NYSC revamps farm settlements to boost food security – DG

The Director-General, National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Sule Kazaure, on Wednesday said the scheme had revamped its farm settlements in all the six geo-political zones to boost food production.

Kazaure made the disclosure while addressing the 2,256 corps members posted to the state under the 2017 Batch ”A” Stream 1 at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Wamakko.

He was represented by Mrs Adetoun Makinde, the Director, Human Resources Management Department.

Kazaure had on May 29 in Sagamu, Ogun, said that the scheme would soon start posting corps members to the farms in line with the agricultural development programme of the NYSC.

He said,” The NYSC scheme has adopted the Federal Government’s policy on food security and self-sufficiency.

”This is by revamping all NYSC farm settlements in the six geo-political zones, while those in the remaining states will follow suit in due course.

”Facilities will be provided for the training of corps members who are interested in farming and agricultural value chain.”

The NYSC director-general said that the management had shown tremendous concern for the future of the corps members by putting in place Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.

Kazaure said that the action was in response to the problem of graduate unemployment, which had resulted in many Nigerian youths roaming about the streets in search of the non-existent white collar jobs.

”After NYSC, What Next? Your future is indeed in your hands and you more than anyone else, will determine what you will become.

”You must be determined to build upon the skills you have acquired during the orientation,’’ he said.

Kazaure also advised the corps members to execute community development projects that would impact positively on the lives of their host communities.

The director-general also warned the corps members against engaging in any act capable of bringing the good names of their families and the scheme into disrepute.

Kazaure urged them to be security conscious, respect the culture of their host communities and avoid unauthorised journeys outside the state.

The director-general, while commending the state government for providing a befitting orientation camp, called for its renovation and provision of feeding supplement by the state government.

Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Musa Abubakar, said that all corps members posted to the state had been fully immunised against cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM).

Also in Kabba, Kogi, Kazaure urged the corps members to shun all forms of corruption by assisting the Federal Government in its fight against the menace.

Represented by Mr Tijani Ahmed, the Director, Legal Unit, NYSC National Directorate, Abuja, said that corps members should put in their best by partnering with the government in fighting corruption.

“As builders and future leaders, I urge you to be patient, self-discipline and continue the good work of being builders and shun any form of criminality and fraudulent act.

“I urge you also to add value to your lives through the four cardinal programmes of the NYSC, especially its skills acquisition programmes to be self-reliant and be good ambassadors of your parents, communities and the nation at large.

“I assure you that your welfare will be our first priority,” he said.

Kazaure advised them to live in harmony and accept the culture and tradition of their host communities.