Learn Languages, Cultures Of Your Host Communities’, NYSC DG Charges Corps Members

 

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, has charged Corps Members to integrate into their host communities through learning their languages and cultures.

Mr Ibrahim gave the charge on Tuesday in his address on the occasion of the terminal parade and official closing ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream ‘1’ orientation course, at NYSC Orientation Camp, Afikpo in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The D-G’s address which was read on his behalf, by the Ebonyi State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Bamai Mercy, also urged the new Corps members to devote time to identify the felt needs of their host communities and initiate personal and group development service projects that would uplift their living standards.

 “As you set to report to the places of your primary assignment, I wish to stress the need to be diligent with your duties. I am also urged you to integrate into your host communities through the learning of their languages and cultures.

“Also, you should devote time to identify the felt needs of the communities and initiate personal and group development service projects that will uplift their living standards”, Ibrahim said.

He further warned them against social vices such as drug abuse and trafficking, cybercrime and advanced-fee-fraud, adding that anyone caught in the act, would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the NYSC bye-laws.

He emphasized the importance of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and commended the enthusiasm the new Corps members, demonstrated doing the vocational and entrepreneurial training conducted for them in the camp, noting that the SAED programme had been carefully designed to equip them for self-employment and wealth creation, amidst the rising unemployment in the society.

He encouraged them to build on the skills acquired by availing themselves of opportunities for post-camp training.

According to him, the desire to make the SAED programme more impactful partly informed our advocacy for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund, adding, “Once it becomes operational, the quality of the programme will be further enhanced through the provision of adequate training materials and engagement of more specialist trainers.”

“All trainees with bankable business proposals will also be supported with start-up grants. You will be in turn be expected to step down the vocational training or employ a good number of youths of your host communities.

“That way, we will be pulling millions of Nigerians out of poverty, thereby stemming the tides of youth restiveness and the tendency for criminality,” he added.

The NYSC boss thanked the House of Representatives, and the entire National Assembly for the progress made so far on the legislative processes on the bill for the establishment of the Trust Fund, which, he said, not only had passed through second reading but also subjected to the public hearing.

“In the same vein, I thank the numerous stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, various government agencies and non-governmental organizations, the Academia, civil society organizations as well as women. Youth and students groups used the occasion of the public hearing to voice their overwhelming support for the Bill.

“I will to passionately appeal to the appropriate authorities to facilitate the success of the remaining processes that will bring the Trust Fund to fruition,” he added.

He also assured the Corps Members, that their welfare and security were topmost on NYSC’s priority list, even as he urged them to play their part.

“In this regard, we have sustained our liaison with security agencies and other stakeholders with the view of not only ensuring your safety but also making the essential provisions that will enable you to have a fulfilling service year.

“However, we expect you to play your own part by being security conscious at all times. You must avoid risky engagements such as staying out late at night, attendance of late-night parties, visitation of dangerous places and acceptance of car ride from strangers”, he said.

Ibrahim also reminded the Corps members of the need to observe COVID-19 protocols, saying, “the Federal Government’s directive on the presentation of the evidence of COVID-19 vaccination as a prerequisite for gaining entry to public offices subsists.

“You are, therefore, advised to take the vaccine if not done already. In addition, I charge you to help in sensitizing members of the host communities about preventive measures, including the need to accept the vaccines.”

He commended the Federal government for providing the enablement for the take-off of Corps Members’ enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme under a comprehensive initiative known as NYSC Group Individual Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP) and enjoined all Corps members to take full advantage of this arrangement by registering under Health Care Providers in their service locations, and always report promptly for medical attention in the event of ill health