From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, has tasked corps members posted to the state on the need to be creative, innovative, and proactive in identifying solutions to the challenges facing the nation.
The governor stated this at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp at Umunnato, in Bende Local Government Area, during the swearing in ceremony for the 2025 Batch “A” Steam II orientation course.
Otti said that his administration would provide the requisite enablement for the corps members to effectively discharge their mandate.
He revealed his administration’s commitment in strengthening the scheme and enhancing its capacity to nurture patriotic values in young graduates.
Otti said that it was in this wise, his government embarked on the ongoing rehabilitation of the NYSC orientation camp at Umunnato, in Bende Local Government Area of the state.
Otti, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, said that he recognised the critical role the NYSC plays in national integration and development efforts, adding that he was optimistic the corps members’ service year would be a transformative experience that would shape their perspectives and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to make a meaningful impact in society.
“As you commence your orientation programme, I urge you to actively participate in all activities designed to condition you physically and mentally for the demands of the service year.
“We consider you critical partners in our national transformation efforts, driven by our social compact contract with the people of Abia State as encapsulated in the New Abia Project Blueprint.
“Our blueprint focuses on institutional and structural reforms, sustained economic growth and development.
“We are committed to creating an enabling environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship and social mobility,” he said.
The governor urged the corps members to draw inspiration from the worthy antecedents of their predecessors, who he said made noteworthy contributions to the development of their host communities.
He told the corps members that their service year presents them an opportunity to engage with local communities, understand their needs, and contribute to their development.
“We will work closely with the NYSC management to ensure that your service year is productive and fulfilling. I urge you to take advantage of the opportunities available to you, to learn, grow, and develop your skills and capacities especially now that you are undergoing your orientation course exercise,” he advised.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development and Chairman, Abia NYSC Governing Board, Nwaobilor Ananaba, disclosed that the present administration in the state has maintained a supportive role towards the Abia State NYSC Secretariat and its activities.
He urged the corps members to use their service year to render selfless service to Abia State in particular and the nation at large.
Earlier, the state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Gladys Adama, had assured
the NYSC Scheme’s commitment to the development of the state through the posting of the corps members to various communities across the state.
Adama said that the course content for the corps members include Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme, training in physical fitness, lectures (including Igbo language, security, and other self-development topics), social activities, games, and sports.
“These are all geared towards preparing you for life during the service year and beyond, as well as equipping you for the leadership roles you will assume in the future,” she said.
She disclosed that in the last few years, NYSC has recorded a paradigm shift in the Orientation Course content, “aligning it with the prevailing security and economic realities of the country.
“The precarious state of national security and acute shortage of white-collar jobs, especially for graduates, have made this change inevitable and compelling. This shift brought about the introduction of security lectures and Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship training into the Orientation Course content.”
The Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, who was represented by Justice C. E. Anyim, administered the Oath of Allegiance on the corps members.