Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has charged the 2026 Batch A, Stream 1, of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to make the most of their service year, warning that they would be “shortchanging” themselves if they failed to maximise the opportunities the programme offers.
Governor Otti gave the charge on Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,820 Corps members deployed to the State.
The Governor urged them to contribute robustly to the holistic development of the State during their service year and also advised them to discard fear and uncertainty about their postings.
He stressed that the essence of the NYSC scheme was to expose young Nigerians to the Country’s vast possibilities through service.
Governor Otti highlighted several Human Capital Development Programmes initiated by the State Government, especially in ICT, Entrepreneurship and Agriculture, urging Corps members to take advantage of them as preparation for life after service.
“Youwill be shortchanging yourself if you fail to make the most of the opportunities that the National Youth Service Programme offers.
“The true essence of the programme is to expose you to the great promise that Nigeria holds by using the vehicle of service.
“So, wherever you find yourself, all that is expected of you is to serve with devotion and a genuine sense of patriotism.
“So, wherever you find yourself, all that is expected of you is to serve with devotion and a genuine sense of patriotism.
“It does not matter where you are posted — School, Medical Facility, Judiciary or an Administrative Office, we only have one job at any of these places, which is to perform your duties with diligence and contribute robustly to the holistic development of our dear State.
“The ball is clearly in your court, so I will encourage you to work diligently to leave a lasting impression on the minds and hearts of the people you are going to encounter, starting from this orientation camp and when eventually you are posted to your places of primary assignment”, the Governor charged.
He revealed that Abia maintains a tradition of offering automatic employment to outstanding Corps members who distinguish themselves during service, and cited the current Head of Service, Mr Benson Ojiehkere, hails from Edo State as an example.
“One philosophy that sets us apart in Abia is that we are only interested in your capacity to add value and function effectively in the stations where you are deployed, not where your grandparents come from”, he said.
The Governor also commended the NYSC hierarchy in the State, especially the State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama for their commitment to the welfare and safety of Corps Members and pledged continued the State Government’s continued support for the Scheme.
Governor Otti further announced plans to commence the second phase of rehabilitation works at the orientation camp, including completion of internal roads, fencing, pavilion works and the rehabilitation of the parade ground among others.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making the service year worthwhile for Corps members, and expressed that many of them will stay back at the end of the service year to build successful careers and businesses in the State.
In her address earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Barr Mrs Gladys Adama while congratulating them on their academic achievements, emphasised the importance of the orientation course in providing essential skills and values for their service year.
Barr Adama disclosed that a total of 1,820 Corps Members, comprising of 804 males, and 1,016 females have been registered for the batch A Stream 1 scheme and advised them to remain focused and participate throughout the orientation exercise.
The NYSC State Coordinator thanked Governor for his support, which includes rehabilitation of the NYSC camp, installation of solar-powered street lights, augmented feeding, and an increase in the State allowance for Corps Members.
She however however highlighted several challenges for the Governor’s attention including the need to complete the phase 2 of the camp rehabilitation among others.
The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba who also serves as the Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board,in his remarks congratulated the Corps Members on their graduation and urged them to take the orientation course seriously, as it is the foundation for their service year.
Sir Ananaba encouraged the Corps Members to excel in their Community Development Services noting that the State Government rewards outstanding contributions.
He thanked the Governor for supporting the NYSC and increasing Corps Members’ allowances.
Highpoints of the swearing in ceremony was the administration of oath of allegiance on the 2026 Batch A Stream 1 Corps Members by the Chief Justice of Abia State Justice Lilian Abai represented by Justice Chizaram Anyim.
