Borno swears in 1,056 corps members, assures them of safety
By Ahmed Kaigama
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Borno has sworn in 1,056 prospective corps members deployed for the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I orientation course.
The corps members comprise 556 males and 500 females, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mallam Nasir Bello, disclosed on Friday.
Bello spoke during the official opening and swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC Temporary Orientation Camp in Maiduguri.
He said the corps members had demonstrated discipline and quickly adapted to the regimented environment of the orientation camp.
According to him, the orientation programme was designed to promote discipline, patriotism, leadership, teamwork and national integration among participants.
Bello said activities would include physical training, citizenship and leadership lectures, paramilitary drills, Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), language studies, sports and social activities.
He assured the corps members that Borno was peaceful and that their safety remained a priority of the state government.
Bello urged them to respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities while avoiding conduct capable of undermining peaceful coexistence.
He specifically cautioned the corps members against cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime and religious intolerance throughout their service year.
The coordinator encouraged them to take SAED training seriously, saying it could improve their prospects of becoming self-reliant after completing national service.
Also speaking, Borno governor, Babagana Zulum, represented by Mr Garba Chibok, described their deployment as symbolic of sustained peace and stability in the state.
Chibok is Permanent Secretary, Administration, Governor’s Office and Chairman of the NYSC Borno Governing Board.
Zulum said corps members had continued contributing significantly to education, healthcare, agriculture and community development, particularly in resettled communities.
He said the state government was investing heavily in schools, healthcare facilities and critical infrastructure through its post-insurgency Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation efforts.
The governor said NYSC members were considered when establishing some facilities, expressing confidence in their contributions to essential service delivery.
Zulum also reminded the corps members that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would engage them as ad-hoc personnel during the 2027 general elections.
He said their engagement would be based on the Memorandum of Understanding between INEC and NYSC.
The governor urged them to maintain neutrality, impartiality and non-partisanship, stressing that they would serve as ambassadors of Nigeria.
“Corps members must not be seen as agents of any political party, candidate or interest,” he said.
Zulum urged security agencies and other stakeholders to continue supporting INEC towards ensuring free, fair, credible and violence-free elections.
Earlier, Prof. Umar Alkali, representing the Chief Judge of Borno, administered the Oath of Allegiance to the corps members.
Zulum subsequently declared the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I orientation course officially open.
He welcomed the corps members to Borno and assured them of the state government’s commitment to their security and welfare.
NAN
