The Lagos State Coordinator National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Mr Edwin Megwa during a courtesy visit on the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Major General Lawrence Fejokwu has disclosed that the Nigerian military remains the backbone of NYSC since its establishment in 1973.
Mr Edwin on his visit congratulated the GOC on his recent appointment and in similar vein commiserate on the demise of former GOC.
He stated that his visit to the GOC is home coming as he came to visit one of the most important stake holders of NYSC. He gave credence to the services the military has 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 3 weeks orientation training in the camp has always played a significant role 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 this huge human capital resources contribute to national development by initiating Skill Acquisition Programme in the camp.
He said the skill acquisition programme include Soap making, cake baking, photography, face masks production and hand sanitizers among others. He 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, the GOC said that the relationship between the military and NYSC will continue to exist, stressing that it is the responsibility of the military that the scheme does not die. He said he is one phone call away for any assistance that would be needed.
He further informed 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.
He urged the corps 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.
Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, advised the corps members not to lose sight of the essence of the NYSC scheme as the scheme is meant to sharpen their instincts and cultivate discipline in them.