GOMBE GOVERNOR YAHAYA URGES CORPS MEMBERS TO SHUN UNNECESSARY REDEPLOYMENT

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By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to the state to avoid unnecessary requests for redeployment and contribute meaningfully to its development.

Yahaya said the state required the knowledge, skills and expertise of corps members to drive development in critical sectors, particularly education and healthcare.

He made the appeal on Friday through the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Yusuf Abdullahi-Waziri, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch C, Stream II corps members at the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Amada, Gombe State.

The governor urged the corps members to regard their deployment as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their host communities rather than seek relocation without genuine reasons.

“Gombe State needs your services, talent, knowledge and expertise. Our state continues to pursue development across various sectors, and I believe your contribution can make a meaningful difference in our communities, schools, healthcare facilities and other establishments where you will be deployed,” he said.

Yahaya assured the corps members of their safety and welfare, noting that the state government was collaborating with security agencies and other stakeholders to provide a conducive environment throughout their orientation and service year.

He described the NYSC scheme as a vital platform for promoting national unity, integration and reconciliation by bringing young Nigerians from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds together.

The governor also charged the corps members to maintain discipline, integrity and respect for constituted authority throughout their orientation and service year.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with NYSC management to ensure that the welfare of corps members received adequate attention.

Earlier, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Regina Eke, disclosed that 1,201 corps members, comprising 686 males and 515 females, had registered for the orientation exercise, while registration was still ongoing.

Eke, who said she assumed office as the 19th NYSC coordinator in the state a week earlier, described Gombe as a peaceful and hospitable state.

She assured the corps members of an enjoyable service year, adding, “You will not need to go on relocation, except on health grounds, as you will have the best of your time here in Gombe State.”

The coordinator appealed to the state government to increase its financial support for the NYSC and improve feeding arrangements for corps members during the orientation exercise.

She also called for sustained government intervention to enhance welfare at corps members’ primary places of assignment, particularly through the payment of monthly stipends.

Eke commended the Yahaya administration for constructing a permanent orientation camp, expressing optimism that the ongoing exercise would be the last conducted at the temporary facility.

The corps members were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, who was represented by Justice Suleiman Abubakar.

Yahaya subsequently declared the 2026 Batch C, Stream II orientation course open.