Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday urged corps members to pay serious attention to the entrepreneurial training initiated by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) management to equip themselves for self-employment.
Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, made call at swearing-in programme of the 2016 Batch ‘A’ Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Camp in Lagos.
He said that the entrepreneurial programme was necessary as unemployment had become an issue, leading young people to crime.
“The growing number of unemployed youths in the country has called for more practical solutions to ease the situation.
“I implore you to take the entrepreneurial training serious to help you become self-reliant and create employment opportunities, instead of searching for scarcely available jobs.
“That way, an army of entrepreneurs that will drive the economy will be raised, “he said.
Ambode said his administration was committed to providing the enabling environment for young people to express and optimise their capacity to support the national change agenda.
According to him, the key elements of the change agenda include the fight against corruption and insecurity, job creation and revamping the economy via diversification and infrastructural development.
The governor also urged the corps members to learn security tips, noting that the current security challenge in the country called for vigilance and committed efforts of all citizens.
He commended the management of NYSC for their steadfast dedication and commitment to the lofty ideals of national service.
In his remarks, Mr Cyril Akhanemhe, NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, said the service year was initiated to instil leadership qualities in corps members.
He said such qualities include discipline, perseverance, loyalty, diligence, determination, courage, integrity, efficiency and team work.
Akhanemhe urged the corps members to comply with various instructions from constituted authority and to be fully involved in skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training, to add value to themselves.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 2, 470 corps members comprising 730 male and 1, 740 female were registered at the Lagos State NYSC camp for Batch ‘A’ stream II service year.
NAN
