Governor Otti Tasks Corps Members On Abia’s Development, As 1,820 Corps Members Take Oath Of Allegiance
Governor Otti Tasks Corps Members On Abia’s Development, As 1,820 Corps Members Take Oath Of Allegiance
Abia Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has charged the 2026 Batch A, Stream 1, of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to ensure proper utilisation of their service year as well as contribute robustly to the holistic development of the State.
Governor Otti who gave the charge at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,820 Corps members deployed to the State,
also urged them to maximise the opportunities the programme offers.
He explained that the essence of the NYSC scheme was to expose young Nigerians to the Country’s vast possibilities through service, urging them to give in their best and discard fear and uncertainty about their postings.
Governor Otti highlighting several Human Capital Development Programmes already initiated under his watch,especially in ICT, Entrepreneurship and Agriculture, urged the Corps members to take advantage of the programmes in preparation for life after service.
“You will be shortchanging yourself if you fail to make the most of the opportunities that the National Youth Service Programme offers.
“The true essence of the programme is to expose you to the great promise that Nigeria holds by using the vehicle of service.
“So, wherever you find yourself, all that is expected of you is to serve with devotion and a genuine sense of patriotism.
“So I will encourage you to work diligently to leave a lasting impression on the minds and hearts of the people you are going to encounter, starting from this orientation camp and when eventually you are posted to your places of primary assignment”, Governor Otti charged them.
The state chief executive disclosed that Abia maintains a tradition of offering automatic employment to outstanding Corps members who distinguish themselves during service, and cited the case of the current Head of Service, Mr Benson Ojeikere, an indigene of Edo State as an example.
The Governor also commended the NYSC hierarchy in the State, especially the State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama for their commitment to the welfare and safety of Corps Members and pledged the continued support of the State Government for the Scheme.
Governor Otti further announced plans to commence the second phase of rehabilitation works at the orientation camp, including completion of internal roads, fencing, pavilion works and the rehabilitation of the parade ground, among others.
The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba who also serves as the Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, congratulated the Corps Members on their graduation and urged them to take the orientation course seriously, as it is the foundation for their service year.
He encouraged the Corps Members to excel in their Community Development Services noting that the State Government rewards outstanding contributions and thanked the Governor for supporting the NYSC and increasing Corps Members’ allowances.
Earlier In her address, the NYSC State Coordinator,Mrs Gladys Adama while congratulating the corps members on their academic achievements, stressed the importance of the orientation course in providing essential skills and values for their service year.
She disclosed that a total of 1,820 Corps Members, including eight hundred and four males, and one thousand and sixteen females have been registered for the batch A Stream 1 scheme and advised them to remain focused and participate actively throughout the orientation exercise.
The NYSC State Coordinator while also thanking the Governor for his support, which include rehabilitation of the NYSC camp, installation of solar-powered street lights, augmented feeding, and an increase in the State allowance for Corps Members, also drew his attention to some of their challenges.
Highpoints of the ceremony was the administration of oath of allegiance on the Corps Members by the Chief Judge of Abia State ,Justice Lilian Abai represented by Justice Chizaram Anyim.
Ferdinand Ekeoma
January 23, 3026.
