National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 have received N1 million in cash prizes, business start-up support and mentorship opportunities at the closing ceremony of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Anambra State.
The programme featured a business proposal writing competition, where representatives of the 10 platoons presented their ideas before a panel of judges.
The competition provided Corps Members with an opportunity to demonstrate how the skills acquired through the SAED programme could be transformed into viable businesses.
Chinaza Abolade, AN/26B/— emerged winner with her proposal for a Naija-made small-business visibility initiative and received N500,000. Judith Inoyi, AN/26B/1949, came second and received N300,000, while Ogochukwu Obaje, AN/26B/1960, placed third with a catfish production proposal and received N200,000.
Beyond the cash prize, Obaje also received additional support from Josranus Global Enterprise, Osumenyi, Nnewi South, owned by Mr. Oramu Joseph. The package includes a crate of eggs monthly for one year and 300 catfish fingerlings to enable the Corps Member commence the proposed agricultural enterprise.
In addition, 20 Corps Members received cash gifts from the Youth Wing President of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC), Mr. Ken Okoli, further underscoring stakeholders’ commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship and rewarding excellence among Corps Members.
The Regional Manager of UBA’s United Capital, Sir Tochukwu Chidebelu, who presented the cash prizes to the winners of the Business Proposal Competition, encouraged the Corps Members to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the NYSC programme and develop their entrepreneurial ideas beyond the orientation camp.
In his address, the Head of SAED, Mr. Ben Obi, explained that the programme was designed to expose Corps Members to practical skills and entrepreneurship opportunities that could prepare them for self-reliance and productive engagement after national service.
The State Coordinator, NYSC Anambra State, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua, commended the Corps Members for their active participation in the training. She, however, cautioned that the few days of training received during the orientation course could not, on their own, make them experts in their chosen fields.
She therefore urged the Corps Members to commence post-camp training immediately after the orientation course, stressing that continuous practice, further training and commitment would be required to attain professional competence and succeed in their chosen skills.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the recitation of the 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra by Corps Members. Mr. Okoli, who described NYSC as an important programme that helps young people discover themselves, pledged to mentor the 20 Corps Members who successfully recited the core values, in addition to the cash rewards he presented to them.
He also pledged that ASTUC youths across the 179 communities in Anambra State would continue to support the wellbeing of Corps Members serving in their respective communities.
The activities, which combined skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship and rewards for excellence, reinforced the objective of the SAED programme to equip Corps Members with practical tools for economic independence.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the State Coordinator subsequently declared the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 SAED programme officially closed.
