By 
By Usman Aliyu
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Edo on Tuesday appealed to stakeholders to increase their support in key areas necessary for the scheme’s success.
The State Coordinator, Mrs Frances Ben-Ushie made the call in Benin at the 2025 NYSC Stakeholders’ Forum.
Ben-Ushie in her keynote address, underscored the need for collective efforts to sustain the impact of the programme, especially in the light of dwindling resources.
She identified several critical areas where stakeholders’ intervention was needed to include sponsorship of corps members’ activities.
Others, according to her, are the provision of training equipment for the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, and the establishment of NYSC skill acquisition centres in zonal offices.
The coordinator highlighted that corps members often struggle to fund Community Development Service (CDS) projects, despite their importance in improving host communities.
She noted that since its inception in 1973, the NYSC had played a crucial role in fostering national unity and driving socio-economic development.
The NYSC boss pointed out that the changing economic landscape made it imperative for stakeholders to step up their involvement.
According to her, NYSC corps members have contributed immensely to sectors such as education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship but require greater support to maximize their potentials.
“The NYSC scheme has been a cornerstone of national development, yet we cannot ignore the financial and logistical challenges we now face.
“If we want Edo State to attract and retain top talents, we must create an enabling environment where corps members feel valued and empowered to serve,” she said.
She also raised concerns about feeding during orientation camps, noting that the rising costs of goods and services have made it difficult to provide adequate meals for corps members.
Ben-Ushie urged individuals, corporate bodies, and government agencies to assist in food supply efforts.
Additionally, she called for support for the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), a programme that deploys corps members with medical expertise to underserved communities.
In his presentation, Mr Kevwe Modupe, the guest speaker at the forum, challenged stakeholders to re-evaluate their role in making the state an attractive destination for corps members.
Modupe, a media entrepreneur and brand strategist, emphasised that poor stakeholder engagement has led to corps members seeking relocation to other states, such as Lagos, Rivers, and Kano.
“Experience holds yesterday, but inspiration holds tomorrow, l urge stakeholders to rethink their approach in engaging with the younger generation,” he said.
He urged the stakeholders to help reshape the mindset of these corps members, instill patriotism, and make NYSC year in Edo an enviable experience.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum concluded with a panel discussion with participants pledging to provide the necessary resources, advocacy, and collaborations needed to move the scheme forward in the state. (NAN)
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