The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) coordinator in Katsina State, Evans Okwor, has appealed to the state government to renovate dilapidated male hostels at the permanent orientation camp.

Mr Okwor made the appeal on Friday in Katsina, during the swearing-in ceremony of 1,132 members of the 2026 Batch B Stream II deployed to the state.

He said the camp, constructed about 25 years ago, had not undergone any major renovation, stressing the need to improve accommodation and other facilities for corps members.

The coordinator also urged the corps members to remain disciplined and actively participate in all activities throughout the three-week orientation programme.

According to him, the orientation curriculum includes leadership training, military drills, lectures on socio-economic strategies, cultural and civic enlightenment, sporting activities, as well as the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.

“The orientation curriculum is broad, comprising leadership training, military drills, lectures on socio-economic strategies, cultural and civic enlightenment, sporting activities and, most importantly, skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development,” he said.

Mr Okwor said a total of 1,132 corps members had so far been registered for the exercise, comprising 658 males and 474 females.

Responding, Governor Dikko Radda, represented by the state head of service, Falalu Bawale, assured the corps members of a conducive environment throughout their service year in the state.

He also directed the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to conduct a comprehensive assessment of facilities at the orientation camp with a view to undertaking holistic renovation.

“The people of Katsina State are NYSC-friendly and I wish to assure you of a conducive atmosphere throughout your service year,” the governor said.

Mr Radda urged the corps members to shun cultism and political and religious intolerance while upholding the NYSC motto of “Service and Humility”.

The oath of allegiance was administered by the chief judge of Katsina, Justice Musa Danladi, represented by the chief registrar of the Katsina State High Court, Basira Umar.

(NAN)