By Rita Iliya
Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has urged newly deployed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to channel their energy and enthusiasm into national development as they begin their service year.
He stated this at the opening of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Paiko on Friday.
Bago urged the corps members to see themselves as agents of change in spite of the fact that their service year comes at a time when the country faces a myriad of socio-economic challenges.
“Use your energy and enthusiasm to fully engage in matters of national interest and development.
“As corps members, you are agents of change, armed with the potential to lead this country to enviable heights,” he said.
He called on the corps members to uphold discipline, patriotism, and commitment throughout their service year, urging them to contribute to the progress of their host communities and the nation at large.
Bago also encouraged the corps members to participate in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, noting that academic qualifications alone were no longer sufficient in the modern world.
He gave the assurance that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the scheme to thrive, including the deployment of manpower and machinery to improve the orientation camp for the comfort of corps members and officials.
According to him, the state government will continue to prioritise provision of a befitting orientation camp for the comfort of corps members and officials.
Earlier, Mrs Martina Shuaibu-Ibrahim, NYSC State Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the governor for his continued support to the scheme.
She highlighted the objectives of the orientation course, which includes paramilitary drills, lectures, leadership training, and citizenship education aimed at promoting self-reliance, discipline, and national values.
She said the oath of allegiance taken by the corps members was a solemn commitment to serve the nation faithfully and encouraged them to familiarise themselves with the NYSC Act and by-laws.
She urged the corps members to go forth with courage, serve with pride, and make the orientation course and their service year count.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
