The Federal Government through the Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalong has said that the National Youth Service Programme has come to stay despite calls from some quarters to scrap it.

He made this known during the inspection of the Lagos State Orientation Camp.

According to him, the advantages of NYSC far outweighs the disadvantages as it has nit only enhanced the socio-cultural and ethnic integration in the country but had also promoted national unity.

He reiterated the commitment of the Federal government towards training interested graduates in skill acquisition after their one year service to the nation. He stated that graduates will be given a start-up capital at the end of the training.

In his words, “Apart from the basic orientation programme, the NYSC scheme should also move into including professional and enterprising programmes to support and motivate those who would not want to embrace public services in the country.

“After the mandatory one-year service, the Federal Government is planning an extension, to professionally train interested corps members in skill acquisition, enterprising and professional programmes.

“Corps members with keen interest would be retained and some financial token given to them as start-up capital in furtherance of their skill. This is because due to our research, we find out that people abandon school due to uncertainty of the future. Hence, we believe this would help reduce the unemployed graduate ratio and curtail pressure on white-collar job as a means to win the war against poverty.”