NYSC swears in 1,056 corps members in Borno
By Ahmed Ahmed
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Borno has sworn in 1,056 prospective corps members deployed to the state for the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I orientation course.
The State Coordinator, NYSC Borno, Mallam Nasir Bello, disclosed this on Friday during the official opening and swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp, Maiduguri.
Bello said the registered corps members comprised 556 males and 500 females, adding that they had demonstrated discipline and adapted quickly to the regimented camp environment.
He urged the corps members to actively participate in the orientation programme designed to promote discipline, patriotism, leadership, teamwork and national integration.
According to him, the programme includes physical training, citizenship and leadership lectures, paramilitary drills, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), language studies, sports and social activities.
He assured the corps members that Borno was peaceful and their safety remained a priority of the state government.
Bello advised them to respect the culture and traditions of their host communities and shun cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime and religious intolerance.
He particularly encouraged them to take the SAED training seriously to enhance their prospects of becoming self-reliant after the service year.
Also speaking, Gov. Babagana Zulum, represented by Mr Garba Chibok, Permanent Secretary, Administration, Governor’s Office and Chairman, Governing Board, NYSC Borno, described the deployment as symbolic of the sustained peace and stability in the state.
Zulum said corps members had continued to contribute significantly to education, healthcare, agriculture and community development, particularly in resettled communities.
He said the state government was investing heavily in schools, healthcare facilities and other critical infrastructure under its post-insurgency Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation efforts.
The governor said the availability of NYSC members was among the considerations for establishing some of the facilities, expressing confidence that the new corps members would contribute to delivering essential services.
In the 2027 general elections, Zulum reminded the corps members that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), under its Memorandum of Understanding with NYSC, would engage them as ad-hoc personnel.
He urged them to maintain neutrality, impartiality and non-partisanship, stressing that they would be serving as ambassadors of Nigeria.
“Corps members must not be seen as agents of any political party, candidate or interest,” he said.
Zulum also called on security agencies and stakeholders to continue supporting INEC to ensure a free, fair, credible and violence-free election.
Earlier, Prof. Umar Alkali, who represented the Chief Judge of Borno State, administered the Oath of Allegiance to the corps members.
Zulum subsequently declared the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I orientation course officially open.
He welcomed the corps members to Borno, assuring them of the government’s commitment to their security and welfare.
