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By Tracy Moses
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Akinyemi Nafiu, has called on outgoing corps members to leverage the skills they acquired during the service year to launch their own businesses rather than chasing after white collar jobs.
Speaking in Bauchi at the certificate distribution ceremony for the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 corps members, the NYSC boss, represented by the Bauchi State Coordinator, Mr. Kufre Umoren, emphasized the value of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme in fostering self-reliance among Nigerian youths.
Brigadier General Nafiu noted that despite prevailing economic hardships, Nigeria remains a land full of untapped opportunities. He urged the corps members to be hopeful and proactive as they take their next steps beyond national service.
“Do not lose faith in this country because of current economic challenges,” he advised. “Nigeria is a land of vast opportunities. Every region of this country has some form of natural resource or economic advantage. If you harness these, you can build something meaningful.”
He further reminded them of the resilience and ingenuity of Nigerian youths, urging them to take responsibility for their future rather than depending on their families.
“This is not the time to return to your parents’ homes and become a burden. It is time to think about how to support them instead. You must start making critical decisions that will define your next phase in life,” he said.
The NYSC DG also encouraged the graduates to show appreciation to their parents, guardians, and sponsors for their sacrifices, and to take pride in their own service, particularly those who made a positive impact during their postings.
“For those who actively participated in the SAED programme, this is the time to implement what you learned. The world has changed. This is not an era to be idle. You must look inward and consider what value you can offer yourself and the country,” Nafiu added.
A total of 1,054 corps members, comprising 584 males and 467 females, successfully completed their service year and received their certificates in Bauchi State.