Chidinma Iroegbu
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu, on Monday urged prospective corps members to embrace discipline, unity and national service at the Batch A Stream II orientation camp in Kubwa, Abuja.
Speaking during a physical interaction at the FCT orientation camp, Nafiu said the scheme remains a critical platform for national integration and youth development.
He addressed corps members deployed to the FCT and Lagos camps, noting that both locations attract large postings due to population and strategic relevance.
Nafiu told the corps members that orientation camp was not for comfort, urging them to adjust to discipline, responsibility and self-reliance.
“It is no longer free food no more executive lifestyle. Wake up! You can’t keep disturbing your parents for money. Work has begun,” he stated.
He reiterated the need to obey NYSC by-laws, warning against unauthorised travel and stressing that violations would attract sanctions.
The DG encouraged corps members to build relationships across ethnic and religious lines, noting that national unity remains the core objective of the scheme.
“This is how we build a united Nigeria… make friends across the 36 states,” he said.
Nafiu also highlighted government investment in education, noting that many paid between ₦35,000 and ₦50,000 in public institutions compared to higher fees in private schools.
He urged them to make their service year count by discovering their purpose and contributing meaningfully to national development, stressing that “your degree and service must have value.”