Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, made this declaration at the inaugural meeting of NYSC management with heads of corps-producing institutions in Nigeria.

The meeting was held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja on Monday.

The Minister revealed that over 5000 corps members would have their entrepreneurial ventures funded with up to N10 million.

“Permit me to inform us very briefly on what is to come regarding NYSC reforms. I’m pleased to announce that I will be inaugurating a team to undertake the review, restructuring and reforms of the NYSC. The first of these reforms will be centred on reviewing participants with an entrepreneurship mindset and making skills development a core of the programme,” the Minister explained.

She further outlined the vision for the future, envisioning a scenario where NYSC programs are not only self-sustained but also revenue-generating within the next five years.

To achieve this, they plan to institutionalize NYSC ventures as an investment and asset management outfit.

Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed the Director-General of NYSC, while welcoming the heads of corps-producing institutions, stated that the meeting aimed to enhance the mobilization process of prospective corps members.

He emphasized that the meeting, which follows a previous one with heads of corps-producing institutions in West African countries, seeks to evolve strategies for eliminating identified flaws and ensuring a more seamless mobilization process.

“We have identified some obstacles, including the delegation of roles to subordinates, and we believe that the direct involvement of chief executives of institutions will promote a deeper appreciation of issues and ensure desired results,” Ahmed added.

He reiterated NYSC’s commitment to the security and general welfare of corps members, urging corps-producing institutions, parents, and the general public to complement efforts in sensitizing young graduates on call-up for national service.

Addressing officials, Coordinator Hajiya Aisha Mohammed stressed the need for exemplary behavior, urging officials to uphold discipline throughout the orientation period.

She specifically cautioned against excessive socialization with corps members, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a professional relationship.

“Working in synergy will make the corps members borrow a leaf from you and participate actively in all camp activities,” she said.

Mohammed urged personnel to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the orientation course, highlighting the role of officials in setting a positive example for young participants.

Furthermore, she called for collaboration between security agents and camp officials to ensure a safe and productive environment. Camp Commandant, Capt.

AS Musa echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of teamwork for the successful execution of the exercise and reaffirming the commitment of security agencies to camp security.

The Minister of Youth, Jamila Ibrahim, revealed that members of the NYSC will no longer be posted to states considered unsafe due to the worsening security conditions.

Speaking on Channels Television’s current affairs show “Sunday Politics,” Minister Jamila Ibrahim emphasized the immediate intervention taken by the government and the NYSC to address the safety of corps members.

She stated, “We have actually stopped posting corps members to the very unsafe states,” highlighting the ongoing efforts to prioritize their security.

The minister underscored the collaborative approach involving various government agencies in ensuring the safety of NYSC members.

Emphasizing the multi-sectoral nature of security matters, she stated, “We are working with security outlets to ensure corps members are safe,” and mentioned plans for group transportation strategies to and from camps and other destinations.

Addressing broader reforms within the NYSC scheme, Minister Jamila Ibrahim discussed the government’s commitment to adapting the program to current national realities.

Specifically, she mentioned a holistic approach to funding the NYSC and announced ongoing reforms to transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency.

The reforms aim to go beyond the program’s current status as a social initiative and better prepare corps members for the job market.

Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, made the disclosure while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.

The minister also explained that the Federal Government was working on reforming the NYSC scheme to reflect the present realities of the nation.

She further explained that they all understand that resources were dwindling, stressing that they would find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is well-taken care of.

According to her, “The reforms will transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare the corps members for the job market and to be decently and gainfully employed or to be employers of labour through entrepreneurship all the support they need in that career path.”

She also disclosed that corps members were no longer posted to states deemed unsafe in the wake of worsening insecurity in the country.

The minister explained that the security of corps members required collaboration with other agencies of government.

Speaking at a meeting in Abuja with the theme ‘Tackling the Emerging Challenges in Mobilization of Foreign-Trained Graduates for Effective National Service’, Ahmed emphasized the NYSC’s goal of reshaping Nigerian youth for national unity and development.

In his address, Ahmed outlined the core values instilled by the NYSC program, including discipline, honesty, probity, accountability, hard work, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance.

He expressed concern about the compromise in producing well-rounded graduates, attributing it to the prioritization of financial gains by some school owners at the expense of character and learning.

Ahmed announced a significant development, stating that starting from the 2024 Batch ‘A’ service year, the collection of the master list of graduates would be expanded to include schools in the Niger Republic, Cameroon, Ghana, and Uganda, representing approximately 20% of graduates from the African continent.

This expansion, he explained, is a proactive measure to address the vulnerability to the forgery of academic and travel documents in certain countries.

The NYSC Director-General underscored the importance of ensuring the integrity of the National Service and preventing fraudulent practices, signaling a commitment to upholding the ideals of the NYSC in producing qualified and morally upright graduates.

