Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured newly deployed members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state that those who distinguish themselves during their service year will be offered automatic employment in relevant public sector establishments.
Governor Otti gave the assurance on Friday, January 23, at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende Local Government Area, during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,820 corps members, comprising 804 males and 1,016 females, of the 2026 Batch ‘A’, Stream I, deployed to Abia State.
The governor said his administration was deliberately building a state capable of attracting, rewarding and retaining the best talent, urging corps members to conduct themselves creditably at their places of primary assignment.
“Our eyes will be on you in your various places of deployment, and those who acquit themselves creditably will get automatic employment in the relevant public sector establishments,” Otti said.
He stressed that Abia State places premium value on competence and performance rather than ethnic or ancestral considerations.
“One philosophy that sets us apart in Abia is that we are only interested in your capacity to add value and function effectively where you are deployed, not where your grandparents originally hailed from. That is irrelevant to us,” he said.
According to the governor, “We are building a state that can attract and retain the best talents because the true wealth of any society lies in the quality of its human capital.”
Gov Alex Otti with his entourage entering the camp
Governor Otti recalled Abia’s long-standing tradition of offering automatic employment to exceptional corps members, citing the current Head of Service, Mr Benson Ojeikere, as a notable example.
“Our current Head of Service, who hails from Edo State, came to Abia as a corps member, finished as the best corps member and was offered automatic employment. He rose through the ranks and after over 20 years was appointed Head of Service—the number one civil servant in Abia State,” he said.
He explained that the core objective of the NYSC scheme was to expose young Nigerians to the country’s vast potential through national service, adding that his administration was building systems capable of supporting young professionals and upwardly mobile families.
Otti said the investments made by his government over the last 32 months in social infrastructure across the state reflected that commitment, urging the corps members not to take their posting to Abia for granted.
“You will be shortchanging yourself if you fail to make the most of the opportunity the National Youth Service Programme offers. You are certainly in the right place, so refuse to entertain any fear from any quarter,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s continued support for the NYSC scheme and immediately directed the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, to commence Phase II of the upgrade of facilities at the orientation camp.
He said the second phase would include the completion of internal roads, a pavilion with finished ceilings and installed fans, re-grassing of the parade ground, and other improvements.
Earlier, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, who is also Chairman of the NYSC State Governing Board, congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their academic programmes and urged them to take the orientation course seriously and adhere strictly to NYSC rules.
NYSC members
He said the Abia State Government had a tradition of recognising and rewarding corps members who initiate and execute impactful community development projects, and thanked Governor Otti for approving an increase in corps members’ state allowance.
In her address on behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC, the State Coordinator, Barr. Gladys Adama, described the orientation course as a critical component of the scheme designed to equip corps members with the skills, knowledge and values needed for a successful service year.
“The course content includes skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development, physical training, lectures, social activities and sports. These are aimed at instilling discipline, endurance, adaptability, teamwork and patriotism,” she said.
Adama expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his sustained support to the NYSC in Abia, including the rehabilitation of camp facilities, construction of internal road networks, installation of 46 solar-powered street lights, enhanced feeding during orientation, and the upward review of corps members’ allowance.
In their goodwill messages, corps members commended the governor for his generosity and support, praying for God’s continued blessings on him.