Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has said that the State Government will commit N5 billion for the construction of the Nation Youth Service Corps (NYSC) State Permanent Orientation Camp.
Farmer Umaru Bago announced this when he declared open the 2024 NYSC Orientation Course for Batch B, Stream one at the NYSC Temporary Camp in Paiko.
He explained that the Permanent Camp would be a more befitting accommodation for Corps Members during their Orientation period.
The farmer Governor stated that in the interim, more toilets will be built, and five boreholes will also be provided at the NYSC Camp in Paiko.
He also announced the gift of N200,000 to all the Corps Members under Batch B Stream one posted to the State as bonus, to make their stay a comfortable one in addition to 20 cows and a trailer load of Rice.
Farmer Governor Umaru Bago also promised to give automatic employment to Corps Members in medical field upon the completion of their service.
While reassuring that the State Government will ensure the security and well-being of the Corps members, the farmer Governor used the medium to call on them to key into his agricultural revolution in the State, adding that the State Government will support anyone who is willing to engage in farming through the Niger foods limited.
He described agriculture as a rich venture that brings prosperity, which is why the State Government is investing heavily in the sector.
Minister for Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim disclosed that the Federal Government has announced a groundbreaking initiative to empower at least 5,000 NYSC members with N10m each for entrepreneurial ventures upon completion of their service year.
Dr. Bio Ibrahim also said the Ministry is launching the National Youth Skills Programme (NYSP) this month with the aim of training over one million young Nigerians across diverse fields such as technology, agriculture, and many other fields as it will offer them remarkable opportunity to prepare them for a successful career.
She said the Federal Government is committed to introducing significant reforms designed to make the NYSC experience a period of national service and avenue to gain valuable skills and knowledge.
The Minister further revealed that the restructured Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) will start accepting applications this month following dedicated efforts to simplify the application process, to enable more young entrepreneurs to access financial support for their innovative ideas.
Secretary to the State Government and Chairman Niger State NYSC Governing Board, Alh. Abubakar Usman, in his remarks, called on the Corps members to be patriotic, disciplined and cautious of the cultures and traditions of their host Communities as they embark on their crucial role of Nation-building as well as use the NYSC platform to generate positive ideas for development.
The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Olayinka Abdulwahab commended the tireless efforts of Farmer Governor Umaru Bago in supporting the Scheme in the State.
She stated that NYSC in the State has already keyed into his green economy project by sending 100 corps members to serve with Niger Foods.
She used the forum to encourage the corps members to endeavour to engage in the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme as it provides a unique opportunity for them to identify their strengths to make them self-reliant.
A total of 1,301 Corps members were posted to the State under the 2024 NYSC batch B stream One Orientation Course.
The Chief Judge of Niger State who was Justice Halima AbdulMalik who was represented by Justice Mariya Ismail administered the oath of allegiance on the Corps members.
