The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, in a strong display of leadership and encouragement has paid an official visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, on Friday.
Arriving at 10:02 a.m, Brigadier General Nafiu was received with ceremonial honours by camp officials, state coordinators, and an enthusiastic assembly of over 1,000 Corps Members eager to engage with the scheme’s highest-ranking officer.
The visit began with a welcome address by the Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua, who commended the 1,186 Corps Members, comprising 679 males and 507 females for their professionalism, discipline, and spirited participation in camp activities. She described the DG’s visit as an inspiring morale booster for the state.
The atmosphere turned celebratory as Platoon 5 delivered a vibrant Edo cultural dance, drawing loud applause and setting an upbeat tone for the event.
Following a brief introduction by Mr. Lot Christopher, which highlighted the DG’s extensive military and administrative experience, including his roles as Camp Commandant in Kaduna, Force Commander in Liberia, and Chief of Staff to the NYSC, Brig. Gen. Nafiu took the stage to deliver his keynote address.
Speaking with a blend of authority and warmth, the DG encouraged Corps Members to view their one-year mandatory service not just as a civic duty, but as a rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development. He emphasized the transformative power of the orientation phase in cultivating discipline, unity, and a sense of national purpose.
He also highlighted key expectations for the Corps Members, including:
Full engagement in lectures and participation in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme
Financial prudence and the development of a saving culture
Respect for the customs and values of host communities
Responsible use of social media and digital platforms
Mutual respect between Corps Members and NYSC officials
Describing the NYSC Anthem as a “daily guide to purposeful service,” Brig. Gen. Nafiu urged Corps Members to internalize its message and live by its principles throughout their service year.
Adding a personal touch, the DG celebrated birthdays among Corps Members, shared a symbolic cake-cutting moment, and joined in a lighthearted dance to the tune of “Lonely at the Top,” played by the camp’s Observation Squad.
In a gesture of goodwill, Brig. Gen. Nafiu donated two cows to the camp, a contribution met with loud cheers and gratitude from the Corps Members.
The visit concluded at exactly 11:19 a.m., leaving behind an energized atmosphere of patriotism and renewed commitment. In his parting message, the DG charged Corps Members to see their service year as a launchpad for personal growth and a stepping stone toward national renewal.
Lateefah Ibrahim