By Nkechi Eze
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reminded corps members that the scheme’s deployment policy places all Nigerian graduates on equal footing, irrespective of their social, economic, ethnic, or religious backgrounds.
According to an official statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the NYSC helmsman gave the charge while addressing corps members deployed to Kwara State for the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course at the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
General Nafiu explained that the NYSC scheme was designed to promote national unity and integration by fostering equal treatment for all participants. “Some of you attended public schools, while others went to private or foreign institutions, yet here you are sharing the same hostels, wearing the same uniforms, eating the same meals, and receiving equal allowances. That is what NYSC represents, unity, equality, and service,” he said.
He urged corps members to see themselves as one family and to build friendships that would transcend the service year, noting that such networks often become valuable assets in life. “A network of good friends,” he said, “is the currency that reigns in today’s world.”
The NYSC Director General further encouraged corps members to embrace the culture and traditions of their host communities, stressing that understanding local values would give them a better perspective on national issues and prepare them for leadership responsibilities in the future. He advised them to adjust to the regimented lifestyle of the camp, explaining that it was deliberately structured to build resilience, discipline, and adaptability, qualities essential for national service and future endeavors.
General Nafiu also charged the corps members to take full advantage of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, both during and after camp, as it was designed to equip them with practical skills for self-reliance and economic independence. He emphasized that the NYSC management is committed to producing a generation of entrepreneurs and job creators who would contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy.
He, however, cautioned corps members against the misuse of social media, urging them to leverage digital platforms for positive and impactful purposes. “Use your intellect and creativity to shape narratives that build rather than destroy. The new media should be a tool for innovation, education, and national development,” he advised.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the NYSC Kwara State Coordinator, Mr. Joshua Onifade, disclosed that a total of 1,304 corps members, comprising 767 females and 537 males were registered for the current orientation course. He commended their discipline, enthusiasm, and active participation in all camp activities.
Mr. Onifade also praised camp officials for their commitment and professionalism, noting that their dedication had contributed to the successful conduct of the orientation exercise. He expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for approving the use of Kwara State Polytechnic as the venue for the orientation course and for ensuring that necessary facilities were provided, including 250 new double bunk beds supplied by the state government.
The State Coordinator equally thanked the management of Kwara State Polytechnic for their cooperation and support in hosting the exercise, describing the partnership as a demonstration of shared commitment to youth development and national unity.
The event reaffirmed NYSC’s role as a unifying institution and a platform for nation-building through discipline, service, and youth empowerment.
