REPORTER: JOHN MADUAGWU
Local Government Chairmen in Abia State have been directed to reconstitute the National Youth Service Corps local government committees in their domain with a view to ensuring the security and welfare of corps members.
Governor Alex Otti handed down the directive during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C Stream 1 corps members deployed to Abia State for their national service.
Governor Otti who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the state had started paying the enhanced state allowance for Corps members and directed the commencement of the second phase of renovation of the permanent orientation camp to make it more conducive.
He enjoined them to acquire relevant skills that will be useful to them even after their service year.
In his address, the National Youth Service Corps State Coordinator in Abia State, Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, told the Corps members that the orientation programme and the service year in general was designed to prepare them to effectively shoulder responsibilities in the future.
Alhaji Tanimu while thanking the state government for its enormous support to the scheme, also raised concern over an emerging threat of erosion within the Permanent Orientation Camp and appealed for urgent attention to tackle it.
He thanked the local government councils who had provided corps lodges, those taking steps to do so and those supporting the scheme in other practical and urged those yet to do so to emulate them.
Highpoint of the event was the administration of the oath of allegiance and national pledge to the corps members by the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai represented by Justice Benson Anya.
