The Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has promised speedy passage of the proposed NYSC Trust Fund Bill, adding that it would boost NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme if eventually assented to by the President.
He stated this today in Abuja at the public hearing on the proposed NYSC Trust Fund bill.
The Speaker, who was represented by the Majority Leader of the house, Hon. Al-Hassan Doguwa promised that as legislators and public policy makers, they would ensure that their recommendations would be tailored to the philosophy behind the proposed trust fund
He recalled that at the inception of the NYSC, the country had about seven universities, noting that presently there are more than 200 universities in the country mobilizing thousands of graduates every year for service, which has placed many demands on scarce resources of the government.
He said the NYSC Trust Fund bill was long overdue, given the fact that it would help address a myriad of challenges besetting the National Youth Sevice Corps.
“I believe that the most pressing public policy question of our time is how to ensure the economic, political and social future of the teeming number of young people in the country.
How do we build an economy that provides enough well-paying jobs and ensures that young people are adequately represented in the arena where political decisions are made”, he said.
The Chairman, House Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Yemi Adaramodu said the committee had visited all the NYSC Orientation Camps in the country on oversight functions.
The lawmaker noted that many of the Camps are still operating from temporary sites, while the NYSCTF would address the problem of infrastructural deficit in the camps.
“NYSC is the only avenue where Nigerian young graduates flourish together irrespective of creed or tribe.
We cannot underestimate the importance of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development because the strength of a nation lies in the strength of its youth”, Adaramodu said.
The lawmaker who disclosed that a total of 105 memoranda were received stated that the National Assembly was passionately interested in any decision that would lift Nigerian youths out of poverty.
During the public hearing, a former Governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor observed that the objectives of the bill are laudable.
“The bill is commendable and l support its passage by the National Assembly”, he said.
NYSC Director-General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, who led Management, Staff and Corps Members to the public hearing also said the Trust Fund bill would address the paucity of funds affecting Corps entrepreneurs, as start-up capitals would be made availble to them as they exit service to start their businesses based on the skills learned during service.
The DG further noted that the multiplier effects arising from the businesses cannot be over-emphasised as, many Nigerians would be employed by the businesses, thus taking them off the labour market.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues nationwide, Corps Member Okafor MaryJane Ezinne FC/21A/0899, said the Trust fund would enable the provision of befitting Orientation Camps, provide adequate logistics for operational efficiency, deepen the impactof Community Development Service, provide accommidation for Corps Members, enhance the functionality of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme among others.
“The exponential rise in the population of graduates being mobilized for national service annually is causing overstretch of facilities in Orientation Camps all over the country.
We strongly believe the trust fund would go a long way in complementing the efforts of Government towards continuous expansion and upgrade of Orientation Camp facilities”, She said.
Representatives from the EFCC, NYSC Foundation, National Youth Council of Nigeria, International Strategic Studies, FCT Youth Stakeholders Forum, among others presented memo in support of the NYSC Trust Fund bill.
