Make a Difference in Abia, Otti Charges NYSC Corps Members
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, has charged members of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state to make meaningful contributions to the development of their host communities and leave positive legacies during their service year.
Otti gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of the corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the corps members were joining Abia at a time his administration was sustaining efforts to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen public institutions and improve healthcare and education.
He urged the corps members to see themselves not as mere observers of the ongoing transformation in the state, but as active participants in the development process, charging them to approach their service with discipline, commitment, humility and willingness to learn.
According to him, national service remains an important instrument for promoting national integration, as it provides young Nigerians from different backgrounds with the opportunity to live, work and learn together.
Otti reassured the corps members of his administration’s commitment to their welfare, disclosing that the state government would commence payment of the enhanced state allowance approved for them.
He also disclosed that the government had recently provided office furniture and air-conditioning units for the NYSC State Secretariat in Umuahia to create a conducive working environment for the smooth operation of the scheme.
The Governor said his administration had renovated all the camp hostels, while internal roads affected by erosion were being rehabilitated through tiling.
He further disclosed that he had directed the commencement of the second phase of the camp renovation, covering the hostel block, office quarters, clinic, kitchen and other facilities, as well as the provision of additional power and streetlights to improve safety within the camp.
Otti urged the corps members to take advantage of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, advising them to acquire skills, develop business ideas, improve their digital competence and build relationships that would remain useful beyond their service year.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian resident in Abia State would be discriminated against on the basis of origin, ethnicity or place of birth.
The Governor called on employers, including federal and state institutions and private establishments, to provide decent working conditions, appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements for corps members.
He directed all local government chairmen in the state to immediately reconstitute NYSC local government committees in line with the provisions of the NYSC Act, stressing that the committees should provide necessary support, particularly in the areas of security and welfare.
Otti also appealed to local government councils, traditional rulers, community leaders, philanthropists and other stakeholders to support corps members in executing Community Development Service projects in their communities.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, said the orientation course was designed to prepare the corps members for the responsibilities awaiting them at their places of primary assignment and communities.
Tanimu urged the corps members to participate actively in physical training, lectures, parade, sporting, social and cultural activities, stressing that the experiences acquired during the orientation would help build discipline, teamwork, adaptability and responsible citizenship.
He appreciated the Abia State Government for its support to the NYSC, particularly the payment of the new state allowance and provision of furniture, air-conditioning units and refrigerators for the new NYSC State Secretariat Complex in Umuahia.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NYSC State Governing Board, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Jane Igwe, welcomed the corps members to Abia, describing the state as a land of opportunities in commerce, industry, agriculture, technology and skills development.
She assured the corps members of the state government’s continued commitment to their security and welfare.
The highlight of the event was the swearing-in and signing of oath forms by the corps members, administered by Justice Benson Anya, who represented the Abia State Chief Judge.Lilian Abai.
The ceremony attracted the Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Deacon Bassey Uwabunkonye, representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers, camp officials and other dignitaries.
