The Katsina government has directed relevant ministries to make budgetary provisions for renovating and upgrading its permanent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp ahead of future deployment exercises.

Governor Dikko Radda disclosed  this on Friday in Katsina during the formal opening of the 2026 Batch C Stream II NYSC orientation course for corps members at the camp.

Represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ibrahim Ali-Duste, Mr Radda said the Ministries of Works and Youth Development had received his renovation directive already.

Mr Radda expressed optimism that the renovation would be substantially completed before the first batch of corps members arrives in 2027, ensuring improved facilities for subsequent orientation exercises at the permanent camp.

He said the intervention would improve accommodation, training facilities, skills acquisition opportunities, and other essential infrastructure, creating a more suitable environment for corps members during their mandatory orientation and national service.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare, safety, and security of corps members serving in Katsina, assuring them of continued government support throughout their national service year.

Mr Radda urged corps members to embrace patriotism, discipline, tolerance, integrity, hard work, and selfless service, saying those values would help them contribute positively to national development and community life across society.

Mr Radda urged corps members to respect the cultures and traditions of their host communities and contribute meaningfully to grassroots development through active participation in local initiatives and community-based projects across Katsina.

He encouraged them to utilise the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire practical skills, develop business ideas, and explore viable entrepreneurship opportunities during their service year locally.

Mr Radda identified agriculture, agro-processing, livestock production, information technology, renewable energy, creative industries, and small-scale manufacturing as sectors offering considerable economic potential and opportunities for corps members to build sustainable livelihoods regionally.

Earlier, the NYSC state coordinator, Evans Okwor, said 1,494 corps members had registered for the exercise as of November 6.

He said the registered corps members comprised 853 males and 641 females, who were participating in the three-week orientation programme at the state’s permanent NYSC camp in Katsina.

Mr Okwor said the three-week orientation course, which commenced on November 4, would end on November 24.

(NAN)