By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, has called on Nigerian youths to develop and engage themselves with the various platforms of ministries for youths.
Adaramodu made the call on Thursday while addressing members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the temporary Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, Lagos.
Adaramodu led a five-man delegation on oversight visit at the ongoing orientation course for the 2023 Batch ‘B’, Stream 2 members deployed to Lagos.
He said that the government of President Bola Tinubu as supported by the National Assembly had about five or six ministries where Nigerian youths could ventilate themselves.
“We have Ministry of Youths, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Arts/Culture and Creative Economy, dominated by the youths, Ministry that handles Digital Economy and Innovation and Ministry of ICT.
“Now that we have all these ministries to serve the Nigerian youths, the best you can do is to seize this opportunity to ensure that you develop yourselves as early as possible.
“Take advantage of these laudable platforms and available opportunities provided by the polity of today, have self and environmental discipline and you’ll have peaceful future.” the lawmaker said.
He, however, gave an assurance that proactive measures would be put in place by the National Assembly that would promote youth employment and youth engagement which would be pursued.
Adaramodu after an inspection tour of works by corps members, expressed his delight.
He noted that the corps members had made positive impact within the short orientation course period.
He commended coordinators of Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) and the NYSC management for their commitment, particularly for the neat environment.
Adaramodu urged the Lagos State Government to create an enabling environment for corps members that would leave the orientation camp.
He urged the state government to consider palliatives that would cushion any unpalatable effect that might come their way due to the state of the economy.
Speaking, the NYSC Coordinator in Lagos State, Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa, expressed gratitude to the entourage led by Adaramodu.
Baderinwa said that the corps members had exhibited dedication to SAED, lectures, paramilitary drills and other camp activities.
She, however, pointed out inadequate accommodation led to a large number of the state’s corps members being deployed to neighbouring states for orientation course.
“In Lagos State, we have a total of 4,513 corps members deployed for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Course but only 1,833 are resident here in Iyana Ipaja camp while others are deployed to Osun, Ogun and Oyo States.
“We have urgent need to speed up work at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Agbowa, Ikorodu, to have a befitting camp where we can put all our corps members in a place.” she said.
NAN reports that the entourage were thrilled with entertainment by cultural groups, display by martial arts group and rendition (Ewi) by Adeoye Adekakun, a graduate of Theatre Arts, Lagos State University (LASU).