NYSC Chairman says Joining the NYSC Foundation Isn’t Compulsory for Corps Members
The chairman of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Foundation, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi has explained that the NYSC Foundation is a voluntary organisation that could be joined by any corps member or ex-corps members.
Speaking during the annual general meeting of the foundation, Abdullahi revealed that those who had joined the foundation by the payment of N500 would be entitled to get a loan if they have a marketable business plan.
He explained that the only collateral for the loan given by the foundation was the NYSC certificate adding that the foundation has in collaboration with the NYSC, helped corps members who have passed through the SAED programme of the scheme.
Abdullahi explained that apart from helping young entrepreneurs with soft loan, the foundation has continued to bring Nigerians of different religions and ethnic groups together, which was the goal of the founding fathers of the scheme.
“There are more corps members now compared to when the scheme was established. So with this challenges and dwindling resources, it was decided that if the scheme has to be sustained, there was need for external support. They started consulting ex-corps members and some of them bought the idea and the foundation was established,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the foundation, Adebanjo Akinigbabe stated that the essence of the foundation was multi- dimensional because it helps not only corps members but also ex-corps members adding that the foundation was all about aimed at supporting the NYSC scheme.
“Those who have served can still come back after service and ensure the unity of the country and also assist the NYSC in the face of the dwindling financial resources of the government which is normal because government has a lot to do.
“One hundred and twenty six Nigerians have benefited from our soft loans, ranging from between N250, 000 and N400, 000. Corps members can apply for loan through their state coordinators, with a business proposal which will be screened by the board of trustee of the NYSC foundation.
“We have built a corps members hostel in Jos that can accommodate 240 corps members. Corps members after orientation can stay there until they can get accommodation of their own. We also donate items to orientation camps to increase the welfare and facilities in camp. We want to make the NYSC camp friendly to corps members,” he said.