She emphasized the importance of strengthening the scheme to build upon its commendable achievements in youth empowerment, fostering national unity and integration, enhancing rural development, and improving education, among other critical objectives.

The minister made this appeal during her visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

She expressed her commitment to collaborating with the NYSC management to realize the scheme’s goals, highlighting her unwavering advocacy for the NYSC and its vital role in the current socio-political landscape.

“This is a crucial time for the NYSC, and I believe that the scheme should be sustained. We will work together for the betterment of Nigerian youths,” Bio-Ibrahim stated.

Brigadier General YD Ahmed, the Director-General of the NYSC, extended congratulations to the minister on her appointment.

He acknowledged the NYSC’s prominent status in Nigeria, emphasizing its invaluable contributions to national unity and the country’s socio-economic development.

The Director-General noted that the NYSC has adapted to meet the evolving needs of the nation.

In its commitment to enhancing the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program, the scheme has partnered with various organizations, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank, Unity Bank, Gombe State University, Nasarawa State University, and the NYSC Foundation, among others.

These collaborations provide financial empowerment and technical support to corps members, enabling them to establish businesses aligned with the skills they acquired during their service.

General Ahmed also highlighted some of the challenges faced by the NYSC, including the subpar condition of certain orientation camps, insufficient corps lodges, and a shortage of vehicles for the inspection of corps members, among other issues.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, during an announcement made in Abuja on Monday.

Corps members have been cautioned against embarking on night journeys as they return to their respective families.

The NYSC has arranged a week-long program for the outgoing Corps members, which will include discussions on job creation and employment opportunities post-service.

These discussions will be led by experienced officers from NYSC and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

The distribution of certificates is scheduled to take place at the Local Government level on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

The Director-General commended the Corps members for their valuable contributions to national development, particularly their roles during the 2023 general elections, where they made significant impacts in various sectors such as healthcare, education, rural development, and more.

General Ahmed also urged the corps members to uphold the values of patriotism, diligence, loyalty, and self-empowerment that they have acquired during their service year.

He made these remarks during the Nationwide Grassroot Gender Sensitisation and Advocacy Campaign in Rural Communities held in Bauchi on Tuesday.

During the event, Brig.-Gen. Yushau Ahmed explained that the NYSC has been actively combatting GBV through its Corps Gender Vanguards, who are equipped with the necessary skills to conduct awareness campaigns and provide support in rural areas.

This sensitization program simultaneously takes place in all Northern states.

Furthermore, the Corps Vanguards have played a vital role in the establishment of Gender Clubs in schools, which, in turn, connect victims of gender abuse with the GBV toll-free line, 08031230651, provided by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

Brig.-Gen. Ahmed emphasized that gender issues affect both sexes, including rights and responsibilities, and this recognition led to the selection of the theme “Gender Equality, Respect All” for the campaign.

He highlighted that GBV encompasses physical and psychological abuse and constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights. He called for collective efforts to combat this issue, particularly among rural communities.

Mr. Aroni Sunday, the Head of the Reforms Unit at NYSC Headquarters, expressed gratitude for the NYSC’s commitment to addressing gender inequality and promoting human rights.

He appreciated the Director-General for granting approval for the sensitization campaign despite competing demands for limited resources.

Brig.-Gen. Yushau Ahmed assured that the NYSC would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to advance gender mainstreaming in the country and urged Nigerians to support the NYSC Gender Vanguards by creating an enabling environment for their impactful work.

During the swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 orientation course at Damare camp in Girei Local Government, Adamawa, Mr. Jingi Denis, the NYSC Adamawa Coordinator, delivered this firm message.

He emphasized that any violation of these guidelines would result in appropriate sanctions being imposed.

Denis stressed the importance of adhering to the NYSC Act and the NYSC Bye-Laws and advised the corps members to earnestly observe all stipulations.

He warned that negligence in this regard might have repercussions that haunt them long after their service year, potentially tainting their future professional pursuits.

“Please do the right thing now and avoid any regrets in the future,” he urged.

Denis also called on the corps members to take their responsibilities seriously and actively engage in all camp programs and activities.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Edga Amos, extended his congratulations to the newly deployed corps members for their successful graduation.

He offered a reminder that traditional office jobs might not always be readily available and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities for self-employment presented through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme.

Fintiri regarded the corps members as vital collaborators in the state’s endeavors, particularly in education, healthcare, agriculture, and rural development initiatives.

He pledged continued support for the NYSC scheme within the state, highlighting the reciprocal nature of expectations and contributions.

Mr. Wali Yakubu, Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board in Adamawa, echoed the sentiment by emphasizing compliance with camp rules and regulations.

He underscored the significance of active involvement in camp activities, particularly skill acquisition, which he believed could transform the participants from job seekers to job creators.