The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yushau Dogara Ahmed has advised Corps Members to acquire vocational skills through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme in order to become self-reliant.
He said the acquisition of skills would also enable them to create jobs for others instead of searching for the unavailable salary jobs.
The Director General stated this while addressing the 2023 Batch 'C' Stream One Corps Members in Bauchi and Plateau State Orientation Camps.
He said the Scheme has partnered several institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Access Bank, Unity Bank, NNPC Foundation, NYSC Foundation and they have been giving soft loans without interest to Corps Members to finance their businesses.
"Many of your predecessors that embraced skill acquisition during the service year are now business owners in different states of the federation.
I advise you not to waste this golden opportunity but utilize it to develop yourselves and prepare for the future", the DG said.
General Ahmed also urged the Corps Members to avoid drugs, hooliganism and cybercrime but serve their fatherland as patriotic youths.
He equally encouraged them to adhere strictly to the officially approved NYSC dress code, adding that improper dressing attracts sanctions.
The NYSC Bauchi State Coordinator, Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu disclosed that a total of 1,347 Corps Members comprising 735 males and 612 females were registered in camp.
Similarly, the NYSC Plateau State Coordinator, Mrs Ikupolati Oluwatosin said 1,376 Corps Members comprising 678 males 698 females have been registered in camp.
She described them to be of good behaviour and law-abiding since their arrival in camp.
From the Orientation Camp activities, the Corps Members are beginning to see themselves as one indivisible entity of a united Nigeria irrespective of their tribal and religious affiliations.
The Director General was accompanied on the visits by the Director, Special Duties, Alhaji Musa Abubakar, Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa and Acting Director, North-East Area Office, Alhaji lbrahim Abubakar.