By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has charged Corps members to uphold the founding principles of the scheme.
He issued this directive while addressing the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps members during separate visits to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State, and Kwara State Polytechnic in Ilorin.
The graduates are currently undertaking their mandatory three-week orientation course.
The DG stated that the virtues of selfless service, patriotism, integrity, efficiency, commitment, and teamwork have been the pillars sustaining the scheme since its establishment in 1973.
He emphasised that present and future Corps members must continue to imbibe these values to preserve the legacy of its founders.
Brig. Gen. Nafiu reminded them that the NYSC was established to foster national unity, integration, and development by harnessing the intellectual prowess and ingenuity of the country’s young graduates.
He stressed that they have a responsibility to continue the task of nation-building from where their predecessors left off. “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,” he said.
The DG encouraged them to participate in all orientation activities with zeal, noting that the exercises are designed to deepen their knowledge of Nigeria and prepare them for the challenges of their service year and beyond.
He implored the Corps members to internalise the physical, mental, and intellectual skills being imparted during the course to ensure a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Brig. Gen. Nafiu advised them to adapt to their new postings after the orientation and to respect the customs and traditions of their host communities to attract goodwill.
The NYSC helmsman also urged the graduates to use the service year to acquire knowledge, skills, and attributes that would distinguish them among their peers when entrusted with future leadership roles.
He encouraged them to interact and build friendships across the nation’s various divides, highlighting the NYSC as a platform to establish a valuable network of associates for the future.
Earlier, the NYSC Osun State Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, reported to the DG that the 1,864 Corps members registered at the camp were well-behaved and actively participating in all activities.
Similarly, the NYSC Kwara State Coordinator, Mr. Onifade Joshua, informed the DG that the Corps members deployed to the state had been of good conduct. He also commended the camp officials for their exemplary performance in tutoring the Corps members.
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