Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as Nigeria’s most enduring and impactful platform for promoting national unity, integration and youth development, saying the scheme continues to shape a shared national identity among young Nigerians.
The governor stated this on Friday at the swearing-in and opening ceremony of the 2026 Batch A Stream II orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ede. He was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Moshood Olagunju.
Governor Adeleke said the NYSC has consistently brought together young graduates from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to live and work together in the spirit of unity and patriotism.
He noted that the service year goes beyond fulfilling a national obligation, describing it as a period for personal growth, leadership development and meaningful contribution to society.
“The National Youth Service Corps remains one of Nigeria’s most enduring and impactful institutions for promoting national unity, integration and youth development by bringing young graduates from diverse backgrounds to live and work together,” he said. “The scheme continues to foster mutual understanding, tolerance and a shared national identity.”
The governor urged the corps members to embrace the service year with discipline, purpose and patriotism, while making the most of the opportunities it offers.
He added that Osun State has benefitted significantly from the dedication and innovation of corps members over the years, particularly in the areas of education, health, agriculture and community development. According to him, many communities across the state continue to enjoy the impact of projects executed by corps members who served with diligence and integrity.
Adeleke also advised the corps members to respect the customs and traditions of their host communities, describing the people of Osun as warm and accommodating. He assured them of a safe and enabling environment throughout their service year.
“Be law-abiding, respectful and sensitive to the customs and traditions of your host communities,” he said. “Build networks, acquire useful skills and leave positive footprints in the communities you serve.”
Earlier, the Osun State NYSC Coordinator, Kubiangha Ekeng Ita, disclosed that a total of 2,000 corps members — comprising 880 males and 1,120 females — had been deployed to the state for the mandatory one-year service.
He reminded the corps members that they are ambassadors of unity and symbols of hope, stressing that the NYSC was established to promote national integration, foster patriotism, develop disciplined and responsible youths, and deploy educated manpower for national development.
Kubiangha also cautioned corps members against the misuse of social media, urging them to uphold the values of the scheme in their online activities.
“I strongly caution you to use social media responsibly. Avoid posting sensitive camp activities or internal protocols online under the guise of content creation,” he said, warning that unauthorised content could compromise security and undermine the integrity of the orientation programme.
