By Okosun Dennis
The Lagos State Coordinator National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Edwin Megwa on Tuesday stated that the Nigerian military has continued to remain the backbone of NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
He said this during a courtesy visit on the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu in his office at the 81 Division Headquarters in Lagos.
Congratulating the GOC on his recent appointment, he also commiserated with the Division on the demise of former GOC, Maj Gen Olubunmi Irefin.
Mr Edwin further stated that his visit to the GOC was like a homecoming as he came to visit one of the most important stakeholders of NYSC.
He gave credence to the military for the services they have been rendering to the NYSC since the inception of the scheme, saying that if not for the military, the NYSC scheme would not be standing today.
He added that the three weeks orientation training in the camp is top-notch owing to the significant role it has played in positively shaping the corps members as it helped a lot of them build their self-esteem.
The NYSC State Coordinator further revealed that Lagos unlike other States is considered very safe and this has been one of the factors responsible for the huge number of corps members in the State.
He said he is already working round the clock to ensure that these huge human capital resources contribute to national development by initiating the Skill Acquisition Programme in the camp.
Such skill acquisition programme includes Soap making, cake baking, photography, face masks production and hand sanitisers among others. Edwin pointed out that the introduction of the spirit of entrepreneurship in the camp has helped a lot of corps members to have something to hold on to after the one-year mandatory service.
Responding, Maj. Gen. Fejokwu said that the relationship between the military and NYSC would continue to exist, stressing that it is the responsibility of the military that the scheme does not die.
Noting that he was available to render any assistance, advised the State Coordinator to tap into the Central Bank of Nigeria Entrepreneur Funding Scheme to assist corps members who have benefited from the skill acquisition programme in the camp so that they can practice what they have learnt and also contribute to national development.
While urging the corp members to come together as a group to form ideas that can create employment for them rather than depending on organizations and companies for job opportunities as ideas now rule the world, Gen Fejokwu further advised the corps members not to lose sight of the essence of the NYSC scheme as it is meant to sharpen their instincts and cultivate discipline in them.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/military-a-backbone-of-nysc-lagos-state-coordinator/
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