12/08/2026
FUELING SELF-RELIANCE AND FINANCIAL SECURITY: SAED UNPACKS CORPS MEMBERS ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND FINANCIAL LITERACY,
The Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme continued on Day Two at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Wannune, with corps members receiving practical lessons on entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Speaking on money management, Mr. Joseph Hua encouraged corps members to cultivate the habit of saving and investing, stressing the importance of using investment accounts and other financial instruments that can generate additional income rather than spending their earnings without a plan.
The SAED trainers also introduced the 14 vocational skill areas offered under SAED across 15 classes, urging corps members to acquire practical skills that could serve as alternative sources of income. The areas include 3D epoxy designs, agro-allied ventures such as fish farming, culinary and catering services, makeup and gele, leather works, bead making, event management, aluminium and steel works, solar installation, paint production, ICT and barbing.
In another session of the lecture series, Mr. Paul Nzenwa, who is in charge of evaluation, reminded corps members that the orientation course is only a brief phase of their wider NYSC journey and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunities available during their service year.
Mr. Emmanuel Onyeke explained the management structure corps members are expected to work with, identifying the State Secretariat as an important point of contact with experienced NYSC officials. He advised corps members to always seek directives from their Local Government Inspectors before embarking on journeys and also outlined the various categories of leave available to them and the procedures for application.
Speaking on Community Development Service, Mr. Akile T.T. described CDS as an avenue for civic responsibility and active youth participation rather than merely a conventional lecture. He emphasised that effective governance requires the participation of young people and highlighted the role of corps members in sensitising Nigerians about their rights and responsibilities.
A guest lecturer from First Bank, Samuel Guyit, spoke on financial inclusion, explaining its promotion under the framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He distinguished between the banked, unbanked, and underbanked populations, noting that a significant proportion of Nigerians remain financially excluded. He highlighted financial inclusion as a tool for promoting economic growth, national development and poverty reduction.
Mrs. Sedoo Gbande, a representative of the Okaha Women and Children Development Organisation also sensitised on human trafficking. She educated corps members on the causes and consequences of human trafficking, warning them about the tactics used by traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals.
She noted that persons seeking opportunities, particularly those planning to travel abroad, may be targeted through false promises, financial manipulation, unsustainable loans and deception by people they trust. She warned that victims may eventually be subjected to forced s*x work, exploitation and other forms of abuse.
Corps Members were enlightened with practical knowledge intended to strengthen their entrepreneurial capacity, financial awareness, civic responsibility and personal safety as they progress through their service year.