By CHARLES IWUOHA

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, says that his administration is building a State that can attract and retain the best talent, challenging newly deployed corps members in Abia State to acquaint themselves creditably and earn automatic employment in the state.

This followed the swearing-in of a total of 1,820 youth corps members, comprising 804 males and 1,016 females, of the 2026 Batch 'A', Stream 1 Corp Members newly posted to serve their fatherland in Abia State.

Governor Otti threw the challenge on Friday, January 23, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Umunna, Bende LGA, during the swearing-in ceremony of the corps members.

"It ultimately follows that our eyes shall be on you in the places where you shall be posted to and those who are able to acquaint themselves creditably will get automatic employment in the relevant public sector establishments.

"One philosophy that sets us apart in Abia is that we are only interested in your capacity to add value and function effectively in the stations where you are deployed, not where your grandparents originally hailed from. That is irrelevant to us.

"We are building a State that can attract and retain the best talents because for us, the true wealth of any society is in the quality of its human capital.

"Our State has a long tradition of offering automatic employment to corps members who excel during their service year. The current head of service, Mr. Benson Ojeikere and several others within the civil service are excellent ambassadors of this practise.

"I'm sure you may have heard that our current head of service came here as a youth corper, finished his service as the best corper, and was given automatic employment in the civil service. He rose through the ranks and after over 20 years, he was appointed the head of service and the number one civil servant in Abia State, even though he originally comes from Edo State" Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti who noted that the true essence of the NYSC programme is to expose young Nigerians to the great promise that Nigeria holds, using the vehicle of service, saying that, he is building systems that can adequately cater for the tastes and appetites of young professionals, dreamers, and upwardly mobile individuals and families like the corps members.

He said that the evidence of his aspiration is in the generous investments committed to the development of quality social infrastructure in different parts of the State over the last 32 months and urged them not to take the opportunity of serving in Abia State for granted.

"You will be shortchanging yourself if you fail to make the most of the opportunity that the National Youth Service Programme offers.

"You are certainly at the right place. So, refuse to entertain any fear from any quarters" Gov. Otti stated.

The State Chief Executive assured of his sustained support to the NYSC, instructing the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba to begin the phase 2 upgrade of the facilities in the camp, having completed the phase one.

Gov. Otti disclosed that the phase 2 include; the completion of all the internal roads, pavilion with properly completed ceiling and installation of fans as well as regrassing of the field among others.

Also speaking, the Chairman, the NYSC State Governing Board and Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, while congratulating the corps members on their successes recorded in their various institutions of higher learning, which qualified them for the service, urged them to abide by the rules of engagement and take the aspect of orientation course seriously.

He said that the State government under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti places high premium on hard work and excellence, and is in the habit of rewarding and recognising core members who contribute immensely to the development of the State through initiating and executing meaningful community development service programs.

Sir Ananaba thanked Governor Alex Otti for his support to the NYSC scheme and most importantly, for increasing the corps members allowance, saying that they appreciate Governor's kind gesture.

In her address on behalf of the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Barr. Gladys Adama described the orientation course as a critical component of the NYSC Scheme, designed to equip Corps members with essential skills, knowledge, and values necessary for a successful service year, and advised them to be focused.

"The course content includes training in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development, physical training, lectures, social activities, sports, etc.

"These activities are aimed at instilling discipline, endurance, adaptability, teamwork, and patriotism in our Corps members.

"Remain focused, work hard, obey all instructions that will come your way, and participate actively in all orientation course programmes," Adama stated.

Barr. Adama expressed her gratitude to Governor Otti, for his unwavering support to the NYSC scheme in the State, including rehabilitation works in the camp, the construction of internal road networks, installation of 46 solar-powered street lights, the augmentation of feeding during the orientation course exercise, and the increase in the Corps members State allowance.

Also, in their special presentations, some selected corps members lauded Governor Otti for his kind-heartedness and immeasurable support and assistance extended to them and prayed God to bless him.

The oath of allegiance was administered to the Corps members by the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Agbai, represented by Justice C.E. Anyim, while the Governor had on arrival, inspected the guard of honour mounted by the corps members.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, Barr. Chijioke Nwankwo, the Mayor of Bende LGA among many government officials were present at the ceremony.

•PHOTO: Governor Otti taking the salute during Friday’s swearing-in of 2026 Batch 'A', Stream 1 Corp Members posted to Abia State