The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has hinted on its plans to partner financial institutions, particularly deposit money banks (DMBs) in the country to support corps members with start-up loans as a way of encouraging them in entrepreneurship endeavours.
The Director-General of NYSC scheme, Brig-Gen. Mohammad Fadah, made this disclosure on Tuesday during the closing of the orientation course for 2022 Batch ‘B’, Stream Two corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikot Itie Udung, in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Director General, who was represented by State Coordinator, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwe, at the event, expressed optimism that the effort would boost the corps members’ self-reliance and encourage them to contribute to the current drives by the government to sustain Nigeria’s economic growth.
Fadah lauded the corps members for their commitment to the entrepreneurial training conducted in camp under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and advised them to consolidate on the skills acquired by availing themselves of post-camp training opportunities in order to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
He said: “On our part, we are liaising with financial institutions and other stakeholders with a view to providing start-up loans to enable you to actualise your business dreams.
“I wish to assure you that management will continue to explore avenues for optimising the impact of the programme”, Fadah added.
While warning the corps members to eschew of acts of using social media to promote hatred or disunity in the country, he advised them to rather use the platforms to promote peace, and prosperity of the nation.
The Director General also charged them to be security conscious at all times even as he appealed to employers to accept the corps members posted to their organization and make the necessary provisions for their welfare
Fadah also appealed to other stakeholders in the political economy, including state, local government authorities and traditional rulers to give necessary encouragement and support to the corps members in their strive to add value to national development initiatives.
