By Omar Bah
The National Youth Service Scheme, NYSS, has recently graduated 33 young Gambians “trained on GSQ level 1 rice production” in Sapu.
The training, according to officials will help the graduates in the area of rice production and as well give them the opportunity to be self-reliant.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the chairman, NYSS, Famara Badjie said NYSS is a voluntary institution under the aegis of the ministry of youth and sport.
He said the satellite institution is of national significance where government crusade for practical youth development and employment is delivered to youth.
“The scheme that has been launched in 1996 has registered success stories in its efforts in refocusing the attitude of young people with required skills training,” he said.
He said the NYSS continues to deliver its responsibilities and mandates of moulding the youth in promoting community development and self-reliance and being resourceful for national development with a view to saving them from social evils such as unemployment.
“This graduation is one of few engagements of the new board of directors at NYSS under my leadership. We also want to reiterate our individual and collective will, not only to emulate the successes of the past but to continue to steer the scheme to higher heights,” he said.
Whiles thanking the graduates for their dedication throughout course, the NYSS chairman urged the outgoing students not to relent in their quest to be successful, “have confidence in yourself and strive to put your mark in the areas of rice production.”
“There is no doubt that the existence of a peaceful and stable society depends on the productive engagement of its youth, whose effective and useful participation to national development is crucial,” he said.
He called on the public and private sector agencies and international donors to support the NYSS.
Meanwhile, the minister of Youth and Sports in a speech read on his behalf by the Agriculture regional director in CRR, Ousman Colley said the training was both timely and crucial, “and may therefore be regarded as a milestone in the annals of NYSS and this new Gambia.”
“It is therefore my pride to witness the passing out of these dynamic young people, who were inducted into the scheme to acquire among other marketable skills for self-employment,” he said.
“All of you are aware that the country is faced with so many socio-economic challenges confronting the government and youth in particular. You will agree with me even though previous government established NYSS yet, there was not much attention given to it as expected.”
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