By Isaiah Eka
Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has urged corps members serving in the state to promote unity, development and peace in their host communities.
Eno made the call at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1 corps members in Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai, on Monday.
Represented by Dr Ekerete Ekanem, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Eno charged the corps members to exude vision, patriotism and good conscience during the service year.
“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.
The governor further urged the corps members to take full advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the scheme to develop their entrepreneurial potential.
“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,” he said.
The NYSC Coordinator in Akwa Ibom, Mrs Ngozi Akuagbaogu urged the state government to remember its promise to upgrade facilities at the orientation camp.
Akuagbaogu said that the state of the facilities at the orientation camp required urgent intervention to promote the welfare of corps nembers.
“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 nembers deployed to the state.
She said that at the close of registration, a total of 1,471 corps members, comprising 627 male and 844 female, were duly registered.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of oath of allegiance on the corps members by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaete Obot.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)