Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state to promote unity, development and peaceful coexistence in their host communities.
Eno gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 corps members held at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area, on Monday.
The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, urged the corps members to demonstrate vision, patriotism and good conscience throughout their service year.
He encouraged them to build relationships with community members who share commitments to peace, unity and development.
“Align yourselves with community people that are patriotic and visionary. Work with those who are committed to peace, unity, and development.
“As critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project, you must work towards bridging gaps and fostering understanding among our people.
“The nation looks up to you to inject fresh energy, vision, patriotism, and innovation into our collective quest for a better future,” he said.
Eno also advised the corps members to maximise the opportunities provided through the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to develop entrepreneurial skills and prepare for life after service.
“In a world where formal employment opportunities are increasingly limited, you must position yourselves to become job creators rather than job seekers.
“Let this opportunity ignite in you a spirit of enterprise, creativity, and innovation,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the NYSC Coordinator in Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Ngozi Akuagbaogu, appealed to the state government to fulfil its commitment to upgrade facilities at the orientation camp.
Akuagbaogu said the condition of some facilities at the camp required urgent attention to improve the welfare and accommodation of corps members.
“Our hostels are in deplorable conditions, characterised by leaking roofs, poor toilet facilities, collapsed ceilings, broken doors, and torn mosquito nets.
“Although efforts have been made to manage the situation, the rainy season has made conditions increasingly difficult.
“This has made it difficult to safely accommodate the large number of corps members deployed to the state,” she said.
She disclosed that a total of 1,471 corps members, comprising 627 males and 844 females, were registered at the close of the orientation camp registration exercise.
The highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of allegiance to the corps members by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot.
