EDUCATION
“You Will Be Shortchanging Yourself If You Fail to Make the Most of the Opportunities That the National Youth Service Programme Offers” — Governor Alex Otti Says, Charges 2026 Batch A Corps Members in Abia
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has charged members of the 2026 Batch A, Stream 1 of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the State to deliberately maximise the opportunities provided by the scheme, warning that failure to do so would amount to “shortchanging” themselves.
The Governor gave the charge on Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,820 Corps Members posted to Abia State for the 2026 service year.
Governor Otti urged the Corps Members to contribute meaningfully to the holistic development of Abia State throughout their service year, while advising them to discard fear and uncertainty regarding their postings. He emphasised that the essence of the NYSC scheme is to expose young Nigerians to the nation’s vast possibilities through service and patriotism.
Highlighting several Human Capital Development Programmes initiated by his administration, particularly in ICT, Entrepreneurship and Agriculture, the Governor encouraged the Corps Members to take advantage of these initiatives as preparation for life after national 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.
“It does not matter where you are posted — School, Medical Facility, Judiciary or an Administrative Office, we only have one job at any of these places, which is to perform your duties with diligence and contribute robustly to the holistic development of our dear State.
“The ball is clearly in your court, 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,” Gov. Otti charged.
Governor Otti further revealed that Abia State has a standing tradition of offering automatic employment to outstanding Corps Members who distinguish themselves during service. He cited the current Head of Service, Mr. Benson Ojiehkere, an indigene of Edo State, as a practical example.
“One philosophy that sets us apart in Abia is that we are only interested in your capacity to add value and function effectively in the stations where you are deployed, not where your grandparents come from,” he said.
The Governor commended the NYSC management in the State, particularly the State Coordinator, Mrs. Gladys Adama, for their commitment to the welfare and safety of Corps Members, and pledged the Abia State Government’s continued support for the Scheme.
He also announced plans to commence the second phase of rehabilitation works at the orientation camp, including the completion of internal roads, fencing, pavilion works and the rehabilitation of the parade ground, among others.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making the service year worthwhile for Corps Members and expressed optimism that many of them would choose to remain in Abia State after service to build successful careers and businesses.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Barr. Mrs. Gladys Adama, congratulated the Corps Members on their academic achievements and underscored the importance of the orientation course in equipping them with essential skills and values for a productive service year.
Barr. Adama disclosed that a total of 1,820 Corps Members comprising 804 males and 1,016 females had been registered for the 2026 Batch A, Stream 1 scheme, and advised them to remain focused and actively participate throughout the orientation exercise.
She thanked the Governor for his consistent support to the NYSC, including the rehabilitation of the camp, installation of solar-powered street lights, augmented feeding, and an increase in the State allowance for Corps Members.
She, however, highlighted some challenges requiring attention, including the completion of the second phase of the camp rehabilitation.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development and Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, congratulated the Corps Members on their graduation and urged them to take the orientation course seriously, describing it as the foundation for a successful service year.
Sir Ananaba encouraged the Corps Members to excel in their Community Development Service activities, noting that the Abia State Government rewards outstanding contributions. He also thanked Governor Otti for his support to the NYSC and for approving an increase in Corps Members’ allowances.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of allegiance on the 2026 Batch A, Stream 1 Corps Members by the Chief Justice of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, represented by Justice Chizaram Anyim.
The event was attended by top government officials and appointees, including the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze; Deputy Chief of Staff (Office of the Deputy Governor), Chijioke Nwankwo; Chairman of Bende LGA, Hon. Dcn. Uwabunkeonye Bassey and the Director-General/General Manager of the Greater Aba Development Authority (G
ADA), Architect Uche Ukeje, among others.