2024 International Youth Day: General Ahmed Commends Corps Members, Urges Self-Empowerment and Security Awareness

In celebration of the 2024 International Youth Day, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, the Director of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has commended Corps Members for their selfless contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. In his message to the Corps, General Ahmed praised their involvement in both rural and urban development, as well as their participation in various national assignments and responsibilities of significant national interest.

General Ahmed urged Corps Members to prioritize the acquisition of skills that will enable them to become self-employed, noting that more than 500,000 former Corps Members have become job creators in various vocations. This, he said, aligns with the Federal Government's vision of renewed hope for the nation.

Highlighting the impact of the NYSC's efforts in promoting youth empowerment and wealth creation, General Ahmed revealed that the Scheme has sensitized over 3.5 million Corps Members on skill acquisition. He emphasized that the NYSC's partnerships with various institutions offering grants have empowered many Corps Members to start their own businesses. "We are taking a giant stride in NYSC, and with skill acquisition, we have turned many Corps Members into millionaires," he stated.

The Director-General also emphasized the importance of security awareness, advising Corps Members to remain vigilant and avoid actions that could expose them to danger.

In addition to domestic initiatives, General Ahmed shared that Nigeria was among the 37 countries invited to participate in the 2024 International Youth Exchange Programme in India. During the programme, NYSC representatives exchanged ideas with the Indian government on enhancing youth programs. Furthermore, he mentioned that Tanzania recently sought to replicate the NYSC model, with the Tanzanian government seeking assistance from the NYSC in implementing similar initiatives in their country.

General Ahmed concluded by advising parents and guardians to encourage their wards to embrace vocational skills before embarking on National Service, underscoring the importance of self-empowerment in today's competitive environment.