NAN-H-64
NYSC
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Aug. 15, 2017 (NAN) The FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, has urged NYSC members with relevant qualifications in Agriculture and allied courses, to help introduce new and improved farming techniques to farmers in their host communities.
Bello made the call at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation course at the NYSC orientation camp, Kubwa, Abuja.
Bello represented by Mrs Amina Abubakar, Director, Human Resources, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), said such assistance would enable the FCT to produce food for local consumption and export.
He said the present administration was resolved to take advantage of the natural and human resources, including agricultural potential in the territory and mobilise the NYSC members to assist the farmers.
The minister said that to further actualize this, the Agricultural Secretariat of the FCTA has registered about 9000 small holder farmers to participate in the CBN’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
He said other initiatives of the administration such as increased average annual yield in rice and cassava farming were already yielding dividends.
“There is so much that corps members can help us to achieve in this regard.
“I hope that your intervention will bring about improved farming methods, increased yield and overall growth in the agricultural sector.
“I also urge you to sensitise and encourage both youths and parents, especially in the rural communities to see education as a worthy investment that must be accorded priority.
“This will help us to double our efforts to excel in WAEC examination and improve on past records of 15th position in 2015 and 14th position in 2016.
“UNICEF estimates that Nigeria has the World’s highest number of children out of school, with over 10.5million estimated to be affected. Sadly, children of school age within the FCT are part of this data.
“I expect you to be actively involved in the formal and extra-curricular education of youths in the FCT.
“This will ignite their interest in agriculture, provide employment and sway them from unwholesome vices such as drug abuse which seems to be growing among youths at an alarming rate,” he said.
He warned the NYSC members to desist from inducing employers in the rural areas to reject them as their services were mostly needed and better appreciated in local communities.
Earlier, Mr Abdulrazak Salawu, the NYSC Coordinator in FCT, said about 2,500 corps members would be deployed within the territory to carry out their primary assignments.
Salawu said the FCTA was looking up to the educational skills and training programmes of the corps to accelerate the growth of the territory, bridge economic gaps and promote peace and unity.
He called on them to be of exemplary conduct, so that the youths of host communities would emulate them.
The NYSC coordinator reminded them that society expected much from them and urged them not to engage in frivolous and unauthorized journeys.
Salawu said that incessant and unauthorized travels would be met with commensurate punishment in line with the NYSC bye-laws.
The NYSC Batch ‘A’ stream II orientation course held from July 26 to Aug. 15 nationwide. (NAN)
KRY/OIF/EMO
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ejike Obeta