By Ezeocha Nzeh and Ada Okafor
The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maj-Gen. Shuaibu lbrahim, has inaugurated a Mega Printing Press owbed by the Corps in Kaduna.
Inaugurating the project, which was conceived almost a decade ago, Ibrahim said “it is a testament of the commitment of NYSC Management to the functionality of the six Mega-Printing Presses, as approved by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service (HoS) of the Federation”.
He expressed appreciation to the HoS for the unwaivering support being offered the Scheme.
Ibrahim added that “the birth of the printing press is a confirmation of one of his administration’s policy thrust, which is centred on reinvigorating the NYSC Ventures.
“It will be a veritable source of revenue with attendant increase in our remittances to the Federal coffers.
“This facility and similar ones that will be sited in other geo-political zones will be open to public patronage, and in addition to handling the printing of publications of the Scheme, thereby cutting down our running costs”.
The DG stated further that the Printing Press would also serve as a training platform for NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) as interested Corps Members would be accorded the opportunity to acquire skills in publication and digital printing.
He charged the managers of the Printing Press to hit the ground and ensure efficient and effective handling of the facility so as to meet the printing and publication needs of all NYSC formations in the North-West Geo-Political Zone and the general public.
“This is a strategic project which must be placed in good stead to compete favourably in the printing market.
“I expect you to be above board in canvassing patronage from individuals and organizations in both the public and private sectors,” Gen. Ibrahim said.
He also directed all the NYSC formations in the North-Western part of the country to ensure patronage of the printing press as it is set to offer a wide range of services in digital printing technology.
He used the forum to also canvass support from well-meaning Nigerians for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund, which will address infrastructural deficit in the Scheme, as well as enhance the training and provision of start-up capital for Corps Members under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the Scheme.
He said this will go a long way in making them self-employed with the multiplier effects of lifting millions of other Nigerians out of poverty.
Ibrahim added that his administration would continue to use the potentials of Corps Members for national development.
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy-Director (Press and Public Relations), Mr Emeka Mgbemena, commended the Director-General for his laudable achievements, including the NYSC radio and television which would be inaugurated soon.
He assured him that the printing press would not be a flash in the pan, but would run profitably as a strategic business unit of the scheme.
