By Miriam Humbe
The Director-General (DG) National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu has told Corps Members that their welfare, safety and security are top priority to the NYSC and so, would never be compromised.
Caroline Embu, the NYSC’s Director, Information and Public Relations disclosed this in a statement signed on Sunday.
The Director-General said this while addressing the 2026 Batch “A” Stream II Corps Members deployed to Niger state and some deployed to the FCT but assigned to undergo their Orientation Course at the NYSC Niger Camp located in Paiko.
General Nafiu disclosed that he was in Makurdi, Benue State, when he received news of the damage caused by late night rain storms at the Paiko Camp.
He said he immediately convened his team and came to personally assess the damage and initiate steps towards immediate repairs of the affected structures. The DG said that though luxury was not expected on Orientation Camps, minimum standards were required.
He assured the Corps members that discussions were ongoing between the NYSC and the Niger State Government to quickly repair the damage caused and upgrade the camp. He asserted that the Corps Members would not be left stranded at any point.
General Nafiu commended the discipline of the Corps Members, noting that there were no social posts or pictures of the damaged structures on the camp.
The NYSC Chief Executive took advantage of the visit to sensitize the Corps Members on the essence of the scheme, stating that it was intentionally designed to foster national cohesion amidst Nigeria’s diversities.
He urged the Corps members to forge friendships among themselves and treasure those relationships beyond the camp and service year.
The DG also sensitzed them on the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
He intimated that SAED was an added advantage as it was essential skills acquired in the course of the national service, adding that the skills would create jobs and source of livelihood for those who may not get jobs after the service or serve as a source of extra income for even those who may gain employment.
General Nafiu disclosed that the 2026 Batch “A” Stream II Corps Members would be the first set to participate in the 2027 general elections as ad-hoc staff. He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would provide them with the requisite training for the exercise at the appropriate time.
He then cautioned them against partisanship, thuggery and other electoral vices.
The DG stated that the NYSC was non-partisan. Therefore, as members of the Corps, they were not permitted to participate in politics.
The NYSC DG further enjoined the Corps Members to take measures towards their safety, referencing the rainy season and the attendant storms, floods, and other dangers that may accompany it. He urged them to stay safe.
The Coordinator, NYSC Niger State, Mrs Martina Shuaibu Ibrahim informed the DG that a total of 2,484 Corps Members, made up of 1,241 male and 1,243 female were registered for the Orientation Course.
This figure included FCT Corps Members dislodged to Niger Camp for their Orientation Exercise.
