Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Gombe State Government has assured 1,502 newly deployed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of adequate security, welfare and support throughout their mandatory service year in the state.
The assurance was given on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch C Stream I corps members at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Amada, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The new batch comprises 803 male and 699 female corps members, according to the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachuku.
Gombe Government Pledges Support
Representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the ceremony, Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development, Abdullahi Waziri, urged the corps members to regard Gombe as their home and contribute positively to the development of the state.
Waziri said the governor was unable to attend the ceremony because of other official commitments but had directed him to represent the government and convey his message to the newly deployed corps members.
He encouraged them to approach their service year with commitment and make meaningful contributions to communities where they would be posted.
The commissioner also reiterated the state government’s commitment to the safety and welfare of corps members.
According to him, security arrangements are put in place whenever corps members arrive in the state to help protect them throughout their deployment.
He described Gombe as a peaceful state and urged the corps members to carry out their national assignment without fear or intimidation.
1,502 Corps Members Sworn In
The 1,502 corps members were formally sworn in as part of the commencement of the 2026 Batch C Stream I orientation exercise.
The figure represents a slight increase from the 1,349 corps members registered for the 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation exercise in Gombe, according to an earlier report on the NYSC programme in the state.
The deployment brings hundreds of young Nigerian graduates into communities and institutions across Gombe for the next phase of their national service.
The NYSC scheme is designed to promote national integration while providing manpower to communities and institutions across Nigeria.
NYSC Coordinator Urges Corps Members to Make an Impact
The Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachuku, urged the newly deployed corps members to obey the law, remain disciplined and contribute meaningfully to community development.
Nwachuku said the corps members should seek to leave a positive legacy in the communities where they would serve.
She also encouraged them to approach their service year with an open mind and use the opportunity to learn from the people and communities around them.
The coordinator commended the Gombe State Government for its continued support for the NYSC scheme, particularly in relation to facilities at the orientation camp and assistance with feeding arrangements.
She also appreciated residents of the state for their hospitality towards corps members.
Security Remains a Key Concern
Security has remained an important consideration for the NYSC programme, particularly as corps members are deployed across different parts of Nigeria.
In Gombe, authorities have repeatedly highlighted security arrangements around the orientation exercise.
During the 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation exercise, Nwachuku disclosed that personnel from the Nigerian Air Force’s 109 Combat Reconnaissance Group had been conducting aerial drone surveillance around the camp as part of security measures. She also identified challenges associated with operating a temporary orientation camp, including electricity supply and infrastructure limitations.
The state government’s latest assurance therefore comes as the new corps members begin their service year and prepare for deployment to their respective places of primary assignment.
Gombe’s Support for the NYSC Scheme
The state government has also previously been commended for supporting the NYSC programme.
In May 2026, Nwachuku described the Gombe administration as supportive of corps members and said the government had prioritised their safety and welfare.
In September, the state government also commissioned a newly constructed 10-bedroom NYSC lodge and an upgraded dispensary at Malam Sidi, further adding to facilities supporting corps members in the state. Voice of Nigeria reported the development as part of the government’s support for the NYSC programme.
The development of permanent and improved orientation facilities has also been linked to efforts to provide better conditions for corps members.
In June, the NYSC Director-General commended Gombe State for providing a conducive orientation facility and urged other states to develop permanent camps.
Why the Deployment Matters
The arrival of 1,502 corps members adds another group of young graduates to institutions and communities across Gombe State.
Corps members routinely serve in areas including education, healthcare, public administration and other sectors, helping institutions supplement available manpower.
Beyond their assigned duties, the NYSC programme also encourages community development and participation in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.
For the newly deployed corps members, the year ahead will therefore involve both professional service and engagement with communities outside their home states.
The Gombe government and NYSC authorities have now placed emphasis on ensuring that the corps members remain safe, disciplined and productive throughout the service period.
The immediate next stage will be the completion of the orientation programme, after which the corps members will proceed to their various places of primary assignment across the state.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), report on the 2026 Batch C Stream I orientation exercise in Gombe.
- Punch, report on Gombe’s support for NYSC and statements by the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator.
- Periscope Nigeria, report on the 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation exercise and security arrangements in Gombe.
- Voice of Nigeria, report on Gombe’s NYSC infrastructure development.
