The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps members completing their service year not to lose hope despite the current economic challenges facing the country.

Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, Director General of NYSC, made this appeal during the distribution of certificates of national service to the 2024 Batch B Stream 1 corps members in Bauchi State.

Speaking through the Bauchi State Coordinator of the scheme, Kufre Umoren, the DG emphasized that Nigeria remains a land of untapped opportunities that could transform their situations for the better.

Opportunities Amid Challenges

"I want to encourage you, despite the harsh economic conditions, don't lose hope in your country. You can still turn the situation around because Nigeria is a land of opportunities," Nafiu stated.

The NYSC Director General highlighted the country's abundant resources, noting that "If you travel around the country, you will realize that there is no part of the country that does not have mineral resources or one form of economic advantage."

He urged the corps members to be self-reliant rather than dependent on their parents. "Don't give up, I have trust in your strength because the Nigerian youth are resilient, strong, hard working and ingenious. It's not a time for you to go back to your parents and start eating their food again. It's a time for you to think of how you can provide for and support them," he advised.

Critical Decision Time

According to the Director General, this period marks a crucial moment for corps members to make important decisions that will shape their futures and plan for the next phase of their lives.

BenriNews reports that a total of 1,054 corps members, comprising 584 males and 467 females, received their certificates of national service in Bauchi State during the ceremony.