The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has urged the Nigerian Defense Academy to incorporate skills acquisition and entrepreneurship programme into its curriculum.

He made the recommendation at NDA 22nd Convocation Lecture in honor of the graduating cadets of 71 Regular Course and Post- Graduate students on Tuesday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the title of the lecture was ” NYSC and Skills Acquisition for Youth Development in Nigeria: A Panacea to National Security”.

Ahmed 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 utilized 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.”

The director-general also recommended that the academy’s Post- Graduate School should consider introducing a skill acquisition programme for its students.

He explained that such an initiative would provide the students with valuable practical skills that complement their academic pursuits, enhancing their employability and capacity for self-reliance.

He said that skills acquisition was critical to national security, adding, ”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.”

Earlier, the Commandant, NDA Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, appreciated Ahmed for the lecture, which explained the importance of skills acquisition to national development.

Ochai said,” The lecture was an eye opener for every individual to take it as a responsibility.
“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.”

PUNCH