Some 200 young people from across the country who formed the 11th batch corps members of the National Youth Services Scheme (NYSS) last Thursday took an oath of service and allegiance at a ceremony held at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
The occasion that marked the end of their six weeks inclusive orientation at the NYSS Camp in Bakau, was meant to introduce the young trainees to leadership skills and good practice, skills training as well as introductory lectures on culture and tradition.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Sheriff Gomez, Minister of Youth and Sports said the event come at a time the country, the sub -region and development partners are being forced to redefine their strategies to effectively stem the tides of what is manifestly youth in desperation and their attempts at sea for European destinations.
“We on this side will be able to invest in more tools for poverty reduction, training and employment opportunities for both
Hon. Gomez noted that since youth empowerment is a vehicle for economic growth and sustainable social development, the greatest asset of a nation is it human resources.
The human capital formation of the Program for Accelerated Growth and Employment (PAGE) is critical in national development, he said and commended the corps members for having completed the orientation.
Speaking earlier at the ceremony, the Executive Director of the NYSS, Nuha Y. Jammeh, said prior to the swearing-in ceremony, several administrative measures and preparations were carefully put in place such as nationwide mobilization and recruitment of the 11th batch, who went through the 22-month training.
Mr Jammeh added that the central government would pay their tuition fees and a monthly stipend of D200.
“The principal objectives of the drilling exercise were to instill disciple and tolerance and co-operation and the essence is to impart the social norms culture values of the secondary socialization to the corps members, “said the NYSS boss.
According to Mr Jammeh, lectures were also conducted by the visiting lectures from NYSS collaborating skills training centres such as GTTI, the
He emphasised that the lectures were meant to sensitize the corps members to prepare them for the right choices of vocations or skills training areas.
He tasked the graduates to adhere to the ideals of the NYSS learnt during the current 2011 orientation and to commit, dedicate and obey the laws of the land.
The duration of the NYSS bi-annual orientation ought to be reduced to the annual or yearly programme, he said, adding that the Scheme should also reduce its intake from 200 to 100 corps, and get de-centralised to maximize both financial and human resources at the regional level.
He also pleaded for a means of transportation, which “are desperately needed by the NYSS in order to fulfill its nationwide sensitization, mobilization and recruitment purpose and needs.”
Idrisa Fafan Mbai administered the services of Oath to the corps members on behalf of the Chief Justice.
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