The Ministry of Youth Development is working on a new training program tailored for graduates of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), similar to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Olawande Wisdom, announced this initiative during the opening of the BEMORE OYO 2024 Summer Bootcamp in Ibadan yesterday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Wisdom revealed that the ministry intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to introduce various training reforms, including an NYSC-like program for NCE graduates. He noted that while the NYSC caters to university graduates, there has been no comparable program for NCE holders or those with similar qualifications. “Our main focus is on citizenship and training, and we are reviving these values. We have NYSC for university graduates, but what about those who completed NCE and other programs?” he asked.
The new scheme aims to provide local training options, eliminating the need for participants to travel to other states.
Wisdom also emphasized the importance of addressing social issues and acknowledged the positive role of organizations like the Boys’ Brigade and Girl Guides in steering youth away from negative influences. He highlighted that the ministry’s goal is to strengthen citizenship and training through the proposed program.
He also commended Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the founder of the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, for her efforts in empowering girls and raising standards. Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu clarified that the BEMORE initiative is independently funded and not supported by the Ondo State Government, aiming to nurture future female leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). She emphasized the need for women’s and girls’ inclusion in development, citing her personal experiences as inspiration for the initiative. “We cannot achieve development if we exclude 50% of our population, consisting of women and girls,” she stated.
Another key speaker, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, Group Managing Director and CEO of Odu’a Investments, urged participants to fully engage with the training opportunities, praising the event’s organizers and mentors for their dedication to advancing girls through technological education.
The event also featured a CPR training session led by the Red Cross Society, followed by the launch of a book titled “The History of BEMORE, A Historical Voyage” by Esther Michael.