Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
National Youth Service Corps and Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have reached an agreement on boosting the capacity of Corps Members for job creation and youth empowerment. This was contained in a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Acting Director, Information and Public Relations.
The two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to that effect at SMEDAN Headquarters in Abuja today.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed, said that partnership with SMEDAN would avail Corps Members more access to funds to finance their business ideas.
He added that NYSC mobilizes over 400,000 Corps Members annually and equips them with bankable business ideas and vocational skills.
“This means providing them with start-up capital is a sure way of improving Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product,” he asserted.
On his part, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, lauded Brigadier General Ahmed for his passion towards Corps Members’ empowerment.
He said the agency would leave no stones unturned in pursuing the Federal Government’s agenda on job creation.
Odii stated further that the MoU would empower Corps Members to fund their business ideas as SMEDAN aims to create 50,000 entrepreneurs in a year.
“Corps Members are graduates, and if they are well trained, they will train and also empower other youths,” he added.
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