The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunke Nafiu, has tasked the 2026 Batch A Stream 1 corps members deployed to Osun to have faith in Nigeria and utilise opportunities provided by the scheme to become self-reliant.
Nafiu, who gave the charge when addressing corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Osogbo on Monday, said that the high rate of unemployment in the country informed the introduction of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
He said that the programme was designed to equipped corps members with practical skills that would enable them to be gainfully engaged after the service year.
According to him, we are trying to give every corps members a reorientation and value addition to raise his or her consciousness that the era of waiting for salary jobs is gone.
“I want to urge corps members to acquire at least one skill while in camp and also believe that such skills would help them start something meaningful after the orientation exercise.
“I assure corps members that the NYSC will not abandon them because the Federal Government has put in place support measures such as grants and single-digit interest loans to assist corps members with viable business ideas,” the D-G said .
Nafiu added that the orientation camp was meant to introduce corps members to the objectives, core values , and traditions of the NYSC, stressing “corps members have been exposed to values such as commitment, discipline, loyalty and patriotism since their arrival”.
He advised the corps members to reflect on what they had learnt and apply the lessons throughout their service year while respecting the cultural values and traditions of the people of Osun .
“Certain things are expected from corps members as guests in their host communities, including respect for institutions, values and culture.
“Let them see you as people who are willing to learn and not as nuisances. You are here to serve, and you must serve in line with the clarion call,” he said.
Nafiu described the national service as a constitutional responsibility for every Nigerian graduate.
The D-G said further that the scheme provides a platform for young people to understand the country better and network for social -cultural and economic opportunities.
Earlier, Mr Ita Kubiangha , the state NYSC coordinator, commended the Director -General (DG) Brig. -Gen.Nafiu, for his relentless and tireless efforts in achieving the core mandate of the scheme across the country.
Kubiangha said that a total of 1,864 corps members were deployed to the state for the 2026 Batch A stream 1 comprising 850 males and 1,014 females.
He said that stakeholders had continued to support the scheme with some materials which include plastic chairs and drugs among other necessities .
According to him, we received 120 plastic chairs from one Mr Olalekan Badmus , while the Muslim Hospital in Ede donated drugs and other medical supplies.
” Traditional rulers in Edeland had also indicated readiness to support the scheme particularly with respect to provision of drugs and other assistance for corps members.
” The camp has not recorded any casualty since the commencement of the exercise and corps members have been well fed with quality foods, well-behaved and disciplined since their arrival at the camp,” he said .
Kubiangha added that a traditional ruler in Gbongan had visited the camp to deliver lectures to corps members, describing the gesture as part of stakeholders’ contributions to the success of the programme.
Kubiangha also praised the D-G for his visit, adding that such gesture would further strengthen camp operational activitie
