Niger Govt Pledges New NYSC Orientation Camp Within 12 Months

The Niger State Government has pledged to deliver a new permanent orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) within the next 12 months, promising modern facilities to improve the training and welfare of corps members.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago made the commitment on Tuesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the ultramodern camp in Paiko, saying funds for the project had already been appropriated and warning the contractor against delays.

“By the grace of God, in 12 months from today, we will come back here and commission the phase one of this camp,” the governor said.

He thanked the Paiko community for providing eight hectares of land for the project and expressed confidence that the completed camp would rank among the best in the country.

NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, described the project as a significant milestone that reflected the state’s commitment to youth development and national unity.

He commended the Niger State Government for its consistent support for the scheme, including the welfare of corps members, adding that the new camp would replace one of the oldest and most challenging orientation facilities in the country.

According to him, the new camp will provide modern, secure and conducive facilities for the orientation of corps members and strengthen the scheme’s capacity to prepare young graduates for national service.

Nafiu noted that since its establishment in 1973, the NYSC has remained a platform for national integration, discipline and patriotism, with the orientation camp serving as the foundation for building lasting relationships among young Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.

He assured that the new facilities would be fully utilised to improve the comfort, safety and morale of corps members before their deployment to places of primary assignment.

The NYSC Director-General also praised Niger State for joining Lagos, Adamawa and Gombe states in providing new orientation facilities for corps members and thanked the people of Paiko for their continued support and hospitality.

He urged corps members to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the scheme and uphold the values of discipline, tolerance and patriotism throughout their service year.