The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has appealed to the Abia State Government to commence the second phase of rehabilitation at its Permanent Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Yunusa Tanimu, made the appeal on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A,’ Stream 2 Orientation Course for corps members deployed in the state.
Tanimu reminded Governor Alex Otti of a previous pledge to upgrade facilities at the camp. He also said the camp clinic needed modernization and new equipment to meet the health needs of the growing number of corps members and staff.
“A safer and more conducive camp will greatly enhance the quality of the orientation course and the overall productivity of the scheme in the state,” Tanimu said. He added that the scheme urgently required a functional ambulance, as the one procured over 10 years ago is no longer operational.
He expressed gratitude to the governor for ongoing support, especially efforts to improve camp facilities.
In his remarks, Governor Otti, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Mrs. Jane Maxwell-Igwe, pledged continued support for the scheme to ensure the wellbeing of all corps members in Abia.
Otti noted that retrofitting and providing basic infrastructure at the camp were among his earliest initiatives upon taking office. He encouraged corps members to take advantage of state programmes in ICT, entrepreneurship, and agriculture to prepare for life after NYSC.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, represented by Justice Collington Okoroafor, administered the oath of allegiance to the 1,743 corps members.
