Abia State Governor, Mr Alex Otti, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing rehabilitation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of the state.
Otti spoke on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation programme for corps members deployed to Abia.
The governor assured that the second phase of the rehabilitation project would be completed, noting that it would cover internal road construction, fencing, pavilion works and the parade ground.
He said the retrofitting of the camp and provision of basic infrastructure were among his administration’s early commitments upon assuming office.
“I am impressed with the work done so far to make this place befitting for camping corps members. However, there are still areas that require significant improvement, especially as the number of corps members posted to Abia continues to increase,” he said.
Otti stated that his administration was committed to creating a welcoming environment for corps members and attracting young talents capable of contributing meaningfully to the state’s development.
He pledged continued support for the NYSC to ensure the welfare and safety of all corps members serving in the state, while commending the state NYSC leadership for its dedication to corps members’ wellbeing.
The governor encouraged the corps members to take advantage of the state’s human capital development programmes, which focus on ICT skills, entrepreneurship and agriculture, noting that many of them could lay the foundation for globally competitive enterprises in Abia.
Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, thanked the governor for his consistent support to the scheme and appealed for swift commencement and completion of the camp’s second rehabilitation phase.
She also urged the state government to fast-track the relocation of the NYSC State Secretariat on Finbarrs’ Road, describing the facility as uninhabitable.
Adama further appealed for the provision of a coaster bus, a utility vehicle and an ambulance to improve operational logistics, adding that the camp currently relies on generators due to the absence of electricity from the national grid.
A total of 1,820 corps members took the oath of allegiance at the ceremony, administered by the Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, who was represented by Justice E.C. Anyim.