By Nkechi Eze
In a renewed national effort to strengthen unity, discipline, and civic responsibility among Nigerian youths, the Defence Headquarters has extended its sensitization and reorientation campaign to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Kwara State. The engagement, part of the Chief of Defence Staff’s (CDS) ongoing civil-military relations initiative, sought to inspire patriotism, moral discipline, and national pride among corps members while educating them on security awareness, responsible citizenship, and career prospects in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The landmark engagement, held under the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, OFR, brought together senior military officers, security stakeholders, and NYSC officials in an atmosphere of reflection, mentorship, and renewed hope. The session also doubled as a strategic town hall forum aimed at awakening in Nigeria’s young ambassadors a new consciousness about their critical role in shaping the nation’s narrative, safeguarding its unity, and defending its sovereignty, particularly in an age where misinformation and propaganda thrive across social media platforms.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, the Staff Officer of Defence Media Operations, Commander Godwin Egbunu, led a high-powered team of senior defence officials, including Major Ayo Omojokun and embedded defence correspondents, to deliver a multi-layered presentation on national security, youth development, and the role of young Nigerians in sustaining peace and progress.
Commander Egbunu described the outreach as part of a visionary plan to “catch them young” and nurture the moral and civic consciousness of future leaders. He explained that the initiative was conceived as a long-term investment in youth reorientation, leadership, and national development.
“The whole idea is to reorient the mindset of young Nigerians who are graduates and future leaders. Rather than allowing themselves to be influenced by crime, drugs, or other social vices, they should see themselves as ambassadors of the country,” Commander Egbunu said. “We are here to encourage you and reassure you that Nigeria is still a good place, a country worth serving and building. If everyone contributes their quota selflessly, Nigeria will be better for all.”
He urged corps members to act as ambassadors of peace and progress in their host communities and to serve as shining examples wherever they are posted. He cautioned against misconduct, exploitation of students, or abuse of trust, particularly for those deployed to schools, emphasizing that such behavior undermines the essence of national service.
Commander Egbunu also conveyed the CDS’s message encouraging corps members to use their education and exposure for positive societal impact, and not to become a menace to the nation after their service year. He further advised them to embrace continuous learning through online education and skill acquisition, highlighting the importance of personal growth and self-improvement as vital components of nation-building.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the NYSC Kwara State Coordinator, Mr. Olaoluwa Joshua, commended the Defence Headquarters for the outreach, describing it as both morale-boosting and confidence-restoring for corps members.
“It’s very apt that we are having this event today because in a country where people are anxious and panicky about insecurity, having officers of this calibre come to the camp is very encouraging,” he said. “It gives corps members confidence and a sense of assurance that they can serve their fatherland without fear. Seeing senior officers among them boosts their morale and reinforces their belief that Nigeria is good, and worth serving.”
Mr. Onifade added that the lectures by the Defence Headquarters team enlightened corps members about potential career opportunities in the Armed Forces, which he described as a positive alternative to unproductive or harmful pursuits. According to him, such engagements help young Nigerians internalize values of discipline, patriotism, and national service, qualities that are indispensable for sustainable development.
He appealed to the military high command to sustain the sensitization programme across the country, noting that many Nigerian youths have fallen prey to misinformation and negative narratives on social media. “When they have face-to-face interactions with credible officers who tell them the truth about Nigeria and the importance of patriotism, they are better guided,” he remarked.
The NYSC Coordinator also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a framework already yielding visible progress in governance and the economy. “The economy is gradually improving, reforms are taking shape, and what we need to do as citizens is to support and encourage him and his team to deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.
The interactive session featured insightful lectures on security awareness, personal conduct, and responsible digital behavior. Corps members were advised to remain vigilant in their host communities, avoid sharing unverified information online, and use social media responsibly. They were also encouraged to champion peace, uphold national unity, and actively contribute to community development projects under the NYSC’s Community Development Service (CDS) scheme.
Major Ayo Omojokun, who also addressed the corps members, urged them to see themselves not just as participants in a mandatory one-year national service, but as co-architects of the country’s image, peace, and stability.
The Defence Media Town Hall campaign made an immediate and remarkable impact, as corps members engaged with enthusiasm, asking questions, sharing ideas, and demonstrating a genuine thirst for knowledge. The session went beyond clarifying misconceptions, it ignited a new sense of ownership and responsibility for Nigeria’s collective story.
One of the corps members, Yusuf Abdullazeez, expressed satisfaction with the assurances of safety given by the Defence Headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, and other visiting military officers. “They told us we are safe here in Kwara, and I believe them,” he said. “Their words have restored my confidence and made me more determined to serve with commitment.”
Another corps member, Miss Iwunzei Chizaram, said the sensitization renewed her long-held dream of joining the Armed Forces. “I’ve always wanted to join the military after completing my service year, so today’s lecture really motivated me to pursue that goal,” she said. She also commended the officers for addressing misinformation and clarifying security concerns, saying she now feels safer and better informed.
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the Armed Forces’ commitment to fostering mutual trust and understanding between the military and civilians. The Defence Headquarters team reminded corps members of the civic principle, “If you see something, say something,” stressing that timely reporting of suspicious activities could prevent crimes and save lives.
Commander Egbunu, in his closing remarks, described the corps members’ response as “excellent and overwhelming,” noting that the growing interest many expressed in joining the military was a testament to the strengthening bond of trust between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the youth population. “We may have had challenges in the past, but by nurturing the next generation with the right values, Nigeria will rise stronger, more united, and more prosperous,” he said.
By the close of the session, corps members had developed a stronger sense of national duty and a deeper understanding of how their behavior can shape public perception, influence operational security, and affect national cohesion. Many left with a renewed commitment to becoming not mere spectators, but active champions of truth, unity, and national progress.
What began as a simple town hall evolved into a transformation of perspectives, a reawakening of priorities, purpose, and patriotism, reaffirming the Defence Headquarters’ mission to empower Nigeria’s youth as the torchbearers of peace, progress, and national renewal.
