Victoria Mgbanwa
As part of efforts to enhance national security, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has called upon the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to incorporate skills acquisition and entrepreneurship into its training program.
The Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, made this call during the NDA’s 22nd Convocation Lecture in Kaduna.
The theme of the lecture was “NYSC and Skills Acquisition for Youth Development in Nigeria: A Panacea to National Security,” where Ahmed emphasized the importance of equipping cadets with practical skills. He proposed utilizing the NDA’s vast land resources for agricultural training, arguing that such an initiative would promote sustainable land use while providing cadets with practical knowledge in agriculture.
He said, “This integration is crucial as the NYSC will be ready to partner with the academy in this initiative.
”The extensive land available at the NDA should be utilised to engage the cadets in agricultural production.
“This initiative will not only promote sustainable land use , but will also provide cadets with practical agricultural skills , contributing to the overall training and self-sufficiency.
“If someone is engaged and has something to do, he will not be thinking of doing evil against his country.
“What is most important is for everyone to have a skill for himself for the development of the country.”
In response, NDA Commandant Major General John Ochai commended the lecture, noting that it highlighted the need for cadets and students to develop skills alongside their academic training.
“Apart from University education, to also acquire a skill in an area of chosen particular area that one is gifted.
”In doing so, they will be useful to themselves, the society and they will contribute to the national economy.”
