EDO STATE GOVT ASSURES 1,996 CORPS MEMBERS OF SAFETY, WELFARE

By Favour Airojie

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety, welfare and overall well-being of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were deployed to the State, assuring them of a conducive environment for a rewarding service year.

The Governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Director of Youth Affairs, Mr. Irabor Anthony, gave the assurance during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members which held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada, on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Sen. Okpebholo urged them to embrace discipline, patriotism and the core values of the NYSC Scheme by participating actively in all Camp’s activities designed to prepare them for national service. He encouraged the corps members to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, education, technology, entrepreneurship and tourism, noting that such sectors align with the Edo State Government’s vision of empowering young people and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

The Governor advised them to maximise the opportunities provided through the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire practical and entrepreneurial skills that would enhance their self-reliance beyond the service year. He urged the corps members to make meaningful contributions to their host communities through quality service in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture and community development.

Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Fasina Adedotun J., disclosed that a total of 1,996 corps members, comprising 904 males and 1,092 females were deployed to Edo State for the Orientation exercise. He congratulated the corps members on their successful deployment and urged them to remain disciplined, dedicated and willing to learn throughout the orientation course and their service year.

Mr. Fasina noted that the NYSC Scheme has continued to contribute significantly to Edo State’s development through the deployment of corps members to critical sectors, as well as the implementation of its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) and SAED programmes across the State’s 18 local government areas.

The State Coordinator appreciated the Edo State Government for its continued support to the Scheme, particularly the provision of buses to convey corps members to their respective places of primary assignment after the Orientation exercise. He appreciated the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and personal development of corps members serving in Edo State, and described the administration’s support as instrumental to the success of the NYSC Scheme in the State.