Don’t seek unnecessary redeployment, Gombe gov tells corps members

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to the state to resist unnecessary redeployment requests and contribute to its development.

Yahaya said the state needed the knowledge, skills and expertise of corps members to support growth in critical sectors, including education and healthcare.

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

The governor encouraged the corps members to see their deployment as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their host communities rather than seek relocation without compelling 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, saying the state government was working with security agencies and other stakeholders to provide a conducive environment during their orientation and service year.

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

The governor also urged the corps members to uphold discipline, integrity and respect for constituted authority while taking part in the orientation activities.

He pledged that his administration would continue to work with the NYSC management to ensure that corps members’ welfare received adequate attention.

Earlier, the Gombe State NYSC Coordinator, Regina Eke, said 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 peaceful and hospitable.

She assured the corps members of a memorable service year, saying, “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 to the NYSC and improve feeding arrangements for corps members during the orientation exercise.

She also called for sustained government intervention to improve 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 hope that the ongoing exercise would be the last held 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.