By Nkechi Eze
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has cautioned Corps Members against engaging in actions that could compromise their safety during the service year.
Speaking while addressing the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Corps Members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, the NYSC helmsman emphasized the need for vigilance and adherence to security guidelines, noting that the Scheme has put in place various strategies to ensure the safety of all Corps Members across the country.
“Don’t compromise your security. Play your own part very well and you will have a smooth service year,” General Nafiu said, while also urging the Corps Members to obey all camp rules and regulations. He further reminded them that violators of the Scheme’s bye-laws would be appropriately sanctioned in line with established disciplinary procedures.
His address was contained in an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu.
Earlier in the day, during the Swearing-in Ceremony of the newly deployed Corps Members, the NYSC Niger State Coordinator, Mrs. Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, charged the participants to imbibe the ideals of the Scheme. She explained that the Orientation Course was designed to inculcate in them the core principles and objectives of the NYSC, including leadership, teamwork, national integration and discipline.
Mrs. Shuaibu-Ibrahim stated that the Orientation Programme would also expose the Corps Members to a variety of skill acquisition platforms aimed at developing entrepreneurial capabilities and encouraging the establishment of viable business networks.
“The Orientation Course marks the beginning of your journey as Members of the NYSC. The NYSC has made provisions for your intellectual and physical development through various lectures and physical drills,” she added.
Declaring the Orientation Exercise open, Niger State Governor, Umar Muhammad Bago, described the NYSC as one of Nigeria’s most enduring and effective instruments for national unity and development. He noted that over the past five decades, the Scheme has not failed in the discharge of its mandate, particularly in mobilising young graduates and instilling in them noble values such as patriotism, commitment, tolerance, teamwork and integrity.
The Governor, whose address was read by the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the NYSC Niger State Governing Board, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Gawu, also lauded the immense contributions of Corps Members to the State’s developmental efforts across various sectors of the economy.
“As you fully resume camp activities, I urge you to be disciplined, bearing in mind that your service year is coming at a time when the country is faced with a myriad of challenges. It is therefore expected that you use your energy and enthusiasm to fully engage in matters of national interest and development,” the Governor said.
He further encouraged them to see themselves as agents of positive change with the capacity to propel the nation to greater heights, while assuring them of his administration’s unwavering support for the NYSC Scheme.
Governor Bago also reiterated his government’s commitment to ensuring the comfort and welfare of Corps Members deployed to the State. He noted that efforts were ongoing to provide a befitting permanent Orientation Camp for the Scheme in Niger State and called on security agencies to work closely with the State Government in giving topmost priority to the safety and protection of all Corps Members.
Meanwhile, the Oath of Allegiance was administered to 1,025 Corps Members, comprising 456 males and 569 females, by Hon. Justice Mohammed Mohammed.
