In line with the vision of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to become the leading light of youth organisations in Africa, the Scheme has unveiled a state-of-the-art Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre.
The commissioning ceremony held on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
Director General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Yushu’a Ahmed in his remarks averred that, the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the 21st century could not be over emphasized.
Brig. Gen. Yushu’a Ahmed added that,
most organisations and corporate entities had 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.
He further informed that the vision of the Scheme was to become the leading light of youth organizations in Africa.
This, he said, was 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.
The DG said, the NYSC programme has since become an integral part of Nigeria’s national development strategy, providing a platform for the ICT savvy graduate youths to gain practical work experience, contribute to the development of their host communities, and promote understanding and cooperation among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
He said, 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, adding, that the introduction of ICT in its operations has become inevitable and an essential tool for the smooth running of all areas of Corps administration.
He therefore, thanked the federal government for approving the project and releasing the funds for its execution.
Also speaking, the former Head of State,
General Dr. Yakubu Gowon said, the introduction of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED)
Programme into the Orientation Course content of the NYSC since 2012 has been a blessing to the country, most especially the acquisition of skill by a large number of Corps Members that passed through the Scheme.
General Gowon said, NYSC SAED programme has created lots of job opportunities for many youths who are now business owners in different locations and also employers of labour.
He therefore, appealed to the youths to pay serious attention to vocational training and skill acquisition as it was the best avenue to become financially independent instead of searching for the non-available pay jobs. – White
colour jobs.
Gowon said, the digitization of the NYSC Mobilisation process since 2014 was another attestation to the improvement of the scheme operations, which has made the registration of prospective Corps Members from any part of the globe a seamless exercise.
“The monthly clearance for Corps Members and other numerous ICT related activities on the NYSC NIS platform are worthy of commendation. I have no doubt that this ultra-modern ICT Centre that will be commissioned today would be a major boost in this regard”, he added.
The former Head of State appealed to all Nigerians, Corporate Organisations, Ministries. Departments and Agencies of Government, Philanthropists, Religious Organisations, and other stakeholders to provide every necessary support for the National Youth Service Corps, to enable it consolidate on the successes recorded in the last fifty years.
He equally called on respective State Governments to intensify efforts on setting up and upgrading the facilities in their Orientation Camps so as to provide conducive environment that would enhance hitch-free training of Corps Members during their three weeks Orientation period.
Highlight of the event also included Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) competition/ exhibition of corps members’ innovation and invention.
