Abakaliki – Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the state to ensure they developed entrepreneurial skills during their stay in the state.
Umahi made the call at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Afikpo, during the swearing-in of the 2019 batch ‘C’ stream 2 corps members deployed to the state, noting that it would help them to be self-sustaining.
The governor urged the newly-inducted corps members to take their 10-day intensive training on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development training seriously.
“The NYSC has introduced a number of developmental programmes to galvanise the innovative and creative potential of the corps members during the service year.
“The entrepreneurship skills are meant to equip you to become self sustaining during and after your service year.
“I therefore urge you to take the training seriously because the present economic paradigm in the country favours those who have developed self-sustaining skills,’’ he said.
Umahi commended the Federal Government (FG) for focusing the scheme towards the vision of its founding fathers.
“This is through ensuring that corps members contribute immensely to the growth and development of our country, promoting national unity and integration.
“The NYSC has grown to be an effective vehicle for national unity and integration with focus on youth mobilisation for the nation’s development,’’ he said.
Mrs Ann Ibe, the state NYSC Coordinator, said that a total of 998 prospective corps members deployed to the state had reported and been duly registered.
“Out of the number registered, 548 are male while 450 are female and they come from various states of the federation with different socio- economic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
“This portrays the beauty and strength of the nation’s unity in diversity and the corps members interaction in camp is hoped to lay the foundation of the much envisaged unity,’’ she said.
She said that corps members would be instilled with the culture and discipline of the service and also have their moral tone raised through military drills and education on topical nationalistic issues.
“To achieve this, camp life is regimented with course contents which include: para-military drills, meditation, physical training, social and cultural activities, lectures, language study among others.
“I have no doubt that this batch of corps members will key into the excellent performances of their predecessors and even strive to surpass their achievements,’’she said.
(NAN)