The National Youth Service Corp on Tuesday disclosed that it has disbursed the sum of N1.5 billion for funding of corps members’ businesses through its Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund, in partnership with the Bank of Industry.
Under this fund, Yusha’u Ahmed, director general of the scheme explained that each corp member can access up to N3 million by writing bankable business proposals. He said this during a media parley with journalists and editors, to Mark the 50th anniversary of teh scheme in Abuja.
He lauded the Nigerian media for their role in the growth of the Scheme, which he said has aided effectiveness and transparency in the organisation.
The director general who said the Scheme has has made invaluable contribution to the development of Nigeria which has made it become a household name in the country.
However, he pinpointed some of the challenges to include; “Paucity of funds, inadequate facilities in many Orientation Camps in the face of the yearly increase in the population of Corps participants, rejection of Corps Members by some employers, lack of Transit Lodges for Corps Members in many States,” amongst others.
In the area of security, he said the scheme is tightening collaboration with security agencies to ensure safety of corps members.
“No doubt, NYSC has lived up to its Mission Statement of being the leading light of youth in organizations Africa.
“I wish to use this forum to pay tribute to General Yakubu Gowon for bequeathing to Nigeria, this enduring platform for the promotion of national unity, integration and development,” he said.
Earlier, the First Lady Aisha Buhari on flagged of a special medical outreach in Jahi area the Federal Capital Territory to promote healthcare among rural dwellers in Abuja, under NYSC’s Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers.
