Up left) Mrs Christina Salmwang, State Coordinator, NYSC Lagos; Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos; and platoon representative signing oath of allegiance during the swearing-in of 2025 Batch ‘A’ stream 11 at NYSC Orientation Camp, on Friday at Iyana-Ipaja.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has expressed gratitude to Gov. Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the renovation of facilities in its temporary orientation camp at Iyana-Ipaja in Lagos State.
Mrs Christina Salmwang, the State Coordinator, NYSC, expressed the NYSC ‘s gratitude on Friday during her address at the swearing-in of the 2025 Batch ‘A’, Stream 11 set of corps members.
Salmwang also thanked the governor for the expedited construction work ongoing at the NYSC’s permanent camp site in Agbowa, Ikorodu.
A total number of 7,086 persons took the oath of allegiance and were confirmed as corp members for the three-week orientation exercise.
The oath of allegiance was administered by Justice Mathias Dawodu, Representative of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazerm Alogba.
Salmwang noted that some corps members in the batch had been dislodged to Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, and Osun States respectively to undertake the orientation exercise.
She said that it was as a result of limited accommodation in the NYSC temporary camp in Lagos.
“Our dear Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has given approval and work has started for a total renovation of our Iyana-Ipaja facility.
“The roof has been completely changed. He’s so concerned about the welfare of our youths,” she said.
The state coordinator, however, noted that work had been suspended due to time lag, saying that the work was put on hold to allow for a safe and successful swearing in exercise.
She, however, assured that as soon as the swearing in programme was over and visitors leave the orientation camp, the work would commence for the plumbing.
“The governor of Lagos State, my father, who cares so much for the youth and the NYSC, has commenced the renovation of this orientation camp.
“The water reservoir, as you can see, has been changed. This water reservoir has been here for many years and we have a brand new one now.
“You can see that we have our lectures under the canopies and the canopies are not comfortable at all, as they keep falling off whenever it rains. So a pavilion will be erected.
“The hostels, plumbing facilities, the painting, there will be total renovation of the hall, so again, I want to use this opportunity to thank our father for this gesture and the care.
“Similarly, work is ongoing in our permanent orientation camp at Agbowa, we visited that camp to have on-the-spot assessment of the job going on there and work is going on there right now,” she stressed.
The coordinator expressed optimism that with the development, the issue of inadequate accommodation and sending of Lagos corps members to other states for orientation course would be stopped.
Salmwang emphasised the values of discipline, patriotism, integrity, and hard work, saying that the NYSC programme was aimed at instilling these values in the corps members.
She encouraged the corps members to fully participate in the orientation activities, including lectures, skill acquisition and sports.
The coordinator added that various lectures on security had been put in place to educate corps members on the need to stay safe, especially in this rainy season.
“We always sensitise them to ensure that they take care of themselves and keep their environments clean.
“We let them know that whichever community they may find themselves, they should be an ambassador of the scheme and also educate members of the community on issues that may cause flooding like indiscriminate disposal of wastes,” she said.
In his remark, Gov. Sanwo-Olu called on the corps members to internalise the words contained in the national pledge and to strive to live in accordance with the wordings of the oath of allegiance to which they had sworn.
He advised them to take all aspects of the orientation course very seriously, noting that it was uniquely structured to prepare them for the service year and beyond.
“I enjoin you to always reflect on the successes the scheme has recorded in sustaining national unity, integration and economic development.
“Make conscious efforts to contribute to these great feats during your national service through selfless commitment, dedication and active participation in all activities during the service year.
“It is only by so doing that you will be propelled to sustain and contribute to the worthy feat of your predecessors during the over 46 years of the existence of the scheme.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu was represented by Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos.
Ogunlende, in his capacity, said that significant result had been recorded towards the completion of the ongoing construction of the permanent orientation camp in Agbowa.
He said that the camp would accommodate no fewer than 10,000 youth corps members, when completed.
Describing the number of the corps members in the present batch as a significant increase, he added that it was a priority of Gov. Sanwo-Olu to ensure that the permanent site was completed as quickly as possible.
He stressed that this would ensure that the state would be able to accommodate all of the corps members posted there.
“As you know, Lagos is an accommodating state and we are aware that we need to make sure our corps members are given that comfort when they are here for their camp,” he said.
Ogunlende implored the corps members to keep the environment safe as custodians of the state and community, adding that they should ensure that they do not litter the grounds and to call attention to those littering the grounds.