Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to embrace hard work, determination, and patriotism as they begin their one-year national assignment.
The governor made the charge during the official opening of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream I Orientation Course and Swearing-In Ceremony held at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Paiko.
Speaking through the state Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, Alhaji Yahaya Gulbin-Boka, Governor Bago urged the corps members to acquire skills that would be useful after their service year, particularly in the area of information and communication technology (ICT).
He encouraged them to key into the “Digital Literacy for All” campaign recently launched in Minna, urging them to leverage their proficiency in ICT to gain a competitive edge.
Bago further called on the corps members to take advantage of opportunities in the state’s agricultural value chain, stressing that agriculture remains central to the government’s strategy for food security and youth empowerment.
“The corps members should explore the vast potential in agriculture and become self-reliant. This is in line with our agenda to feed the nation,” the governor said.
Earlier in her address, the NYSC Coordinator in Niger State, Mrs Olayinka Abdulwahab, charged the corps members to uphold the ideals of the scheme and contribute meaningfully to national development.
She noted that the orientation course was designed to acquaint the corps members with the scheme’s objectives and prepare them for the responsibilities ahead.
Abdulwahab also highlighted the role of NYSC in promoting unity and national integration, stating that corps members deployed from various backgrounds to Niger were expected to foster peace and understanding.
She said the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme offered during camp would empower corps members with values of self-reliance, personal growth, and wealth creation.
In his remarks, Secretary to the Niger State Government and Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, reiterated the role of NYSC in fostering unity among Nigerian youths.
Represented by Dr Nuhu Ngaski, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youths Development, Abubakar urged the corps members to build lasting friendships, respect the customs and traditions of their host communities, and be ambassadors of peace and progress.
He assured them of government support throughout their service year, including the provision of accommodation and security.
The swearing-in ceremony marked the official commencement of activities for the newly deployed corps members who are expected to contribute to the development of communities across the state.
