Dogara Launches Discount card for Students, Youth Corps Members
in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara would soon launch a discount card designed to subsidise expenses on goods and services for Nigerian students and youth corps members.
Targeted at about 23 million youth, the Nigerian Students and Youth Corpers Discount Card (NSYDC), an initiative of a private firm, Bridge Concept, has already received the endorsement of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
In partnership with hundreds of goods and services providers, bearers of the card would receive different ranges of discounts, a practice which is common across the world,
One of the drivers of the concept, and a former member of the House, Hon. Bimbo Daramola told THISDAY that it became necessary to come up with the concept in the face of prevailing economic realities in the country.
“The effect of our current economic realities on our youths is harsh, so it is our responsibility to look for safety nets to shield them from crimes and criminality. While doing that, we should not lose focus on how to empower the students and youth corps members to keep from deviant behaviours.”
“That was what brought the idea of the online discount platform. We already have partners from all sectors of the economy, from hospitality to tourism and others, whereby any of our subscribers will enjoy a discount from the goods and services he or she is seeking to enjoy,” Daramola added.
About 35,000 partners including students and corners are already benefitting from the service in the Federal Capital Territory, with plans to extend to other parts of the country almost immediately after the launch.
“Though it is new and first of its kind in Nigeria but it has been in existence in Europe and Americas for more than 3 decades. These are some of the privileges enjoyed by students and other youth groups in Europe and Americas that makes it appear like their society is extra perfect,” he added.
Intensive efforts are however being made to ensure that the concept is not abused or exposed to fraud.