LATEST UPDATE: FG Replies to Scrapping of NYSC

LATEST UPDATE: FG Replies to Scrapping of NYSC

 

The Federal Government through the Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong has said that the National Youth Service Programme has come to stay despite calls from some quarters to scrap it.

He made this known during the inspection of the Lagos State Orientation Camp.

According to him, the advantages of NYSC far outweighs the disadvantages as it has nit only enhanced the socio-cultural and ethnic integration in the country but had also promoted national unity.

He reiterated the commitment of the Federal government towards training interested graduates in skill acquisition after their one year service to the nation. He stated that graduates will be given a start-up capital at the end of the training.

In his words, “Apart from the basic orientation programme, the NYSC scheme should also move into including professional and enterprising programmes to support and motivate those who would not want to embrace public services in the country.

“After the mandatory one-year service, the Federal Government is planning an extension, to professionally train interested corps members in skill acquisition, enterprising and professional programmes.

“Corps members with keen interest would be retained and some financial token given to them as start-up capital in furtherance of their skill. This is because due to our research, we find out that people abandon school due to uncertainty of the future. Hence, we believe this would help reduce the unemployed graduate ratio and curtail pressure on white-collar job as a means to win the war against poverty.”

More Students Apply For Polytechnics – JAMB

More Students Apply For Polytechnics – JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on January 4, disclosed that it now has more candidates interested in gaining admission into Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Monotechnics and Innovative Enterprise Institutions.

 

According to TheNation, JAMB’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) had expanded the carrying capacity of the institutions and addressed admission access in the country.

“Today, we are not there yet, but the enrolment for colleges of education, polytechnics, monotechnics and Innovative Enterprise Institutions has improved,” he said.

“Having said this, I want to say that we are worried by a recent interview granted by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Bello, where he allegedly blamed the Board for admission challenges in tertiary education.’“The respected scholar also said that the board’s matriculation examination should be split into three, with the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education each having separate entrance examination.

READ: Board refuses to extend result validity to three years

“We sincerely appreciate this concern over the challenges of admission, especially as it affects carrying capacity and the preferences of candidates for universities over other tiers of tertiary institutions.

“However, the board would want the public to note that it was this same concern among others that led to the unification of the matriculation examination,’’ the statement said.