By Uji Abdullahi Iliyasu
Abuja
The management of Federal University, Lokoja, has joined the league of eminent Nigerians to congratulate the NYSC Director-General on his elevation to the new rank of Major General in the Nigeran Army.
The Institution’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, who led a delegation from the institution to deliver the congratulatory message to Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim in his office in Abuja today, said the university is delighted to associate with the landmark achievements recorded by the DG since he assumed duty in NYSC.
He canvassed support for the continuity of the NYSC scheme, especially the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme (SAED), adding that the programme had empowered a large number of graduate youths fir self-reliance.
The don, who relived his service year experiences said, “We are proud of what you and your team are doing. NYSC must be protected because it is for the unity of the country.”
In his response, the NYSC General Ibrahim congratulated the vice chancellor on his appointment and also lauded him for the congratulatory visit.
The VC said that NYSC had been interfacing with relevant institutions like the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), among others, to inject more sanity into the mobilisation process of eligible graduates for national service.
General Ibrahim said there was the need to review the school curriculum and introduce Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development as it would expose students to vocational skills before they graduate.
He said the scheme had partnered many institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BoI) Access Bank, Heritage Bank, Leventis Foundation and agricultural institutions like NALDA and ARMTI towards training and empowerment of corps members that have passion for agriculture.
The DG added that efforts are on top gear for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund which will make funds available to corps members to start their businesses as they exit service.
The proposed Trust Fund, he said, would also enable improved maintenance of orientation camp facilities and NYSC Skill Acquisition Centres across the country.
“We urge the Federal University Lokoja and other stakeholders to support us in youth empowerment”, the DG said.
During the visit, the Director-General led the university team on a tour of the NYSC Museum and NYSC Radio Studio, both at the National Directorate Headquarters Abuja.
In a similar development, the Abuja Zonal Head of TAJ Bank, Mellisa Adesina today led a delegation from the bank to congratulate Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim on his recent elevation.
She said the bank is working on a modality to partner NYSC on entrepreneurship training for corps members and also contribute its quota to national development.
General Ibrahim appreciated the bank and promised the scheme’s readiness to improve SAED programme and reduce unemployment in the country.
“We will partner with you”, he said