One of the
many reasons why the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS) was set up is to give
our young people the skills they need to be self-reliant in life. Candidates
opt for vocational skills they think they are best suited for, out of the many
and varied skills on offer at the centre. These include car repairs and
electrical installation. Those who have completed the respective vocational
courses seem to be doing well in their chosen fields. One of such people is
Kawsu Badjie.
Ex-corps
member and chairman of the interim executive committee of the NYSS alumni
association, Mr Badjie has just been singled out for further training in
electrical installation in the
The Kawsu Badjie example is significant in more ways than one. Firstly, his determination to succeed despite meagre resources should serve as an inspiration to other young Gambians to stay the course. Secondly, through his success, he has created employment opportunities for other Gambians who would otherwise have been jobless. Thirdly, he has reinforced the usefulness of skill acquisition as a potent tool for navigating life's rough sea. There are few people, if any at all, who have succeeded in life without a skill of some sorts. If our youth are really desirous of success, then they will have to learn to take pride in skill acquisition rather than look down their noses at it. No trade on its own is worthless; it all depends on how you apply yourself.
We therefore
urge our young people who are not so academically inclined to look inwards and
choose a trade that they can learn and practise. We contend that is far better
than idling around and waiting to cross over to '