Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members not to be discouraged by the current challenges facing Nigeria.
Makinde delivered this message during the swearing-in of the 2025 Batch C Corps members in Iseyin, Oyo State, on Friday.
Represented by Mrs. Kudirat Mustapha, Director of Youth Development, Oyo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, the governor highlighted that the corps members were beginning their service at a time when Nigeria was grappling with economic and security issues.
He emphasized that difficult times often produce the greatest innovators and the most resilient leaders, adding that Nigeria’s identity is shaped not by its challenges, but by the talents and determination of individuals like the corps members.
“Do not lose hope in your future and do not lose hope in this great nation,” he stated.
Makinde urged the corps members to actively engage in the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, noting, “In today’s world, self-reliance and innovation are keys to economic survival. Many of your predecessors have become job creators through the skills they acquired during the service year. You too can become a success story. Oyo State Government, in partnership with the NYSC, will continue to support initiatives that ensure your safety, welfare, and empowerment,” he concluded.
NYSC Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr. Kayode Peters, remarked that the orientation course, the initial phase of NYSC, is more than a compulsory stage of national service. He described it as a melting pot of cultures where young Nigerians discover the beauty of diversity, the strength of unity, and develop discipline, teamwork, and essential life skills for their service year and beyond.
Peters affirmed NYSC’s commitment to enhancing the orientation course framework for greater relevance and deeper impact on national service. He reported that a total of 3,598 prospective corps members, including 1,036 males and 2,562 females, successfully registered for the orientation course in Oyo State.
He encouraged the corps members to embrace the values of discipline, hard work, and patriotism, making the most of the opportunities provided during this orientation course. Peters also commended Governor Makinde for his support of the NYSC in the state, as well as the security agencies and community leaders for ensuring the safety of corps members and other citizens in the state.
