Katsina To Renovate Dilapidated NYSC Camp

The Katsina State government has pledged to renovate dilapidated facilities at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in 2027 as part of efforts to improve the welfare and living conditions of corps members serving in the state.

The permanent secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Dutsi, who represented Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, made the pledge on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C Stream II corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, M.D. Yusuf Complex, Mani Road, Katsina.

Dutsi, who presided over the ceremony, said the proposed renovation would address some of the challenges facing the camp and create a more conducive environment for corps members during their three-week orientation exercise.

He also commended the NYSC Katsina State Secretariat for its efforts in maintaining the existing facilities despite the challenges.

The pledge followed an appeal by the NYSC state coordinator, Mr Okwor N. Evans, who called on the state government to urgently renovate some of the camp’s facilities to enhance the welfare and comfort of corps members.

Evans disclosed that a total of 1,494 prospective corps members, comprising 853 males and 641 females, had been registered and sworn in as bona fide members of the NYSC, while registration was still ongoing at the time of the ceremony.

He said the corps members had quickly adjusted to the regimented camp environment and expressed confidence in their readiness for the responsibilities of national service.

In his address, Governor Radda welcomed the corps members to Katsina State and urged them to respect the culture, traditions and values of their respective host communities.

He encouraged them to participate actively in Community Development Service (CDS) projects, stressing that such initiatives would provide opportunities for them to make meaningful contributions to the development of their host communities.

The governor also assured the corps members that the protection of lives and property remained a priority of his administration, urging them to remain security-conscious and cooperate with relevant authorities throughout their service year.

Earlier, Evans welcomed the governor’s representative, the Chief Registrar of the Katsina State High Court, Dr Basira Umar, who represented the Chief Judge of the state, as well as representatives of collaborating agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders.

He appreciated the state government’s continued support for the NYSC scheme, noting that corps members had contributed significantly to the development of Katsina through their professional services and community development initiatives in education, healthcare, agriculture, technology and other sectors.

The state coordinator subsequently conducted the governor’s representative round the camp facilities and briefed him on the various programmes designed to prepare corps members for national service.

A major highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the Oath of Allegiance to the 1,494 corps members by Dr Umar on behalf of the Chief Judge of Katsina State.

The event also featured a Man O’ War demonstration, popularly known as the Chameleon Walk, showcasing the discipline, coordination and physical skills of the volunteers.

The NYSC Katsina State Cultural Troupe equally entertained guests with colourful cultural dance performances reflecting the state’s rich cultural heritage.

The ceremony climaxed with the formal declaration of the 2026 Batch C Stream II Orientation Course open by Dutsi.

The three-week orientation programme will expose the corps members to paramilitary drills, leadership and citizenship training, as well as the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, among other activities designed to prepare them for the challenges of national service.