The director of the National Youth Service Scheme, Emmanuel D. Mendy, has called on the Gambia Government to give his department the needed financial support to deliver.
He said the era of too much rhetoric without any meaningful actions is the thing of the past in the new dispensation, “I want to tell government and the private sector that the young people in this country are very willing to acquire knowledge.
“I want to assure the new government of my department’s dedication to serve the Gambia and help to empower her youth, especially if we have the needed funds to do so,” he said during the enrolment of NYSS 12th batch of corps at the Independence Stadium.
Mendy added that it is high-time for government to start mobilizing its efforts towards responding meaningfully towards issues affecting the young people, whom, he said are the creams of every developing society.
He said NYSS intervenes in three main programme areas as follows: Apprenticeships -targeting dropouts before Grade 9 or the unschooled; Recurrent programme- targeting Grade 9 and above, and Compulsory National Service Programme- targeting graduates from the University and other tertiary institutions, which, he said would be piloted this year.
This, he said is the only way the country can build a sustainable development and as well give its youth the opportunity to be self-sufficient, “this new 200 young boys and girls is another milestone geared towards developing our young to helping them to acquire skills.”
He said over 1000 young people have gone through the NYSS apprenticeship over years, many of whom, he said are now engaged in different works.
Meanwhile, the NYSS executive director Lamin Darboe said his office is delighted to be associated with the noble initiative supported by the Gambia government.
He said the importance his office attaches to programs initiated to assist the young people acquire knowledge cannot be overemphasized, this, he said will not only serve as an inspiration but will also curb the parallel Backway Journey.
“I will say this is very important for government and our parents,” he said.
He challenged the young people to make good use of the opportunity presented to them and also share the expertise the gained with their friends and families who don’t have the opportunity.
He reassured that the new government will continue to give the young people the needed attention they deserve.
