The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members to acquire skills and create jobs rather than depend on government employment.

Mr Nafiu gave the advice on Wednesday while addressing 2026 Batch B Stream 2 corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area.

He said the government could not employ everyone and challenged corps members to embrace entrepreneurship and self-reliance during their service year.

“It is your duty. Government has given you an opportunity now to grab the opportunity, employ yourself and employ others,” he said.

The NYSC boss advised graduates to learn practical skills regardless of their academic qualifications, stressing that additional trades could provide sustainable income opportunities.

“That you are an engineer does not stop you from learning bead making or how to tie ‘gele’.

“If you like to weave hair, use that to pass time. Instead of sending that money to another person’s economy, keep it in your own economy,” he said.

He also encouraged corps members to explore trading, investment and agriculture, describing them as viable sectors for wealth creation.

Mr Nafiu disclosed that the scheme was developing applications that would assist corps members to participate in trading activities and other economic ventures.

He noted that Nigerians abroad were earning income from local delicacies such as jollof rice and suya, demonstrating the value of innovation.

He said: “Your degree is to open your mind to opportunities. Think out of the box.

“We have a population of over 220 million people. We must eat. People must wear clothes. Key into that and do business.”

The director-general urged corps members to respect the culture of their host communities and remain non-partisan throughout their service year.

He warned against unauthorised travel and night journeys, while advising those with health challenges to declare them for proper medical attention.

On security, Mr Nafiu said Abia remained one of the states where corps members were deployed across all local government areas.

He urged them to report any security threat to camp authorities, particularly during the rainy season.

Mr Nafiu, however, commended the Abia Government for renovating facilities at the orientation camp.

He said: “The last time I came here, the facilities were in a terrible state. Today, phase one of the renovation has been concluded. We are waiting for phase two.”

He revealed that more than 53 doctors and 112 nurses were among corps members currently serving in Abia State.

Mr Nafiu also appealed to residents to accept corps members as their children in order to strengthen national unity and integration.

Earlier, the NYSC coordinator in Abia, Yunusa Tanimu, said 1,739 corps members, comprising 758 males and 981 females, had been registered.

Mr Tanimu said camp activities were progressing smoothly and praised Gov. Alex Otti for infrastructure upgrades at the camp.

He listed the improvements to include hostel renovation, construction of internal roads, installation of solar street lights and provision of a 110KVA generator.

However, he identified challenges, including lack of national grid electricity, a dilapidated clinic, poor kitchen facilities and inadequate camp equipment.

Mr Tanimu appealed for phase two of the renovation project, reconstruction of the clinic and provision of an ambulance.

Mr Nafiu inspected camp facilities and witnessed a cultural display presented by corps members. 

(NAN)