An onlooker, who was watching the parade from the stands in Lagos, could not help but lament aloud, saying, “how will these youths survive without the monthly allowances (commonly referred to as allowee).”
This also captures the feelings of some of the discharged corps members who confessed that, though the future looks good, where and how to go about getting around the harsh reality of unemployment remains depressing.
Going by the high rate of unemployment and uncertainty of what lies ahead of the national youth service, many youth in the country especially corps members that immediately bought into the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) to rediscover and brush up trades and vocations they had passion for expressed optimism as some are already making good money.
Some of them can be categorised as owners of businesses already with trade names as platforms for transactions.
This was revealed at the recent graduation ceremony and presentation of proficiency certificates to a total of 289 corps members that had undergone training in various career endeavours that includes facial make up, cake making and baking, small chops, events management, and beads making.
At the event held at Her Excellency Skills Development Centre in Ikeja, Chief Inspector Officer, SAED division Mrs. Nneka Anumudu, who represented the Assistant Director SAED Lagos Secretariat of the National Youth Service (NYSC), Mrs. Rachael Ideawor, congratulated the corps members for keying into the skill acquisition programme immediately it was introduced by the Federal government.
Describing the recipients of proficiency certificates as lucky ones, she urged them to spread out and put the lessons into practice immediately as a backup to their academic learning.
“As some have already started making money even before this day, go out there and start making money, employ others and be your own manager. The market is large. You have been taught how to write business letters and proposals. Where you have difficulty feel free to come to the office for assistant in your business proposal in order to attract loan and grants”, she said.
She encourage the discharged corps members not to hesitate in making contacts with Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and YOU WIN for assistance in the area of grants or loans to grow their businesses.
The Director of the skill centre, Mrs Adenike Obayemi, who expressed happiness that many of them have started making good income in excess of the monthly allowance of about N20,000 within weeks, urged others who just starting not to be discouraged and allowing the seeds planted in them through the SAED to germinate in their respective filed of proficiency.
“Skill acquired and unutilized will amount to a waste. Today you have added a second qualification to your academic learning to complement the skill acquired in order to stand out among others who have not acquired the level of your education.
“Those who took the SAED project for granted have themselves to blame because virtually all of you have started making income from the various skills acquired during the service year”, she said.
The corps members drew applauses from guests at the ceremony as they stepped out to give testimonies of their exploits in training as well as their aspiration to combine the skills with jobs if it ever comes their way.
A graduate of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the Lagos State University (LASU), Mrs. Adefunke Ale said her first outing though done free drew a lot of attention and applause from her family members who did not know she had acquired training in hall decorations and cake making.
She said, “My cousin that was originally contacted to decorate was amazed at the colour combination and perfect touches at the ceremony that had also fetched jobs and contacts. I stole the show at the wedding ceremony in Lagos”.
Graduate of Law from Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Okonkwo Juliet, said, “I will never go hungry with the skill acquired”.
Lynda Akpawusi a graduate of Economics from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUST) and CEO/MD of Dimples Cakes and Confectionery, said, “I am determined to make a fortune out of this new found skill by putting in all economics theories and practical that will make a successful professional”.
At the passing out parade proper at the Iyana ipaja Orientation Camp some of the discharged corps members who spoke with Daily Independent said they are optimistic of securing white collar jobs while the married ones said they will also not be found depending on their spouses as they will also earn income through buying and selling as short term alternative to staying idle.
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