The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has charged corps members in Anambra State to embrace entrepreneurship, build meaningful networks and prioritise their personal security throughout their service year.
Nafiu gave the charge on Sunday, October 11, 2026, during a visit to the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, where he addressed members of the 2026 Batch C, Stream one.
The NYSC Director-General described the skills acquired through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme as essential for life after service, urging the corps members to take the initiative seriously.
He emphasised that “the skill you learn is your saving grace,” noting that entrepreneurial knowledge and practical skills could open up opportunities for self-employment and economic independence after their national service.
Nafiu also encouraged the corps members to cultivate purposeful friendships and expand their professional and personal networks, explaining that relationships established during the service year could develop into valuable connections in the future.
On security, he assured the corps members that the NYSC was collaborating with relevant security agencies to prevent a recurrence of the reported kidnapping of prospective corps members.
He cautioned them against travelling at night and urged them to remain vigilant, security-conscious and responsible in their movements throughout the service year.
The Director-General further advised the corps members to accept their places of primary assignment in good faith, stressing that competence, practical knowledge and the ability to apply acquired skills were as important as academic qualifications.
He also urged them to respect the people, cultures, traditions and laws of their host communities as part of their responsibility to promote national unity and peaceful coexistence.
In her address, the Anambra State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Pauline Ojisua, reported that the corps members had demonstrated discipline, adding that camp officials and corps members were working together as a team to ensure the smooth running of the orientation exercise.
The visit featured the inspection of a Quarter Guard mounted in honour of the Director-General, cultural dance performances by the NYSC cultural troupe and a martial arts demonstration that impressed the visiting official. The corps members also welcomed him with three hearty cheers.
As a gesture of goodwill, Nafiu donated two cows to the corps members and personally served them lunch, demonstrating the management’s concern for their welfare.
