Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says his administration is committed to providing an enabling environment for corps members serving in the state.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, stated this on Monday 15th June 2026, while declaring open the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende.
Governor Otti announced that his administration will soon begin the second phase of retrofitting the camp. This includes finishing hostels, staff quarters, and constructing a separate parade ground to make the environment more conducive for corps members to learn.
He urged corps members to make judicious use of their monthly allowance of 77,000 naira, state stipends, and employer allowances. He advised them to save and explore NYSC business funding opportunities to start small-scale businesses after service.
The Governor also called on Local Government Council yet to build corps lodges to do so immediately, saying decent accommodation will motivate corps members deployed to the state.
The Chairman NYSC Governing Board Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, who was represented by the Permanent Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mrs Jane Igwe, urged the new corps members to take every aspect of the orientation course seriously, as it lays the foundation for a successful and impactful service year.
Earlier, the NYSC Abia State Coordinator, Yunusa Tanimu, disclosed that 1,584 corps members have been registered for the batch.
He commended their discipline and assured the Governor that NYSC will deploy corps members’ skills to support government efforts in education, healthcare, agriculture and rural infrastructure.
The corps members were sworn in by Justice Chido Nwakanma, who represented the Chief Judge of the state.
(The Whistler)