NOTHING STOPS YOU FROM HAVING MULTIPLE SOURCES OF INCOME - Shokpeka

The State Coordinator, NYSC, Osun State, Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka has told the 2021 Batch C stream II Prospective Corps Members that it is possible to have multiple sources of income, and that they should thrive to achieve this in their quest for a better and brighter future.

This was said at the opening ceremony and Flag off of the in camp training of the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede on Monday. 

She charged the PCMs to leverage on the opportunities provided by the NYSC SAED programme in other to empower themselves for the future. According to her, the alarming rate of unemployment and underemployment in the country calls for a holistic and purposeful step to mitigate the problem, which the NYSC had done through the SAED programme. 

Since the programme started in 2012, thousands of Corps members have been empowered to become self reliant, entrepreneurs and some have become employers of Labour thereby reducing the rate of unemployment in the country. 

Shokpeka urged the members to take the programme seriously and embrace both the in-camp and post camp training in other to perfect their chosen skills. 

“When you are trained in a particular skill, endeavor to continue in it, so you don't lose it.” She said while encouraging the PCMs to adopt skills where they could equally train others. She enjoined them to mitigate unemployment by stepping down their trainings to the people of their host communities and the young adults. According to her, this will empower the people and help them to be gainfully employed while helping the corps members to achieve proficiency in the skill. 

She further explained that the course of their service is a time for them to explore and fulfill their dreams in any skill they chose.

She informed the PCMs of some key things they would be taught, including the meaning of business, who is an entrepreneur, and what is required of a successful entrepreneur and how to write a good business plan. 

She outlined the twelve business skills that the PCMs would be trained on and some of the subskill including Agro-allied, food processing and preservation, cosmetology power and energy, among others.

“If you mock at life today, you will meet embarrassment tomorrow.” She concluded, encouraging the PCMs not to see any skill as mediocre.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Queen of Apomuland, Olórí Janet Mba Afolabi. Who graced the occasion, enlightened the PCMs on the importance of character in the actualisation of their dreams. She stated that no amount of skills and talent can replace a good character as it is needed to sustain a skill and to also make a headway in the world of business.

Olórí Afolabi who hails from Akwa-Ibom encouraged the members on the need for them to create a niche for themselves in their environment by employing the tool of excellence, professionalism and responsibility in what they do.

“Your service year is your transit year, therefore, take hold of the opportunities you have today to prepare for the tomorrow you have always dreamed of", She advised. 

She urged the PCMs to focus on self development and acquisition of skills and professional training that will add value to them and make them employable graduate youths. She enjoined them to acquire knowledge beyond their graduate certificates, advising them to go into areas like real estate, digital marketing, project management, and more.

She further implored them to exhibit good behavior, not looking down on others but giving honor and respect to those around them stating that honor opens doors.

“The world is a stage and the stage is for those who are prepared. If you want to stand on the stage, you must be prepare.” She concluded.

Some highlights of the event include a playlet by the SAED Ambassadors, introduction of trainers and the EDP lecture handled by the team from the National Directorate of Employment, Osun State.