All Agencies/Parastatals Under My Ministry Must Accept NYSC Members – Communications Minister
BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has directed all Departments and Agencies under the purview of his ministry to comply with the provisions of the law regarding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Pantami said the directive became necessary owing to the spate of rejection of Corps members posted on national service by some Parastatals under his supervision.
He said the directive is expected to take place with immediate effect, stressing that all agencies and parastatals under the supervision of his ministry must comply.
The NYSC scheme was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the objective of inculcating the spirit of selfless service to the community, encourage and develop ties among youths and to emphasis the spirit of oneness and brotherhood in all Nigerians irrespective of cultural or social background.
According to Pantami; “It is in pursuant of this objective that the Federal Government mandated all Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make adequate provision for Youth Corps Members to carry out their mandatory national assignment”.
The minister said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, is particularly mindful of the fact that the future of our great country depends on the youths and therefore, they must be equipped for the critical role that lies ahead.
He further said; “The ministry will provide opportunities for an appreciable number of Youth Corps members within their capacities in their regional and Head offices annually, with adequate arrangements for their remuneration.
“Give special attention to graduates with ICT – related qualifications; Ensure the effective use of their time by posting them to relevant Departments/Units/Sections of the organisation; and Plan and execute special ICT Entrepreneurial skills capacity building programmes for serving Corps Members”.
The minister said he has initiated a policy to ensure corps members are equipped with adequate entrepreneurial skills at the end of their service year to properly empower and position them as entrepreneurs instead of job seekers.
He expressed confidence that the measures will be pivotal to the realisation of this administration’s Next Level Agenda of building a prosperous and globally competitive economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.
