The Ministry of Youth Development is planning to introduce a new training program equivalent to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) specifically for graduates of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE). This announcement was made by the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Olawande Wisdom, during the opening of the BEMORE OYO 2024 Summer Bootcamp in Ibadan on Monday.
Mr. Wisdom explained that the ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Education to implement several training reforms, including the introduction of a program similar to NYSC for NCE holders and other graduates who do not currently participate in the NYSC scheme. This initiative aims to provide training opportunities within each state, eliminating the need for participants to travel to other states for such programs.
He highlighted that while the NYSC program is well-established for university graduates, there has been a gap for NCE graduates and others, which this new training scheme intends to fill. The focus is on bringing back citizenship and leadership training, which has historically helped many youths avoid social vices, similar to the impact of organizations like the Boys’ Brigade and Girl Guides.
Mr. Wisdom also praised Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, founder of the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, for her significant contributions to the development of the girl-child and her efforts to promote excellence. He encouraged support for BEMORE and similar organizations that work towards the empowerment of Nigerian women and girls.
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the wife of the former governor of Ondo State, clarified that the BEMORE initiative is not funded by the Ondo State Government, addressing a common misconception about the program’s origins.
