Yusha’u Ahmed, the director-general of NYSC, has announced collaborative efforts with various stakeholders to provide soft loans for corps members, empowering them towards self-reliance.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday at the formal closing ceremony of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream ‘2’ orientation course in Kaduna, Mr. Ahmed highlighted the importance of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program. He emphasized its role in equipping corps members with the necessary skills for financial independence post-service year.

He said what the NYSC envisaged for the corps members was their ability to create wealth for themselves after their service years.

The director-general urged the corps members to continue with the post-camp SAED programme, adding,” so they could further enhance their skills for their independence.”

He urged them to quickly settle down in their places of primary assignments while respecting the tradition, culture, norms, and values of their host communities to understand the contribution they needed to make to them.

Mr Ahmed renewed his call to the corps members to avoid unnecessary journeys and, if necessary, not travel at night, adding that it always poses dangers to corps members.

Earlier, addressing the corps members,  Governor Uba Sani commended the camp officials for their dedication and commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the orientation course.

Mr Sani reminded the corps members that they were ambassadors of peace and progress tasked with bridging cultural and socioeconomic divides.

Therefore, Mr Sani urged the corps members to positively impact the lives of their host communities, stressing Kaduna’s rich diversity and cultural heritage.

NYSC coordinator in Kaduna, Hassan Taura, urged the corps members to identify the felt needs of their host communities and ensure they embark on life-touching community development service projects..

Mr Taura advised them to take part in the SAED post-camp training.