By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has ordered a comprehensive assessment and renovation of facilities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp, signaling a fresh effort to improve the welfare and training environment of corps members posted to the state.
The governor gave the directive on Friday while officially declaring open the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I orientation course for corps members deployed to Katsina State.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Youth Matters, Ahmed Nasir-Malumfashi, Radda directed the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Ministry of Works to jointly evaluate the structural condition of the camp and prepare a detailed report that would guide a full-scale renovation and remodelling of the facility.
He further instructed that the proposed upgrade be captured in the state's 2027 budget, underscoring his administration’s commitment to creating a more conducive environment for youth development and national service.
The governor congratulated the corps members on successfully completing their academic programmes and qualifying for the mandatory national service. He welcomed them to Katsina, describing the state as a land rich in culture, history and hospitality, and assured them of a peaceful and supportive atmosphere throughout their service year.
Radda urged the corps members to make the most of the orientation programme, stressing that it was designed to prepare them mentally, physically and emotionally for the responsibilities ahead. He noted that the exercise would expose participants to key national issues, including governance, security, economic development and Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
He also encouraged them to participate actively in all camp activities and apply the knowledge gained during the three-week programme to positively impact their host communities.
The governor commended previous batches of NYSC members for their contributions to Katsina’s development through Community Development Service (CDS) projects, educational support and healthcare services. According to him, the scheme remains one of Nigeria’s most important platforms for promoting national unity, integration and peaceful coexistence among young people from different backgrounds.
He challenged the corps members to support development efforts in their communities through teaching, healthcare delivery, social mobilisation and public enlightenment campaigns, while urging them to stay away from cultism, intolerance and other forms of anti-social behaviour.
“Uphold the values of service and humility, and use this opportunity to leave a positive mark wherever you are posted,” he advised.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Okwo Evans, disclosed that 1,200 corps members had been successfully registered for the orientation exercise, which began on September 30 and is expected to conclude on October 20.
Evans praised the Katsina State Government for its continued support to the scheme, revealing that recent interventions had significantly improved camp operations and welfare.
He said the government provided 150 mattresses, a deep freezer and other essential equipment to strengthen kitchen operations and food preservation at the camp.
The coordinator also disclosed that the NYSC administrative block and three boreholes had been equipped with solar power systems through the intervention of the Governor’s Special Adviser on Energy, a move that has improved water supply and reduced dependence on conventional electricity.
Despite the progress, Evans appealed to the state government to establish a permanent NYSC secretariat, noting that the federal secretariat currently occupied by the scheme has become dilapidated.
He explained that several agencies sharing the facility were already relocating to their own offices, making the need for a dedicated NYSC secretariat increasingly urgent.
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