Oyo State has become a magnet for youth corps members attracting a large number of them to serve their country in Pacesetter State under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, for its Peaceful coexistence.
This development is attributed to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde FNSE, DSc GSSRS, who embodies his sustainable development legacy as well as a welfare package for the youth Corps members.
The Chairman of Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana stated this at the recently held Oyokopa Business and Career Conference, themed “The Future of Work & Business: Adapting to a Changing Landscape”, at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan.
Adebowale stressed that the Governor’s Youth-friendly policies and initiatives have created a conducive environment for Corps members and young people to thrive.
He said various programmes implemented by Governor Makinde’s administration aimed at empowering youth, including skills acquisition, entrepreneurship development, and job creation, have not only made Òyó State an attractive destination for Youth Corps members but also provided them with opportunities to acquire valuable skills and experience.
“My personal interactions with the Corps members make me assured that the relative peace in Oyo State is one of the significant factors for corps members to show interest in coming to the State to serve.” This means that their life is fully secured.
Falana said; “Governor Makinde’s Policies have created a sense of belonging among young people in Oyo State. This has become a hub for youth development, and we are proud to be part of it.
While speaking of the influx of Corps members, Adebowale further acknowledged that the 15,000 naira State allowance to all Corps members serving in Pacesetter State cannot be compared to any Southwestern State of the federation, making it the most beautiful welfare package for the corps members.
The Chairman urged corps members to realize the importance of how they show up during their service year—highlighting that traits such as discipline, initiative, and adaptability are now more crucial than just having a certificate. “Employers,” he said, “are not hiring degrees anymore—they’re hiring attitude, creativity, and the capacity to evolve.”
He pointed out that the world of work is rapidly evolving, and with it must come a change in mindset. Today’s graduates, he noted, are no longer just employees-in-waiting but are expected to be problem solvers, innovators, and builders of the national economy.
He stressed that starting small shouldn’t be underestimated, and that value creation begins with leveraging what they already know, rather than waiting for large capital.
Speaking on the role of his agency, the Chairman reaffirmed the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development’s commitment to providing platforms that promote youth innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill acquisition.
Beyond employability, he challenged the young audience to think like creators and not just job seekers. He stressed further that the peaceful synergy between the State Governor and NYSC State Coordinator enables the Iseyin NYSC camp to receive the necessary equipment for them to have a seamless experience during the three-week camp.
He emphasized that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the active solution bearers of today.
He encouraged the corps members to use their service year wisely—by learning new skills, volunteering, networking, growing a digital presence, and taking the bold step to start something meaningful, even if it fails. “Every great journey,” he noted, “begins with a decision to try.”
He encouraged them to see the NYSC year as an opportunity to birth business ideas, initiate partnerships, and grow networks.
In conclusion, he reminded the audience that as they adapt to the ever-changing landscape of work and business, they must carry with them the core values of service—integrity, diligence, and patriotism.
He described corps members as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s workforce and a vital engine of the nation’s economic transformation.
The event was part of a broader initiative to empower young people in Oyo State with the mindset and tools needed to thrive in the future of work.
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