By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim,  has again sought the support of Nigerians towards the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund.

General Ibrahim, an Associate Professor and Fellow Historical Society of Nigeria while declaring open the 2022 Batch ‘A’ (Stream 1) orientation course in Ondo State, said that the establishment of the Fund will enhance the smooth operation of the Scheme, especially in addressing the challenge of infrastructure at orientation camps.

The Director General, who was represented by the  State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani asserted that the passage into law and subsequent accent by President Muhammadu Buhari would equally boost the skills and entrepreneurship development programme aimed at empowering the Corps Members for self employment and wealth creation.

The eighteenth Chief Executive Officer of the Scheme appreciated the leadership and members of the House of Representatives for the success recorded so far in the legislative processes on the Bill for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund.

“I also wish to thank Nigerians for the continuous show of support for the proposed Trust Fund, especially as overwhelmingly demonstrated during the public hearing conducted by the House Committee on Youth on the matter. I wish to once again appeal to the appropriate authorities to provide necessary enablement for the actualisation of the Fund.”

The NYSC boss used the low key event to advise the corps members to avoid using social media for spreading fake news but for the promotion of national unity, integration and development.

Ibrahim noted that the orientation course, being the first cardinal programmes of the NYSC is designed to equip the members of the service corps with the requisite knowledge for leadership coaching, paramilitary drills and other physical trainings as well as sensitisation on topical national issues among others.

According to the one time Registrar, Military University, Biu in Borno state, orientation course is a ‘platform for kick-starting various activities that will enable them realise their potentials, and attain individual feats both within and beyond the period of service and therefore enjoined them to avail themselves of this once-in-a-life-time opportunity by participating actively in all the camp activities’.

On Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the Director General encouraged the corps participants to avail themselves of opportunities for self employment offered the programme through by choosing from any of the skill areas they have interest in and passion for.

The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Honourable Justice Williams Akintoroye who was represented by Honourable Justice John Olajide Abe administered the Oath of Allegiance on prospective corps members who registered in the state.