Brigadier General OO Nafiu, Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has charged corps members serving in Oyo State to embrace their roles with a strong sense of duty, stressing that the future and survival of Nigeria lie in their hands.
He made the statement during his official visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Iseyin, where he addressed members of the 2025 Batch A Stream 2 currently undergoing orientation.
Welcomed warmly by the corps members, the NYSC DG congratulated them for meeting the requirements for national service, describing the opportunity as a call to patriotic service that must be approached with commitment and responsibility.
Highlighting the importance of youth involvement in national development, Brig. Gen. Nafiu encouraged the corps members to work together to build a better Nigeria, noting that the task of nation-building cannot be left to outsiders. “No foreigner will develop our country for us,” he said, urging them to be selfless and focused.
He described the NYSC scheme as a platform that fosters national unity by bringing together Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds, and advised the corps members to make the most of their time by building friendships and understanding across cultures. He also encouraged them to engage positively with their host communities and respect local traditions.
Speaking on the relevance of the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the DG urged the corps members to take it seriously, assuring them of continued support from the scheme, particularly through collaborations with financial institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Access Bank, and Wema Bank, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs.
He advised the corps members to adopt prudent financial habits by saving from their monthly allowances and begin planning ahead for life after service, rather than relying on the uncertain prospects of white-collar jobs. He further encouraged them to uphold discipline, maintain good conduct, and always portray the NYSC in a positive light.
Earlier, the NYSC Oyo State Coordinator, Mr. Kayode Ola Peters, welcomed the Director General and briefed him on activities at the camp. He also commended the current batch of corps members, describing them as impressive and cooperative.
The visit concluded with a display of traditional dances by the camp’s cultural troupe, as well as the presentation of tokens of appreciation to selected corps members who had taken active roles in various camp activities.
