The former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon has called for the Presidential Assent of the proposed National Youth Service Corps NYSC Trust Fund, saying this would make possible a turnaround of events for the Scheme.
Gowon who is the founding father of the Scheme made the call during the commissioning of the NYSC ICT Centre to mark the 50th anniversary in Abuja on Wednesday, adding that this assent would improve training facilities and provide of start-up capital for Corps members.
He said the introduction of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme into the Orientation Course consent of the NYSC since 2012 has been a blessing to the country, especially the acquisition of skill by a large Corps members that passed through the scheme.
The former Head of State stressed that the SAED Programme has created lots of job opportunities for many of the youths who are now business owners in different locations and employers of labour, while appealed to youths to pay serious attention to vocational training and skill acquisition.
General Gowon hailed the digitalization of NYSC mobilisation process that started since 2014, saying it’s another attestation to the improvement of the operations, which made the registration of prospective Corps members from any part of the globe a seamless exercise.
The NYSC founding father urged all Nigerians, Corporate Organization, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government, Religious Organization and other stakeholders to provide every necessary support for the NYSC, to enable it consolidate on the successes recorded in the fifty years.
Gowon who said the monthly clearance for Corps members and other numerous ICT related activities on NYSC NIS platform are worthy of commendable, making no doubt that this ultra-modern ICT centre that was commissioned would be a major boost in this regard.
He also called on respective State Governments to intensify efforts on setting up and upgrading of the facilities in their Orientation camps so as to provide conducive environment that would enhance hitch-free training for corps members during their three weeks camp perriod.
The former Head of State saluted the doggedness of the corps members and congratulated the entire NYSC family on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Scheme while looking forward to more years of impactful contributions to the Nation in all areas of human endeavour.
In his address, the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed said the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the 21st century cannot be over emphasized.
He added that most organisations and corporate entities have been transiting their processes and procedures from analogue to digital platform to promote delivery of excellence, fast, efficient, world class services with minimal errors and less human interference.
The DG pointed that the NYSC has no reason not to lead the way, saying the vision of the Scheme is to become the leading light of youth organizations in Africa.
General Ahmed said, “This is premised on the fact that the youth, a vibrant segment of the national demography under the management of the Scheme has over the years been championing the use of ICT in bringing about a more efficient society, through their various ICT based and other services to the fatherland.
He recalled how over the years, the operations of NYSC have become heavily challenged with tons of data in its daily activities owing to the increasing number of Corps members.
The DG said it took the foresight of Management to commence this beautiful edifice bringing the ICT Department back to this place in a more befitting working environment for better service delivery.
General Ahmed said, “But introduction of ICT in its operations has become inevitable and an essential tool for the smooth running of all areas of Corps administration”.
NYSC leadership appreciated the federal government for approving the project and releasing the funds for its execution. “I thank the contractor for doing a very good job. It has been months of hardwork and to God be the glory, the NYSC ICT building is now completed with state-of-art facilities and ready for commissioning”.
The former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon commissioned the ICT centre in Abuja alongside the NYSC DG, General Ahmed with other dignitaries and past Directors General of the Scheme.