The Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has reaffirmed his administration’s support for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) through a range of youth empowerment programmes aligned with the Anambra Vision 2070 development blueprint.
Speaking through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Martin Agbili, at the opening of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course in Awka South, the Governor welcomed 1,433 newly sworn-in Corps members and urged them to uphold the values of patriotism, discipline, and national service.
Governor Soludo described the swearing-in as “a sacred commitment to live out the values of integrity, tolerance, and selfless service,” and said the Corps members’ presence “rekindles hope in our collective journey toward a better Nigeria.”
He highlighted several youth-focused initiatives already underway in Anambra, including the “One Youth, Two Skills”programme, Solution Innovation District (SID), Code Anambra, and Youth-in-Agribusiness.
The swearing-in of the 1,433 Corps members, comprising 658 males and 775 females, was administered by Justice S.N. Okoye on behalf of the Chief Judge of Anambra State at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu.
The Chairman of the NYSC Anambra State Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth Development, Patrick Agha Mba—represented by Mr Martin Ezeilo—described the Corps members as “symbols of unity and hope,” and urged them to reflect “discipline, integrity, and patriotism” throughout their service year.
In her address, NYSC Anambra State Coordinator, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, congratulated the Corps members on their mobilisation and described the Orientation Course as “the foundation of their service journey.”
“This course is tailored to develop your leadership, civic, and entrepreneurial capacities,” she said, noting their “impressive discipline and enthusiasm.”
Mrs Ojisua thanked the Anambra State Government for integrating Corps members into its development agenda but appealed for infrastructure upgrades at the orientation camp, including expanded accommodation and erosion control.
Dignitaries present at the event included Mr Ayodele Adegoke, Director, South East Area Office I, Enugu; Mr Leo Eze, State Director, NABTEB; Mrs Chika Ufelle of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE); Dr Joe Akabuike, Chief Medical Director of COOUTH Awka; and Kingsley Okafor, representing the Chairman of Awka South LGA.
Traditional rulers HRM Igwe Dr Joel Egwuonwu, Eze Udo II of Umuawulu, and HRM Igwe Dr Patrick Nwokike Anugwu also graced the occasion. The State Security Service was represented by Mr Morgan Ebohoho.
The newly inducted Corps members were urged to seize the opportunities of the Orientation Course and uphold the ideals of national service.
PIAK