The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC says high level of unemployment in the country is responsible for the inclusion of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, SAED Programme into the scheme.
The Ekiti State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Mary Chikezie stated this at the Orientation Camp in Ise/Orun/Emure Ekiti while addressing corps members during the SAED exhibition meant to showcase skills acquired at the camp training.
Mrs Chikezie said the NYSC management thought it wise to introduce SAED programme to empower corps members with valuable skills so as to be employers of labour after the service year.
According to her, the SAED programme being part of the Orientation Course content enabled the Corps members to learn skills such as Tailoring, Tye and Dye, Make Up/Gele Tying, Hair making, Shoe making, Cosmetology, photography, shoe and bag making among others.
She charged the Corps members to remain steadfast in skills acquisition training, making reference to post-camp SAED training programme as prerequisite to perfect any skill.
In her words:” Nobody expects that you would perfect the learning process here in camp, it is expected that you develop interest to learn a skill and continue with it at your places of primary assignment. My dear children, a stitch in time saves nine; whether you are relocating or you are staying back in Ekiti, do not let the already burning candle of SAED go into extinction.”
Highlights of the event was a colourful exhibition by the various segments of the skills while the State Coordinator and other camp officials went round the various skills exhibition stand to observe what was being displayed.
Also, the Head of SAED in the camp, Mr Olaoye James lauded all corps members for their participation and contributions in the course of the training, describing them as skillful, serious and industrious youths.
He however, urged them to put in effort to continue the training in their respective places of primary assignment as knowledge garnered during in-camp training is not adequate for start-up.
