FCT MINISTER OF STATE URGES CORPERS TO CHAMPION UNITY, DISCIPLINE, AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

…AS 6,956 BEGIN SERVICE IN ABUJA.

By: Darlington Omotoso.

The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has charged members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to embrace discipline, national unity, and purposeful service as they begin their one-year national assignment in the nation’s capital.

The Minister gave the charge earlier today, during the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja, where she congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their academic programmes and mobilization for national service.

Dr. Mahmoud, who was represented by the Ag. Mandate Secretary, Youth and Sports Development Secretariat and the Director of Sports Department, Mr. Luka Itsifanus, described the NYSC deployment policy, which posts graduates outside their states of origin, as a critical instrument for fostering national integration and strengthening peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. She noted that the scheme provides young people with an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the country’s diversity while promoting the values of unity, tolerance and collective nation-building.

She urged the corps members to participate actively in all orientation camp activities and submit themselves to the discipline and regimented lifestyle of the programme, emphasizing that the experience would prepare them for a productive and successful service year.

The Minister also warned against social vices, including cultism and drug abuse, while advising the corps members to remain security-conscious and law-abiding at all times. According to her, the FCT Administration has made security a top priority, with relevant agencies deployed to ensure the safety of lives and property within the camp environment.

Highlighting the significance of the Oath of Allegiance administered during the ceremony, Dr. Mahmoud reminded the corps members that the oath represents a solemn commitment to serve Nigeria faithfully. She challenged them to demonstrate exemplary conduct, mentor others and initiate development-oriented projects that would complement government efforts across communities in the FCT. The Chief Judge of the FCT, Hon.Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, who was represented by Justice Frances Messiri, administered the Oath of allegiance to the corps members.

Earlier in his welcome address, the FCT NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Samson Ateli, disclosed that a total of 6,956 corps members, comprising 2,860 males and 4,096 females, were successfully registered for the orientation exercise. He explained that some corps members were temporarily dislodged to camps in Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi and Benue States due to the limited accommodation capacity of the FCT camp.

Mr. Ateli expressed appreciation to the FCT Administration for its continuous support to the scheme, particularly its role in creating an enabling environment for corps members. He appealed for additional intervention in the provision of welfare facilities and hostel accommodation to address the increasing number of corps members posted to the FCT. He also called for urgent completion of ongoing renovation and reconstruction works at the Kubwa orientation camp.

The Coordinator further encouraged the corps members to take full advantage of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing it as a strategic initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with entrepreneurial and vocational skills for self-reliance and job creation. He urged them to use the orientation course as a platform for personal development, leadership training and preparation for future responsibilities.

Mr. Ateli advised the corps members to maintain high standards of discipline throughout their service year, warning against involvement in criminal activities, financial crimes, cult-related activities, drug abuse and other social vices. He also urged them to observe camp hygiene and sanitation regulations.

The ceremony attracted top government officials, members of the judiciary, NYSC management and other distinguished guests, culminating in the formal declaration of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course open by the Minister of State, who wished the corps members a rewarding, fruitful and hitch-free orientation programme.