Borno State To Build New NYSC Orientation Camp After 12-Year Hiatus

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has pledged his administration’s full support for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and promised to build a new permanent orientation camp.

This comes after a 12-year suspension of the camp in the state, which has been operating temporarily at the Umar Mustapha Elkanemi Arabic School since its resumption in 2023.

During a courtesy visit by NYSC Director General Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed to the Government House in Maiduguri on Friday, Governor Zulum announced plans to start construction on the new camp immediately.

He expressed concern about the temporary nature of the current facility and the potential need for the school to reclaim its space.

“The Deputy Chief of Staff and Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, let us see how we can begin construction on the permanent site and expand accommodation,” Zulum said.

“Currently, the scheme is operating within a school, and the school administration may require the space back soon. “The earlier we begin, the better.”

The governor’s commitment includes increased support for the NYSC scheme, with a focus on attracting graduates in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to improve secondary school education in the state.

He emphasised the need for physics, mathematics, and English teachers. Zulum also recognised the invaluable contributions of medical corps members stationed in Borno State.

He thanked the NYSC for facilitating the return of the orientation camp, which significantly reduced the hardship experienced by corps members who had to travel to other states for orientation.

Brigadier General Ahmed praised the Borno State Government’s unwavering support for the NYSC, highlighting the significant assistance provided to corps members, such as special allowances, improved feeding, and the provision of Hilux vehicles to the state coordination offices.

He described the corps members as “in good hands” and urged them to stay in Borno and contribute to the state’s development in gratitude for the government’s assistance.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Jiya, stated that 991 corps members from the 2024 Batch C Stream 2 are currently undergoing orientation at the temporary camp.

The NYSC Director General’s visit was to assess the welfare of corps members and orientation camp facilities in Borno and other Northeastern states.