The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fadah, has called on the Senate to accelerate efforts toward the passage of the NYSC Trust Fund Bill. He made the call while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Batch “B” Pre-Orientation Workshop in Abuja yesterday.
He said the proposed trust fund law was very apt because there was an urgent need to address identified challenges bedevilling the scheme.
According to him, the situation whereby the Bill had already been passed by the House of Representatives and waiting for concurrence was not the best.
“With the Bill for the establishment already passed by the House of Representatives, I am confident that it would not be long before the Senate gives its concurrence. I, therefore, appeal for the sustained support of all stakeholders for its actualisation,” Fadah pleaded.
Speaking on the theme of the workshop, ‘Repositioning the Critical Components of the Orientation Course Content to Address Prevailing Challenges’, the NYSC DG said the Scheme would adopt best practices in a bid to make the exercise more impactful.
He noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges of the operating environment, the NYSC has continued to conduct orientation exercises successfully.
In his remarks, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Musa Bello, promised the new DG of continued support to the scheme, especially in the area of safety and welfare of corps members.“”Let me assure the Director-General that the FCT Administration shall not relent at providing the necessary support to the NYSC at all times, especially as it relates to the security and welfare of our dear corps members,” he said.
It requires a multi sectoral approach to deal with the menace. We are introducing riders certification for those using Okada for dispatch activities.
“Therefore, until you are verified by the directorate of road transport service you may not be able to ride a bike across Abuja. We are remodeling the licensing and regulations as well.
“These would be carried out to dissuade the use of Okada. Total ban has been suggested but still being considered.
“Some of the contiguous states are already banning. And if we don’t ban it, FCT will be a dumping ground in a few years,” he added.
