By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has charged members of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One to uphold the Scheme’s core values and remain steadfast in their commitment to national service, patriotism and integrity.
General Nafiu gave the charge on separate occasions while addressing Corps members undergoing orientation at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State, and at the Kwara State Polytechnic Orientation Camp in Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Mrs. Caroline Embu, the Director-General reminded the young graduates that the enduring strength of the Scheme since its establishment in 1973 has been anchored on the virtues of selfless service, patriotism, integrity, efficiency, commitment and teamwork.
He stressed that the responsibility of sustaining these ideals now rests squarely on the shoulders of the present and future Corps members, noting that the founding fathers of the Scheme laid a solid foundation which must not be allowed to erode.
General Nafiu further explained that the NYSC was created to promote national unity, foster integration and drive development by harnessing the intellectual capacity, creativity and ingenuity of Nigerian youths. He urged the Corps members to see their service year as a continuation of the nation-building efforts of those who came before them.
“As stated in the NYSC Anthem, Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve; it is our responsibility to develop our country. We cannot expect foreigners to come and build our nation for us,” the Director-General said.
He enjoined the Corps members to approach all orientation course activities with enthusiasm, noting that the programmes were deliberately designed to expose them to the country’s diversity, broaden their understanding of Nigeria and prepare them for the responsibilities they would shoulder during and after the service year.
The NYSC helmsman urged them to fully internalise the physical, mental and intellectual training being imparted, stressing that doing so would enable them to have a fulfilling, rewarding and impactful service experience.
General Nafiu also advised the Corps members to quickly adapt to their places of primary assignment after orientation and to show respect for the customs, traditions and values of their host communities, adding that such conduct would earn them acceptance, cooperation and goodwill.
He further encouraged the young graduates to take advantage of the service year to acquire additional knowledge, practical skills and positive attributes that would distinguish them among their peers and prepare them for future leadership responsibilities.
Emphasising the importance of interpersonal relationships, the Director-General urged Corps members to interact freely, build friendships across ethnic, religious and cultural lines, and utilise the NYSC platform to establish networks that could prove beneficial in their personal and professional lives.
Earlier, the NYSC Osun State Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, informed the Director-General that the 1,864 Corps members registered in the Osun camp were well behaved and actively participating in all camp activities.
Similarly, the NYSC Kwara State Coordinator, Mr. Onifade Joshua, reported that Corps members deployed to the state had exhibited commendable conduct, while also commending camp officials for their dedication and effective delivery of training and orientation programmes.
