Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor | Journalist at Weng Global
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state to see their service year as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Nigeriaโs development.
The governor said the country needs the energy, creativity, patriotism and fresh ideas of young Nigerians to overcome its development challenges and build a stronger future.
Eno made the call as Akwa Ibom received members of the 2026 Batch B Stream I corps members deployed to the state for their national service.
According to reports, 1,471 corps members were deployed to Akwa Ibom for the service year. The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, urged the corps members to remain committed to peace, unity and national development.
He also cautioned them against associating with individuals or groups that could encourage violence, division and social unrest.
The governorโs message reflects his administrationโs broader emphasis on youth development, peaceful coexistence and the active participation of young people in the affairs of the state and country.
๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ต๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฏ๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Governor Eno has repeatedly described young people as important stakeholders in Nigeriaโs future.
In January 2026, he similarly urged NYSC members deployed to Akwa Ibom to channel their intellect and creativity towards national development.
During the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch A Stream 1 corps members, the governor said their responsibilities extended beyond their immediate places of assignment, stressing that their contributions should help strengthen the Nigerian project across ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural boundaries.
The latest appeal therefore reinforces a consistent message from the Akwa Ibom government: corps members should not regard the NYSC programme simply as a compulsory period of national service but as an avenue to make a positive impact on the communities where they are deployed.
For many young graduates, the NYSC programme provides an opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the country, experience new cultures and develop relationships outside their immediate communities.
Eno encouraged the corps members to take advantage of that opportunity by building relationships that can extend beyond the service year.
๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ก๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ
One of the important objectives of the NYSC scheme is national integration.
Corps members are posted away from their states of origin, bringing together young Nigerians from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
For Eno, that diversity should be treated as an opportunity rather than a source of division.
The governor urged the corps members to associate with people who promote peace and unity, while avoiding individuals and groups whose activities could undermine peaceful coexistence.
His message comes at a time when young Nigerians are increasingly expected to play a greater role in shaping the country’s social and economic future.
Rather than allowing differences in background to create barriers, the corps members can use their service experience to understand other communities, exchange ideas and develop networks that may become useful throughout their professional lives.
๐๐ธ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐บ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฝ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
The governorโs latest remarks also come against the backdrop of his administrationโs efforts to improve the experience of young people serving in the state.
In July, Eno commended corps members for their dedication and contributions to development while reaffirming his administrationโs commitment to creating an enabling environment for them.
At the 2026 NYSC Corps Employersโ Workshop in Uyo, the governor also encouraged corps members to look beyond traditional employment and consider entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic independence.
He specifically encouraged young graduates to take advantage of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme rather than depending entirely on scarce white-collar employment opportunities after their service year.
The position highlights the importance of equipping young Nigerians with practical skills that can enable them to create employment for themselves and others.
๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฎ ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐
Eno has also challenged corps members serving in Akwa Ibom to leave behind meaningful legacies.
At the closing ceremony of the 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation course in June, the governor urged corps members to integrate with their host communities, respect local cultures and build on the achievements of previous corps members.
That approach places emphasis on community service and the long-term impact of the NYSC programme.
Corps members are expected to contribute to their host communities through their professional skills, Community Development Service projects and other initiatives capable of improving the lives of residents.
For a young teacher, for example, the service year could provide an opportunity to improve learning outcomes in a school. For a health professional, it could mean supporting healthcare delivery, while graduates in technology, agriculture, engineering or other fields may identify practical solutions to challenges within their communities.
๐๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐
Beyond professional development, Eno urged the corps members to protect the peace in their host communities.
He warned against being drawn into activities that could promote violence, division or unrest, emphasizing the importance of associating with people committed to peace and national development.
The warning is particularly significant because corps members live and work within communities during their service year and can become important links between their host communities and the wider Nigerian society.
Their conduct, therefore, can influence how people perceive young Nigerians from different parts of the country.
๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ถ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐
For Governor Eno, the NYSC experience should ultimately prepare young Nigerians to become responsible contributors to society.
His message to the corps members is that Nigeriaโs future cannot be built by government alone. Young people must also bring their knowledge, creativity, entrepreneurial abilities and commitment to the development process.
The call for fresh ideas is particularly relevant as Nigeria faces challenges ranging from unemployment and economic pressure to insecurity, skills gaps and the need for stronger social cohesion.
The corps members represent a generation entering the workforce at a critical period. Their ability to innovate, collaborate across cultural boundaries and develop practical solutions could play an important role in determining the country’s future.
As they continue their service year in Akwa Ibom, the governor has therefore encouraged them to make meaningful connections, respect their host communities, remain peaceful and use their skills to create positive change.
Ultimately, the NYSC experience is more than a one-year assignment. For thousands of young Nigerians, it can become the beginning of lifelong friendships, professional networks, entrepreneurial ventures and community-impact initiatives.
Governor Enoโs message is clear: Nigeria expects young people to do more than complete their service. The country expects them to help shape what comes next.
Sources: Punch Newspapers; Radio Nigeria South South; Akwa Ibom State Government.
