By Sulyman Pakoyi

The Ondo State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Omowumi Bakare, has urged Corps members to look beyond paid employment and embrace entrepreneurship as a path to long-term financial independence.

Bakare gave the charge at the NYSC Zonal Office in Akure while addressing the 2024 Batch ‘A’ (Stream II) Corps members ahead of their completion of the mandatory one-year national service.

Speaking on the Job Awareness Creation (JAC) programme, she emphasised the importance of self-reliance, noting that the most successful individuals in business are those who leverage creativity and acquired skills rather than depending solely on white-collar jobs.

She encouraged Corps members to make use of the knowledge gained through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to create jobs and become employers of labour.

Bakare further disclosed that the NYSC, in collaboration with financial institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BOI), and Bank of Agriculture (BOA), has made loans, grants, and other technical support available to assist Corps members in overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.

“The SAED programme has significantly reduced unemployment in our society. The NYSC remains committed to providing an enabling environment for Corps members to achieve their dreams,” she stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Assistant Director of SAED, Pastor (Mrs.) Funmilola Dawodu, said, “You have been trained to be job creators, not job seekers. The knowledge and skills you have acquired through SAED are sufficient to make you self-reliant after service.”

The programme also featured discussions on job preparation strategies, excelling in interviews, and standing out in the competitive job market. Corps members were sensitised on the use of job portals and cautioned against fraudulent job providers.

Motivational speakers at the event emphasised the importance of perseverance and resilience in overcoming societal challenges, urging Corps members to apply their skills and knowledge to build successful careers.