The NYSC Director of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, Mr. Kehinde Aremu-Cole, has assured corps members that embracing the SAED initiative will yield benefits far beyond their expectations.
This statement was delivered during the flag-off ceremony for the 2024 Batch ‘C’ (Stream 1) orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State. Represented by the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi Bakare, Aremu-Cole highlighted the persistent challenge of graduate unemployment due to a lack of practical skills in Nigeria’s job market.
“Since March 2012, the NYSC SAED programme has been equipping corps members with entrepreneurial and practical skills to tackle unemployment and navigate the global economic challenges,” he stated.
The programme aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing poverty and hunger. It is structured to integrate skills acquisition both during the orientation camp (in-camp) and throughout the service year (post-camp).
Aremu-Cole encouraged corps members to embrace these opportunities, emphasizing self-reliance through entrepreneurship over the pursuit of scarce paid employment. He outlined 11 business skill options available under SAED and noted that financing opportunities exist through platforms like the NYSC/Bank of Industry Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) and Access Bank’s business proposal competition.
In her remarks, the Assistant Director and Head of SAED, Pastor (Mrs.) Jennifer Funmilola Dawodu, urged corps members to invest their time and resources in skills that guarantee sustainability beyond their service year. She commended the State Coordinator and trainers for their unwavering commitment to empowering Nigerian youths.
The event also featured testimonies from serving and ex-corps members who shared their success stories and demonstrated skills acquired through the SAED programme.
The programme, flagged off by Mrs. Bakare, involves 28 hours of intensive training over nine days, aimed at equipping corps members with practical, hands-on skills.
