The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to the state to embrace service, integrity, innovation and sacrifice as catalysts for national development.
The Governor, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Alhaja Wasilat Adegoke, gave the charge at the Swearing In Ceremony of the 2026 Batch “C” Stream I Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin.
Welcoming the Corps Members to Oyo State, the Governor described their deployment to the Pace Setter State as the commencement of a significant chapter defined by service, leadership, personal growth and national integration.
He noted that the NYSC Scheme remained a veritable platform for uniting young Nigerians across ethnic, religious and cultural divides, thereby fostering mutual understanding, friendship, national cohesion and a stronger sense of identity.
Makinde urged the Corps Members to regard themselves not merely as beneficiaries of a national programme, but as strategic partners in the advancement of Nigeria.
He stressed that sustainable national development could not be achieved by government alone, charging them to contribute meaningfully wherever they were posted and approach their service year with discipline, dedication, humility and an open mind.
The Governor further encouraged the Corps Members to maximise the opportunities provided by the Orientation Course, particularly the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, which he described as a platform for equipping them with practical competencies beyond their academic qualifications.
He urged them to embrace entrepreneurship, become wealth creators and position themselves as a generation capable of advancing innovation, economic transformation, peace, unity and sustainable development.
He also assured the Corps Members of the Oyo State Government’s commitment to their welfare and security, while urging them to cultivate harmonious relationships with their host communities, respect their cultures and traditions, and contribute positively to community development.
He commended the NYSC management for its sustained commitment to nurturing responsible, patriotic and service oriented Nigerian youths.
In his welcome address, the NYSC Oyo State Coordinator, Mr. Kayode Ola Peters, described the Orientation Course as the first cardinal programme of the Scheme and urged the Corps Members to participate actively in all camp activities.
He explained that the programme was designed to foster discipline, teamwork, resilience, leadership, patriotism and responsible citizenship through paramilitary drills, physical training, lectures, entrepreneurship development, cultural activities, community development orientation and inter platoon competitions.
Peters expressed profound appreciation to the Oyo State Government for its sustained support for the NYSC Scheme, particularly interventions aimed at enhancing the welfare and comfort of Corps Members.
He identified the provision of mattresses at the Permanent Orientation Camp as a significant demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the wellbeing of young Nigerians serving in the state. He also commended camp officials, staff and other stakeholders for their dedication to ensuring a safe, orderly and successful Orientation Course.
The ceremony, which featured the administration of the Oath of Allegiance by Honourable Justice Adewale Taiwo, representing the Chief Judge of Oyo State, was attended by dignitaries and stakeholders, including the Acting Director, South West Area Office Two, Mrs. Elabor Grace; the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, represented by Brigadier General E. Azenda, the Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, Honourable Rasaq Fadiran, the Aseyin of Iseyin, represented, traditional and community leaders, government functionaries, NYSC officials, and members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
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