No fewer than 3,414 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to Rivers State have taken the oath of allegiance, formally commencing their one-year national service in the state.
The corps members, comprising the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream I, took the oath at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, in Tai Local Government Area, during a ceremony presided over by Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Promise Oguzie, Fubara described the corps members as “critical assets to the growth and development of Rivers State.”
He urged them to approach their service year with commitment, discipline and a strong sense of responsibility, stressing the importance of their contribution to the development of their host communities and the state.
The governor also called on the management of the NYSC to continue to introduce pragmatic reforms that would keep the scheme relevant to the changing realities and aspirations of young Nigerian graduates.
He urged the managers of the scheme to expand the scope and operations of its flagship programmes to deepen their impact and sustain public confidence in the NYSC.
Fubara also charged the corps members to uphold integrity, honesty and patriotism when called upon to serve as ad hoc personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2027 general elections.
He said they had a responsibility to repay the confidence Nigerians reposed in them by conducting themselves with integrity, honesty, patriotism and the fear of God.
Earlier, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Moses Oleghe, expressed confidence that the corps members were physically, mentally, psychologically and emotionally prepared for the demands of national service.
Oleghe urged them to use their service year to make meaningful contributions to their host communities while demonstrating discipline and commitment to national unity.
He also commended Governor Fubara for approving the construction of 1,000-capacity hostel facilities each for male and female corps members, as well as a new NYSC state secretariat and State Coordinator’s lodge.
The NYSC coordinator expressed optimism that contractors handling the projects would soon be mobilised to site.
The administration of the oath of allegiance to the 3,414 corps members was conducted by Justice Frank Onyiri on behalf of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, formally ushering the corps members into the service year.
The ceremony marked the beginning of their statutory national service in Rivers State, where they are expected to contribute to communities across the state while gaining professional and civic experience.