The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has commended Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, for creating a peaceful and conducive environment for corps members serving in the State.
Brigadier General Nafiu gave the commendation on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Otti in his office.
The NYSC DG disclosed that 8,890 corps members are currently serving across Abia State, comprising 5,083 females and 3,805 males. He noted that the higher number of female corps members is a strong indication of the relative peace and security enjoyed in the State.
“To us in NYSC, especially at the management level, any State where you find more female corps members than male, it speaks to something, and that is that there is peace,” Brigadier-General Nafiu stated.
He explained that NYSC does not deploy corps members to areas considered unsafe, adding that corps members have been deployed to all the 17 Local Government Areas of Abia, unlike some States where security concerns have prevented deployment to certain locations.
Brigadier-General Nafiu lauded the Governor for the ongoing renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Umunna, Bende LGA, particularly the hostels, multipurpose hall, and the installation of solar-powered streetlights. He described the improvements as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of corps members.
He also appreciated the Governor for the upward review of the State allowance for corps members, noting that the gesture has generated excitement among corps members serving in Abia.
The DG further commended Abia for providing a favourable environment for medical personnel, revealing that the State currently has a significant number of NYSC medical corps members serving in various locations, including 53 doctors, 53 pharmacists, and 117 nurses, among other medical personnel.
He said the willingness of medical corps members to serve in Abia indicates that the State is increasingly being regarded as a conducive environment for national service. He expressed hope that the second phase of renovations at the Orientation Camp would commence soon and be delivered like the first phase.
Receiving the delegation, Governor Otti directed the commencement of the second phase of renovations and infrastructural interventions at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Umunna, Bende LGA.
The Governor noted that his administration had already commenced the first phase of renovations and building works in the camp, and has now approved the second phase.
“And I’m glad with the progress that we have made, though we are not there yet. So, work will start very soon. I have already approved it,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Governor said he was happy to hear that NYSC in Abia has more than 340 healthcare professionals, and stressed that healthcare remains a priority area for his administration.
“It’s an area that is so important to us. If you spend a little bit more time, you would notice that we have fixed about 200 primary health care centres. We also have another 77 that were fixed by the World Bank. And as of Monday, we have functionalised 151 of them. So there are 49 more that are ready to start operations.
“The minimum standard is that every primary health care centre must have some professionals. And if we don’t get those professionals, we don’t start. We wanted to hire 861 healthcare professionals. We got only 605. So I just authorised the Civil Service Commission to go back and re-advertise, because we have a gap of over 200 people.
“So, with this number of NYSC healthcare professionals, we may not be looking for that number, but of course, it’s short-term, because after a year they will leave. But at least they will fill the gap. So I’m happy, and I would like that even more people should be considered for this place, if it is within your power to do so in the next batch. So, I think the only other thing to say is that we will continue to cooperate with you,” Gov. Otti stated.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, and other members of the State Executive Council were present at the visit.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
August 12, 2026.
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