The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme has always been at the forefront in creating wealth for youths especially corps members, Ondo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Dotun Owanikin, has said.
Owanikin made this remark during the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Inter-Zonal competition held at Sunbeth Hotel and Resort, Akure.
The commissioner expressed optimism that Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme would promote human capacity development and empowerment, adding that when properly harnessed would guarantee better economy in the foreseeable future.
“Let me appreciate the NYSC for organising this laudable programme and Bank of Industry for sponsoring same. This competition is aimed at encouraging our youths towards human capacity development and empowerment through entrepreneurship and skill acquisition.
“The ground to promote entrepreneurship in our society is steady and gradually improving. I strongly believe that in no distant future other states and the nation at large will reap bountifully a better economy.”
He charged the youths to be proactive in acquiring vocational skills which would avail them the opportunities during the industrial revolution that would make them employers of labour as in developed economies.
The commissioner who was represented by the Director, Youth Matters in the Ministry, Mr. Lekan Oluborode, implored Bank of Industry to make loans available and accessible to youths who are skillful to start bankable businesses that would make them self-reliant.
In her welcome address, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, said that NYSC Ondo State will continue to create level playing ground for corps members to showcase their creativity.
The State Coordinator expressed the belief that the maiden edition of the Inter-Zonal competition would be used as a litmus test and preparatory ground to select those that would represent the state at the national competition coming very soon.
The coordinator who was represented by the Assistant Director/Head, Human Resource Management, Mr. Olawuyi Lasisi, charged the participants to display true spirit of sportsmanship and be original in their presentation.
The Assistant Director/Head, Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED, programme, Mrs. Itohan Ehimwenma, reiterated the readiness and commitment of the scheme to ensure that all corps members undergo a skill and vocational training throughout the service year.
“Mama SAED” as she is fondly called disclosed that the Inter-Zonal competition was organised to encourage corps members to acquire a skill during the service year, expressing her appreciation to the NYSC Coordinator for the enabling environment she created for SAED to thrive.
It is worthy to note that the competition with the theme ‘Youth Empowerment: a Solution to Nigeria’s Economic Crisis’ was sponsored by the Bank of Industry while the contestants who competed in ICT, Food Processing (cake baking), Bag Making and Fashion Designing were selected from the four zones namely Akure, Ondo, Okitipupa and Akoko respectively.
