The director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has urged corps members deployed to Borno State to contribute their quota to national development.

Mr Nafiu gave the charge on Sunday when he visited the 2025 Batch A ‘Stream II’ corps members during the orientation course at the NYSC temporary camp in Maiduguri.

He commended the 820 corps members in camp for successfully completing their tertiary education.

He urged them reciprocate the numerous government gestures by contributing meaningfully to national development through the NYSC scheme.

“Many of you studied in public institutions where you paid less than a fraction of the actual cost of your education. Yet, your certificates are recognised and respected internationally.

“That is the value the government has placed on you. The least you can do is to give back by serving your country diligently,” he said.

Mr Nafiu recounted personal testimonies from Nigerians who had been positively impacted by corps members who taught them in secondary schools.

“Some of you have probably said, ‘It was that corps member, Nedu, who taught me physics and made me what I am today.’ Now you have the same chance to be someone else’s inspiration,” he said.

The D-G said that corps members were strategically positioned across the country surpassing corporate brands in reach.

“MTN says ‘everywhere you go,’ but we challenged them when they visited. NYSC is actually everywhere you go,” he said.

Mr Nafiu also warned corps members against absconding from the service, especially those with intentions to travel outside the country, without completing their service year.

“If you miss biometric clearance for three consecutive months, the system will flag you as an absconder.

“You’ll be automatically remobilised, and we will likely send you to complete your service in Zamfara, Yobe, or Bauchi —still within the Northeast, since you’ve started here already,” he said.

Mr Nafiu also urged them to take the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme seriously, noting its importance in addressing the country’s high unemployment rate.

“Madam SAED is always here. Whether you’ve mastered what it means or not, know that SAED is about exposing you to legitimate ways of earning income in addition to your degree,” he said.

The D-G encouraged the corps members to ensure they complete their service year saying: “What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

“Start strong and finish stronger.”

(NAN)