new poultry pen at NYSC Farm, Kwali, FCT and registration of the following ventures with the Corporate Affairs Commission; the NYSC Garment Factory, Mgbakwu, Anambra State; NYSC Garment Factory, Minna, Niger State; NYSC Rice Mill, Ezillo, Ebonyi State; NYSC Bakery and Water Factory, Kubwa, Abuja, establishment of the NYSC Museum domiciled in the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters, aimed at effective preservation of the Scheme’s records, artifacts and legacies, Including Corps Members’ inventions, fabrications, among others”.
The Director-General added that NYSC Radio and Television have both started test transmission following the acquisition of licence for Direct Satellite TV Broadcast and approval by the Federal Government with NYSC Radio 88.3FM and NYSC Television Channel 365 on TStv.
Ibrahim stated that this will help in ensuring adequate sensitization of the general public on the programmes and achievements of the NYSC, in addition to the policies and developmental strides of the Federal Government.
He said both broadcast outfits would also serve as training ground for Corps Members with interest in broadcast journalism.
Dignitaries that graced the ocassion include Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Ambassador Tukur Yusuf Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazzau, APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, NYSC National Governing Board Chairman, Ambassador Fati Bala Abubakar, Representatives of Access Bank Plc, Managing Director of Capital Express Assurance Limited, Mrs Bola Odukale, traditional rulers, captains of industries, politicians, among others.
