Corps members across Nigeria who have just completed their one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme have been urged not to lose hope in the face of current economic challenges.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, gave the advice on Tuesday during the passing-out ceremony of the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 Corps members in Bauchi State. Nafiu, who was represented by the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Kufre Umoren, encouraged the outgoing members to remain optimistic and take charge of their future.
“I want to encourage you, despite the harsh economic conditions, don’t lose hope in your country,” he said. “You can still turn the situation around because Nigeria is a land of opportunities. Every part of the country has its own mineral resources or economic advantage.”
He urged the Corps members not to return home to rely on their parents but instead think of how to contribute to their families and communities. According to him, this is the time for them to make critical decisions that will shape their futures.
“It’s not time to be lazy or idle,” Nafiu added. “The Nigerian youth are strong, resilient, hardworking, and creative. You must look inward and identify how you can be useful to yourself and the nation.”
The NYSC DG also advised them to appreciate their parents and sponsors for supporting them through school, while also taking pride in the impact they made during their service year.
He particularly called on those who participated in the NYSC’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to put their training into action and embrace entrepreneurship.
In Bauchi State, a total of 1,054 Corps members — 584 males and 470 females — received their certificates of national service during the ceremony.
