By Stella Odueme
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to synergize with the NYSC Foundation in engaging Nigerian youth. He said the collaboration aims to deter young people from engaging in negative behaviors by providing them with meaningful opportunities and support.
The Minister made this disclosure when he received the Management of the NYSC foundation, led by the Executive Secretary, Barr. Ventim Bako who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
“If we can have foundation in the 774 local government areas in Nigeria, it will go a long way in engaging Youth with the aim of deterring them from ill behaviour”.
“We cannot drive all these alone. As a result of this, we are partnering with your foundation to engage our Youth in the areas of Agriculture, Arts and Crafts, ICT, etc. In order to make this achievable, we have to draw closer to each other to engage them”, the Minister stressed in a statement by Omolara Esan
Director of Information & Public Relations.
He expressed his willingness to contribute to the betterment of the Youth, saying that they will be the ones the country will be looking up to in the future.
Olawande who expressed his gratitude to God, used the medium to inform that it was this same day, the 17th September, 2024 that he was appointed as a Minister by President Bola Tinubu. He promised to serve passionately so that by the time he leaves the office as a Minister, his works will speak for him.
He further stated that the bill on the establishment of “NYSC Trust Fund”
has passed through the first reading, awaiting second reading at the red Chamber.
In his response, the Foundation’s Executive Secretary Barr. Ventim Bako explained that NYSC Foundation as an alumni and umbrella body that unifies all ex-corps members and serving corps members would appreciate good and robust partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to build capacity and encourage the teeming Youth to develop entrepreneurial skills for their self reliance as a building block for national development.
“We wish to commend the Federal Government for the continuous support and funding of the NYSC Scheme”, he concluded.
In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya stated that the ministry will do everything to collaborate with any organisation for the betterment of the Youth of this country as the mandate of the ministry implies.
