The chairman, Senate Committee on Youth and Community Engagement, Yemi Adaramodu (APC Ekiti South), said the recently passed National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund Bill would provide jobs for graduates.
Mr Adaramodu disclosed this when he led a delegation of the committee on an official visit to Oyo State NYSC Orientation Camp in Iseyin on Saturday.
He said the bill would soon be sent to the president for assent and had passed both first and second readings and other legislative crucibles.
The lawmaker said the bill’s provision was basically to ensure that corps members get established through the training they acquired through the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
He added that the bill’s provisions also cater to corps members who might wish to go into business after their service year.
“The issue of unemployment and what is next for corps members after the service year will be a thing of the past soon.
“The bill will ensure that the dreams of every Nigeria graduate become a reality, “he said.
Mr Adaramodu disclosed that the Senate, in collaboration with relevant government departments, agencies and other stakeholders, would soon work on the upward review of corps members’ allowances.
He said the Senate’s legislative agenda would also consider other youth development programmes besides those embedded in the NYSC trust fund bill.
The Oyo State NYSC coordinator, Abel Odoba, noted that the NYSC trust fund bill would practically eradicate unemployment among graduate youths in Nigeria.
He said statistics have shown that many corps members who actively engaged in SAED programmes have become employers of labour after their service year.
“The bill will provide a soft landing for corps members who have undergone SAED in securing startup funds.
“Through the trust fund, skilled corps members will be given startup grants so that they will become employers of labour and contribute to the development of the nation.
“Country like China and other fast developing nations are exploring skills development to address unemployment.
“A time is coming that certificate will no longer be useful, but skills acquired will always make way at all times, “he said.
The Senate delegation includes Salisu Afolabi (APC Ogun Central), Aminu Abbas(PDP Adamawa Central), the clerk, Ijeoma Chikwem, and other principal officers of the committee.
