The Ministry of Youth Development has announced plans to introduce a training program equivalent to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for graduates of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).
This initiative aims to provide NCE holders with the same opportunities for national service currently available to university graduates.
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Olawande Wisdom, revealed this at the opening of the BEMORE OYO 2024 Summer Bootcamp in Ibadan on Monday.
He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry of Education to implement training reforms that cater to a broader spectrum of Nigerian youth.
“We are working on a training program similar to NYSC for NCE graduates and others,” Wisdom said.
“This initiative will allow them to complete their service within their states, providing a valuable experience without needing to relocate.”
Wisdom noted that youth training organizations, such as the Boys’ Brigade and Girl Guides, have historically played a crucial role in preventing social vices.
He stressed the importance of reviving such citizenship training programs as part of the ministry’s broader efforts to instill discipline and responsibility among young Nigerians.
In addition to discussing the new training scheme, Wisdom praised Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, founder of the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, for her dedication to the development of the girl-child, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is also the wife of the former governor of Ondo State, clarified that the BEMORE initiative is independent of government funding and focuses on nurturing future female leaders in STEM.
“We cannot achieve development if we leave behind 50 percent of our population, made up of women and girls,” she said.
Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, Group Managing Director and CEO of Odu’a Investments, also addressed the participants, urging them to fully embrace the knowledge and skills provided by the program.
He commended the organizers and mentors for their commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders through technological education.
