Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 4,485 corps members deployed to the state for the 2026 Batch C Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course to contribute meaningfully to the success of the 2027 general elections and national development.
Fubara, who gave the charge on Friday at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, urged the corps members to repay the confidence reposed in them by Nigerians through patriotism, integrity and selfless service.
The governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Promise Oguzie, gave the charge while declaring the orientation course open.
He assured the corps members of his administration’s commitment to prioritising their security and welfare throughout their service year.
Fubara also urged them to reciprocate the love, support and goodwill of Rivers people by working diligently to make meaningful contributions to the development of the state.
The governor’s charge comes as the 4,485 corps members represent a significant deployment to Rivers State, with the state NYSC Coordinator, Moses Oleghe, describing the batch as the largest number of corps members ever posted to the state.
Oleghe attributed the high deployment to the attractive welfare packages provided for corps members serving in Rivers, but expressed concern over the pressure the increased number had placed on accommodation facilities at the orientation camp.
He appealed to the state government to urgently mobilise contractors to commence work on the approved 1,000-capacity hostels for male and female corps members to address the accommodation challenges.
The NYSC coordinator also urged the corps members to uphold moral values, neutrality, patriotism, integrity, honesty and transparency, particularly in their roles as ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2027 general elections.
He said their conduct would be critical to strengthening the nation’s democracy and ensuring the emergence of credible leaders at all levels.
The 4,485 corps members were subsequently sworn in by Justice Victor Ugorji, who represented the Chief Judge of Rivers State.
