7th December, 2023
By Fikayo Babalola
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has announced plans to redesign the scope of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to contribute more to the growth of the Nigerian economy.
Olawande explained that the current focus of the NYSC is too narrow and that the program needs to be expanded to include more diverse opportunities for youth development and empowerment.
The minister also emphasized the importance of aligning the program’s goals with those of the country’s national development plan.
During a recent visit to 2023 Batch C Stream 2 Corp members to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, pledged to make changes to the NYSC program in order to better serve Nigeria’s youth population.
The minister also emphasized the importance of corps members becoming involved in the local communities where they are posted and advised them to familiarize themselves with the local governance structures.
“As youths, this is our time to think; the President has given us the platform; it is now left for us to make use of the platform.
“Youths should take part and change the narrative; as corps members, you should take the skills acquisition programs with seriousness to acquire skills to better your lives,” he said.
Earlier, the coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Niger State, Abdulwahab Olayinka, recently revealed that a total of 1,912 corps members were registered for the camp in the state.
This number included both Niger State residents and those who were transferred from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Olayinka also highlighted the numerous challenges facing the camp, including inadequate accommodation, poor facilities, a deteriorating perimeter fence, a lack of proper transportation, water infrastructure, and poor condition of the ambulance.
She added that the camp is also struggling with inadequate toilet and bathroom facilities, lack of a reliable vehicle, and a shortage of water supply to meet the growing demand.
According to Olayinka, these additional challenges were also hampering the camp’s operations and impacting the corps members’ well-being.
She stressed the urgent need for the authorities to address these issues to improve the situation.