Academy To Train NYSC Members On Self Defence

Martial Arts and Self-defence Academy (MASDA), is to train future NYSC members on the art of self-defence, Mr. Richard Uboh-Ekon, the Combatant-General of the Academy said on Sunday.

Uboh-Ekon told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the training was meant to equip the youths on how to defend themselves in times of crisis.

He said the academy was discussing the details of the training with the management of NYSC.

“Our men are on ground ready to commence the defensive training for corps members to enable them to defend and protect themselves during crisis.”

Uboh-Ekon commended the former NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, for his favourable disposition toward the project.

He said that the academy, located in Karu, Nasarawa State, had trained more than 700 youths, aged 20 to 32, who would be deployed to different NYSC orientation camps to help in training corps members.

Uboh-Ekon said corps members would be trained in the art of taekwondo, judo, boxing, wrestling, among others and explained that the training would neither be sports nor military in nature.

Uboh-Ekon said the orgainsation was not being sponsored by an individual or group.

“The MASDA is not sponsored by any individual or corporate body but the sole effort of good spirited Nigerians, who are very strong in their desire to see a peaceful, violence free and transformed Nigeria,” he said.

Uboh-Ekon said MASDA came into being on June 16 as a result of the post-election violence in some parts of Northern Nigeria during which some NYSC members were killed.