By 
By Usman Aliyu
The Edo Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, Dr Frances Ben-Ushie, has urged female corps members to use their one-year national service to build skills, impact communities and shape their future.
Ben-Ushie gave the charge on Monday in Benin during an event marking the 2026 International Women’s Day.
The event was organised by the NYSC in collaboration with Flourish Foundation for Women and Youths, the MEE Initiative and the Charity/Gender CDS groups in Egor, Ikpoba-Okha and Oredo Local Government Areas of the state.
The NYSC state Coordinator spoke on the topic “Fostering Self-Reliance and National Development: Discipline, Skill Acquisition, and Impactful Community Service in National Youth Service Corps.
Ben-Ushie, who is also the President of the foundation, told the corps members and the student participants that the service year offered a unique opportunity.
The opportunity, she said, was to redefine their future through discipline, skill acquisition and community service.
“What if one year could change the direction of your life?” she asked.
“One year may look short, but it can also be very long depending on how you use it.
“At the end of your service year, everyone will collect a certificate, but what truly matters is who you have become and the impact you have made,” she said.
The NYSC boss emphasised that discipline formed the foundation of self-reliance and success.
She urged corps members to take advantage of opportunities within the scheme to develop practical and digital skills.
“If you want to be self-reliant, discipline is the foundation.
“Skills, especially digital skills, are very important today because the world has moved online.
“Don’t just be consumers of social media; become beneficiaries of it,” she said.
She also encouraged the corps members to use the Community Development Service to create lasting impact in their host communities.
“If your service year ends today, what will your community remember you for?” she asked.
Ben-Ushie stressed that impactful service did not always require financial resources but the willingness to identify problems and provide solutions.
“You don’t need money to make impact. You only need the decision to make a difference and the willingness to act,” she said.
She added that when women rise, they lift families, transform communities and contribute significantly to national development.
Earlier, the NYSC Edo Gender Desk Officer, Mrs Imaji Osazewinde, said the theme “Give to Gain” highlighted the importance of investing in women as a pathway to societal progress.
“Intentional giving creates progress for everyone. When we invest in women through education, safety and opportunity, we gain stronger families, resilient communities and national development,” she said.
She advised female corps members to take advantage of training opportunities in entrepreneurship and vocational skills such as catering, digital marketing, fashion and business management to achieve economic independence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that corps members also staged a drama titled “Give to Gain” to reinforce the theme of the celebration.
The drama highlights the importance of supporting women and girls to realise their full potential.
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