NYSC Trust Fund Bill, Good Pedestal To Reinvigorate Skill Acquisition – Youth Minister

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, has described the passage of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund Bill by the National Assembly, as a pedestal to enhance skill acquisition, training and generally empower graduates who take part in the national youth service scheme.

The minister made this known in a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Maryam Umar Yusuf, obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.

According to the Minister, the NYSC Trust Fund Bill is a great milestone achievement for which everyone who took part in its actualization deserves a great deal of commendation.

Olawande who applauded NASS over the passage of the bill, also noted the painstaking legislative process that culminated in the eventual passage of the bill since it was first presented over two years ago.

Noting that the lawmakers have given a significant boost to the efforts to enhance skill acquisition, he said, “It is refreshing and heartwarming to receive the news of the passage of this important Bill. I congratulate the NYSC family in particular and extend a special appreciation to the sponsor of the Bill, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, for his dogged commitment. Now, we have a good pedestal upon which to stand in our efforts to improve camp facilities, enhance the welfare of corps members and staff of the scheme; as well as reinvigorate the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative of the NYSC,” the Minister said.

Olawande called on stakeholders in the youth development sector to continue to partner with the youth ministry to evolve ingenious ways to address the challenges of unemployment and the skill gap bedeviling the youths, stating that the NYSC trust fund bill could be the beginning of other lofty initiatives aimed at harnessing resources for holistic youth empowerment.