CSO advocates for passage of NYSC fund bill to create job employment

A Civil Society group operating under the umbrella of “Nigeria First”, has advocated for the passage of NYSC Trust Fund Bill which is currently before the National Assembly, that the bill, if passed into law, would create job opportunity for the teaming youths in the country.

Convener of Nigeria First, Comrade Richard Augustine speaking at a 2-day Symposium, themed: “Operationalizing the NYSC Trust Fund Bill as victory for Nigeria”, he said, the bill would allow equal access to social benefits.

Comrade Augustine said the country need a model that can trigger skilled youths into productive enterpreneurs, which added would reduce poverty among the teeming populace.

Comrade Augustine said: “I want to stand on the established protocol very expressly welcome everyone for coming to this yet another intellectual discussion on social inclusion and poverty reduction using the NYSC Trust Fund.

“It is about having an inclusive society that is just, stable, tolerant and safe; a society where all members have equal opportunities, equal access to social benefits and equal rights to determine the set and pattern of social institutions that govern their social relations.

“The nation needs to build an economic model where business ideas will not be killed but nurtured into business empires; where men and women of skills shall realize their dreams and potentials.

“The youths have to be encouraged to strive collectively to end poverty, hunger and deprivation in the land using instruments such as the planned Youth Fund.

“NYSC Trust Fund, on its final stage of becoming an Act, it is actually meant to address inclusive growth in Nigeria and this fact was well canvassed during the public hearing on the Bill held on Thursday, February 24, 2021.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had at a public hearing on the bill at the National Assembly, told the participants
that the Bill sought to address the infrastructural deficit in the orientation camps, ensure adequate provision of other operational logistics, as well as address the problem of graduate unemployment in the country.

Also, President Muhammadu Buhari
promised the Nigerian youths of leaving a legacy behind which he was always ready to append his signature on the bill if brought to his table.

“Consequently, the appreciation goes to the leadership of the National Assembly for showing commitment and proving to be on the side of the Nigerian people.

“Our appeal also goes to all friends of the scheme, including influential public figures, civil society organizations, students’ bodies, members of the academia and media practitioners, to continue the clamour as the bill is before the Senate for conclusion and make it an Act backed by law.

“Now that the bill is before the Senate at its last stage, the lawmakers should put their seal on the revolutionary legislation.

“There is no doubt that when the NYSC Trust Fund becomes operational, the number of corps entrepreneurs will increase drastically, and they will in turn help to provide jobs for millions of other youths of the country.

“This will equally help to reduce the issue of security challenges faced in the country.It is instructive to note that majority of the lawmakers are products of the scheme as most of them are graduates of tertiary institutions who have participated in the scheme.

A resource speaker, Dr. Fabian Nyiakula emphasised that when the bill is passed it has capacity to transform lives of Nigerians and not only the youths.

Dr. Nyiakula maintained that the youth restiveness is as a result of idleness due to the fact that many youths after their NYSC exercise, remain idle.

He pointed out that NYSC fund when passed into law, it will bring a new face in Nigeria and reduce crimes committed be some youths.

Majeed Dahiiru threw his weight of knowledge behind the bill of creating NYSC trust fund scheme, stating that it will enable NYSC to train them during their one year service which will help them to create job after their service.