The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has commended the progress of renovation work at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Abia State, saying the facility is now in a much better condition than when he last visited.

Nafiu spoke with journalists on Wednesday during an official visit to the 2026 Batch B Stream 2 Orientation Exercise at the camp in Umunna, Bende Local Government Area of the state.

He disclosed that the first phase of the renovation had been completed, with the commencement of the second phase still being awaited.

“I visited the corps members to assess first-hand the progress of the 2026 Batch B Stream 2 orientation exercise that is ongoing. The last time I came here, the facilities were in a terrible state. But today, at least Phase 1 of the renovation exercise has been concluded,” he said.

The NYSC boss also highlighted the contributions of corps members deployed to Abia State, noting that they were supporting the state’s socio-economic development in areas including health, education and engineering.

He explained that the corps members were not only in the state to serve but also to integrate with local communities, promote national unity and learn about the culture of the people.

“These people are here to serve the nation. They are here to integrate into society and foster national unity and cultural cohesion. They are here to learn from the people of Abia State,” he stated.

Nafiu disclosed that more than 53 doctors and 112 nurses under the NYSC scheme were currently serving in Abia State, alongside teachers, engineers and other professionals.

He urged the corps members to respect the culture and values of their host communities and conduct themselves as good ambassadors of the scheme.

“My charge to them is that they should be good guests. Respect the culture, the values of the people of Abia State,” he said.

He also appealed to residents of the state to warmly receive the corps members and treat them as members of their communities.

“My request to the people of Abia State is to see these people as their own children, their brothers and sisters. Welcome them, receive them with open arms,” Nafiu added.

The Director-General stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the NYSC and the Abia State Government to maximise the benefits of the scheme to the state.

He said he would use his planned meeting with Governor Alex Otti to present further requests for government support, while acknowledging the governor’s responsiveness to the scheme.

“His Excellency has graciously agreed to grant me audience. From here I’m going to have an engagement with His Excellency and will be able to table further requests to him. His Excellency has been responsive, but we will discuss further,” he said.

Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator in Abia, Mr Yunusa Tanimu, disclosed that a total of 1,753 corps members, comprising 760 males and 993 females, had registered for the orientation exercise.

Tanimu described the corps members as disciplined, enthusiastic and adaptable to the regimented environment of the orientation camp.

He said activities at the camp, including lectures, parade drills, military manoeuvres, sports, social activities and the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, were progressing smoothly, with corps members actively participating.

According to him, the camp clinic is staffed by 12 medical doctors, 19 nurses, 13 pharmacists and 21 other health personnel. They are also supported by a doctor and a nurse from the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, to provide healthcare services to members of the camp community.

The state coordinator further said security around the camp had remained relatively stable, noting that the NYSC was collaborating with security and law enforcement agencies to improve intelligence gathering, access control and overall security within and around the facility.

Tanimu also highlighted some improvements recorded at the camp since he assumed office.

He said 251 plastic chairs were procured during the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course, while an additional 110 chairs had been purchased for the ongoing exercise.

He added that the camp entrance and outer walls had been painted and decorated with NYSC inscriptions.

A ramp was also constructed at the multipurpose hall to provide wheelchair access to the stage, in line with the NYSC’s policy on inclusivity.