Northeastern University Gombe Partners with NYSC to Boost Entrepreneurship and Job Retention

Northeastern University, Gombe, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) following a courtesy visit by the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nnenna Nwachuku, and her delegation to the institution.

Speaking during the visit, the Dalawan of Gombe Pro-Chancellor and Founder of Northeastern University, Sani Jauro, described the NYSC scheme as one of the most important national programmes in Nigeria, noting that it has played a significant role in promoting unity among Nigerians from different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds.

Dr. Jauro expressed appreciation to the NYSC Coordinator for her support to the university, particularly for responding promptly to an earlier request to post a medical doctor to the institution, a request which he said was granted within a short period of time.

The Founder noted that Northeastern University is ready to deepen its collaboration with the NYSC, especially in the area of entrepreneurship development. According to him, the university operates a Directorate of Entrepreneurship where students are trained to acquire practical skills that will enable them to become self-reliant and create wealth for national development.

He explained that the proximity of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Centre to the university presents an opportunity for both institutions to work together in empowering students and corps members through practical training and skills development.

Dr. Jauro further revealed that the university has a long tradition of retaining outstanding corps members who serve in its institutions. According to him, several corps members who demonstrated commitment and professionalism during their service year had been retained and employed by the institution.

He added that the university also supports the academic advancement of such young professionals by providing opportunities for them to pursue postgraduate studies, including master’s and doctoral degrees, with the aim of developing future academics who can rise to the rank of professors and contribute to national development.

The Founder also highlighted the university’s sports facilities, noting that Northeastern University possesses an Olympic-standard football field, a 400-meter athletics track, and facilities for various sporting activities including volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, and other field events. He said the university is ready to make these facilities available for NYSC sporting activities and competitions.

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Yusuph Amuda Yahaya, welcomed the NYSC delegation and emphasized the importance of the partnership as the institution prepares to graduate its first set of students. He noted that the collaboration would help guide final-year students through the NYSC mobilization process and ensure they participate successfully in the national service programme.

Responding, the NYSC State Coordinator, Chinwe Nnenna Nwachuku, commended the management of Northeastern University for its commitment to youth development and for providing opportunities for corps members to grow professionally. She assured the university that the NYSC would continue to deploy competent and dedicated corps members to serve in the institution while strengthening cooperation in areas such as skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and community development.