A total of 1,350 corps members have been sworn in by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 orientation exercise and mandatory one-year service in Bayelsa.

The swearing-in took place at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kaiama, in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Friday.

Bayelsa Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayimieye, represented by Justice Inikade Eradiri, administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members.

In his welcome address, the Bayelsa NYSC coordinator, Daniel Pepple, said 1,350 corps members registered for the mandatory orientation.

He said the corps members were well-behaved as they listened to their instructors during orientation camp.

According to him, “The orientation is for 21 days, after that they will be posted to their place of primary assignment.

“They will also undergo some skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes.

“The camp will teach them about teamwork, so as to represent themselves productively,” he said.

Mr Pepple said that the country needed them this time; they cannot fail, so they should be responsible in the camp.

He commended Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa for making the camp very comfortable for all corps members and their commandants.

In his remarks, Mr Diri said that orientation camp was important to national service.

He urged the students to learn to respect one another, and not to tarnish the image of those who have trained them.

Mr Diri, represented by the commissioner for youth development, Alfred Kemepadei, urged them to update their skills through ICT to open new learning in the NYSC service.

He thanked the NYSC for its efforts at giving orientation to the youths.

He pledged the Bayelsa government’s committed to their welfare and safety.

(NAN)