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The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members deployed to Rivers State to embrace their orientation camp activities and develop the leadership skills needed to serve the country effectively.
Nafiu gave the charge while addressing members of the 2026 Batch C, Stream I at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He urged the corps members to take advantage of the orientation programme to prepare themselves for leadership responsibilities, stressing the need to become adequately trained and equipped to provide effective leadership now and in the future.
The NYSC DG also encouraged them to take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme seriously, both during and after the orientation course, to enable them to create sustainable wealth through multiple income streams.
He advised the corps members to remain security-conscious, avoid night journeys and shun the misuse of social media and other negative behaviours that could expose them to danger.
In the 2027 general elections, Nafiu urged them to remain politically neutral, honest and credible while discharging their duties as ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He emphasised that their conduct during the electoral process must reflect integrity and inspire public confidence in the nation's electoral system.
The Director-General also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved an upward review of corps members' feeding allowance during orientation camp, while arrangements were underway to improve the quality of kits supplied to them, with implementation expected next year.
Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Moses Oleghe, informed the DG that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had approved an immediate increase in the state government's allowance for corps members serving in Rivers State.
According to Oleghe, corps members posted to urban areas would receive ₦20,000, while those deployed to rural communities would receive ₦35,000.
He said the approval, alongside other achievements recorded under his administration, reflected the state government's commitment to the welfare of corps members.
Nafiu was accompanied on the visit by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Carol William Embu; Director of Special Duties, Mr. George Mfongang; and Acting Director of the NYSC South-South Area Office II, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Olayinka Diana Nasamu.
