Okpebholo urges corps members to embrace discipline, acquire skills and contribute to Edo’s development
The Edo State Government has assured the 1,996 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II service year of adequate security, welfare and a conducive environment throughout their national service.
Governor Monday Okpebholo gave the assurance during the swearing-in ceremony held on Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
Represented by the Director of Youth Affairs, Mr. Irabor Anthony, the governor said his administration remains committed to protecting corps members and ensuring they enjoy a rewarding service year while contributing to the development of Edo State.
He urged the corps members to uphold discipline, patriotism and the core values of the NYSC Scheme by participating actively in all orientation camp activities designed to prepare them for national service.
Governor Okpebholo encouraged the corps members to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, education, technology, entrepreneurship and tourism, describing the sectors as key drivers of Edo State’s economic growth and youth empowerment agenda.
He also advised them to make full use of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire practical vocational and entrepreneurial skills that would make them self-reliant after completing their service year.
The governor further called on the corps members to leave lasting impacts in their host communities by rendering quality service in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture and community development.
Earlier, the Edo State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Fasina Adedotun J., disclosed that a total of 1,996 corps members were deployed to Edo State for the orientation exercise, comprising 904 males and 1,092 females.
He congratulated the corps members on their successful deployment and urged them to remain disciplined, dedicated and committed throughout the orientation programme and their one-year national service.
According to the coordinator, the NYSC Scheme has continued to play a significant role in Edo State’s development through the deployment of corps members to essential sectors of the economy, as well as through programmes such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) and the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) initiative across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Fasina commended the Edo State Government for its continuous support to the NYSC Scheme, particularly the provision of buses to transport corps members to their various places of primary assignment after the orientation exercise.
He also praised Governor Okpebholo for prioritising the security, welfare and personal development of corps members, describing the administration’s support as crucial to the successful implementation of the NYSC programme in Edo State.
The swearing-in ceremony officially marked the commencement of the three-week orientation exercise, during which the corps members will undergo leadership training, physical drills, lectures on national values, entrepreneurship development and other activities aimed at preparing them for effective national service.
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