By Leonard Okachie
Gov. Alex Otti has expressed satisfaction with the rehabilitation of the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area.
He spoke on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation for corps members deployed to Abia.
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Otti assured that the second phase of rehabilitation would be completed, covering internal roads, fencing, pavilion works and the parade ground.
He said retrofitting and provision of basic infrastructure at the camp were among his administration’s earliest commitments on assuming office.
“I am impressed with the work done to make this place befitting for camping corps members.
“But there are still areas needing significant improvement, especially as the number of corps members posted to Abia keeps increasing,” he said.
Otti said the administration was committed to welcoming corps members and attracting talents capable of contributing to the state’s development.
He pledged continuous support to the NYSC to ensure the welfare and safety of all corps members serving in Abia.
The governor thanked the state NYSC leadership for what he described as their unyielding commitment to corps members’ wellbeing.
Otti said many corps members could lay foundations of global enterprises in Abia in the near future.
He urged them to register for various human capital development programmes of his administration.
According to him, the initiatives focus on ICT skills, entrepreneurship and agriculture for young people with diverse ambitions.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, thanked the governor for his unwavering support to the scheme.
She appealed for intervention to hasten the beginning and completion of the camp’s second rehabilitation phase.
Adama also urged the governor to fast-track relocation of the Finbarrs’ Road NYSC State Secretariat, describing it as uninhabitable.
“This camp still runs on generators round the clock due to lack of electricity from the national grid,” she said.
She further appealed for a coaster bus, a utility vehicle and an ambulance to ease operational logistics.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 1,820 corps members took the oath of allegiance during the ceremony.
The oath was administered by Abia Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, represented by Justice E.C. Anyim. (NAN)
