President Goodluck Jonathan has advised recent graduates of the National Youth Service Corps scheme to create their own jobs, and promised them that his administration would support their strides.
The president gave the charge at the passing-out ceremony of the corps members on Thursday, via a speech, which was read at the Kwara State’s programme of the passing-out ceremony in Ilorin by the state Head of Service, Mohammed Dabarako.
“Various programmes have been introduced under our Transformation Agenda to encourage Nigerian youths develop entrepreneurship skills that enhance self-reliance.
“Skills acquisition centres for youths, SURE-P soft Loan for Young Entrepreneurs, You-Win! Programme and others are all efforts by the Federal Government to challenge your potentials for self actualisation.
“I urge you to explore and take advantage of these value re-orientation and wealth creation programmes, including the fresh opportunities that now exist in our agriculture sector,” he stated.
The president who said the education and experience the corps members acquired during their service year had equipped them sufficiently to succeed in life and make productive contributions to the country, charged them to spearhead transformation and promote harmonious relationship wherever they may be.
While encouraging the passing-out corps members to participate in the processes towards the 2015 election, Jonathan advised them to let the unity, peace of the nation, fair play and discipline be their watchwords.
The state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abiodun Fagbemi, disclosed that 69 corps members that were supposed to be among the over 2,000 that passed out, would suffer extension of the period of their service, while another five would have to repeat the service year for breaching the rules and regulations guiding the service.