By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has charged Corps Members to explore the opportunities available at the Ilorin Innovation Hub and Kwara Garment Factory to acquire skills, create jobs and become self-reliant.
General Nafiu gave the charge during his tour of the two facilities as part of his working visit to Kwara State.
He said the facilities, established by the Kwara State Government, offered abundant opportunities for youth development, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.
Speaking during the visit to the Ilorin Innovation Hub, its Managing Director, Mr Temi Kolawole, said the facility was established to position Kwara State as a leading innovation centre in Nigeria, promote youth empowerment and contribute to reducing unemployment.
He said the facility, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United States Embassy, IHS and Alliance Française, houses conference centres, learning points, workspaces, gaming and relaxation areas, creativity spaces and technology facilities.
A major highlight of the tour was the introduction of Miss Sinachi Goodness Onuchukwu, a graduate of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management and the Human Resources Manager of the establishment.
Onuchukwu was deployed to Kwara State for the 2024/2025 service year and served at the Innovation Hub as a Corps Member. Following the completion of her service, she was retained by the organisation and subsequently became its pioneer Human Resources Manager.
At the Kwara Garment Factory, the Director General was taken through the various sections of the facility, including cutting, sewing, printing, beading, laundry and finished products.
He was conducted round the factory by its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Folake Akindele.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Director General to assess the facilities and highlight their potential to equip young Nigerians, including Corps Members, with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.
