Admin l Wednesday, August 04, 2021
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Director, NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, Mr. Hillary Nasamu has disclosed that the Scheme is committed to the capacity building of corps members serving nationwide.
The Director who was represented by the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani disclosed this on Tuesday when he flagged off the SAED activities for the 2021 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1) orientation course.
Mr. Nasamu expressed concern that sizeable number of young graduates do not possess the practical skills necessary for the available jobs in the Nigerian economy.
“Concern with this troubling situation, and as its contribution to closing the identified gaps, the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development SAED programme building capacity of corps members to gain the required entrepreneurship and hands-on skills to cope with the challenges of unemployment and global socio-economic downturn”.
According to the Director, the mandate of SAED is to contribute meaningfully to the attainment of the SDG (reduction of extreme poverty and hunger), among others.
“The programme is a nationwide initiative targeting the Nigerian graduates mobilised for one year national service. It is designed to be implemented within the framework of the camp (in-camp) and the service year (post-camp)of the corps members”.
He listed the objectives of the programme which is tailored towards assisting corps members to include cultivate the culture of entrepreneurship and income generation practices; building of capacity to see opportunities to create wealth from situations around; identify demand-driven business skills; gather information on funding opportunities and gain technical assistance in the job search.
“Accordingly, you will find opportunities to be economically active as entrepreneurs or be self-employed in your own business/profession. Therefore, take time to explore this business opportunities rather than seeking elusive paid employment” he said.
Mr. Nasamu disclosed that NYSC SAED has created opportunities for financing of corps members’ business proposals through many channels such as the YouthEntrepreneurship Development (YEDP), in which Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with commercial banks mobilises resources for corps members’ business financing.
The NYSC Director also added that NYSC has made arrangements with some organisations to provide mentoring/apprenticeship in their facilities where the corps members can also access funding opportunities.
“My dear corps members, you have potentials in untapped human capital, energy, resourcefulness, creativity and adaptive ability. Participation in this programme is a rare privilege for you to give these positive attributes full expression in order to blossom and find fulfillment” he concluded.
In her opening remarks, the Assistant Director/Head, SAED, Mrs. Itohan Ehimwenma said that SAED programme is geared towards sensitisation and mobilisation for corps members for enrolment into acquiring skill and developing entrepreneurs.
“You will be exposed to viable commercial skills in the areas of Agro-allied, Food Processing, Culture & Tourism, Cosmetology, Construction, Power & Energy, ICT amongst others”.
She urged the corps members to take the SAED training seriously and become wealth creators which can be attained through creativity and mastery.
“The entrepreneur’s stimulant is success. Infuse your life with action and don’t wait for things to happen, make your own future and the best way to predict the future is to invent it. Be your own boss and become your own Chief Encouraging Officer (CEO)” she concluded.
