Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as one of Nigeria’s most enduring and successful institutions for nation-building, national integration and unity.
Mutfwang said this on Friday at the official opening and swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch “B” Stream II corps members’ orientation exercise in Plateau.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Musa Ashoms, the governor said that for more than five decades, the NYSC had promoted national integration, fostered cultural understanding and strengthened unity among Nigerians.
He said the scheme provided young Nigerians with opportunities to live, learn and serve in communities different from their own, thereby contributing to the collective vision of a united and prosperous nation.
Mutfwang said Plateau continued to exemplify resilience, peaceful coexistence and the determination of diverse communities to live and thrive together in harmony.
He urged the corps members to take advantage of their deployment to learn about the state’s diverse cultures and contribute positively to their host communities.
The governor tasked the newly sworn-in corps members to pay special attention to the orientation course content and adhere strictly to the by-laws of the scheme.
He also urged them to imbibe the spirit of discipline, patriotism, self-reliance and leadership, which, he said, would equip them for the service year and beyond.
“Uphold the core values of discipline, patriotism and selfless service and perform your duties with diligence,” he said.
Mutfwang further urged the corps members to position themselves as positive and dependable agents of transformation by shunning misinformation, divisive narratives and sentiments capable of undermining national unity.
He reassured them that his administration, in collaboration with security agencies, was working to sustain the peace and stability restored in the state.
“Let me assure you that your safety and well-being are top priorities for my administration.
“We will continue to work closely with all relevant security agencies to safeguard peace and stability throughout the state,” he said.
Earlier, the Plateau NYSC Coordinator, Mr Jonathan Yavala, urged the newly sworn-in corps members to participate actively in all camp activities, particularly the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (SAED).
Yavala said the programme would prepare them for the rigours of the service year and life beyond the scheme.
He commended the Plateau Government for its continued support for the NYSC scheme in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 3,011 corps members registered for the orientation exercise.(NAN)
