'NYSC reforms is beyond security’

'NYSC reforms is beyond security’
By Bukola Amusan, Abuja
07/08/2011


The Minister of Youth Development Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has said the on-going reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is beyond securing corps members.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of a 3 -day retreat for the staff of the ministry with the theme ‘’Youth Development and transformation Agenda’’, Abdullahi said reforming the scheme was necessary following the killing of some corps members in Bauchi state during the last general election.
He explained:”We must agree on how to reform NYSC beyond security of corps members. Security is very important but the kind of reforms must be able to bring huge returns on the investment not only to the participating youth corps members but also to Nigeria as a country,” he stated.
Abdullahi assured that the mandatory one-year service will now be used to turn young people to job creators.
He said the era of going about with Curriculum Vitae after the scheme was over.
He condemned the organisation of youth empowerment schemes by some agencies and ministries without input from the Ministry of Youth Development, which he said should be on the driving seat with such efforts.