Governor pledges safety and enabling environment for NYSC scheme.
By Damilola Abiola
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to rise beyond routine service and become “agents of change that Nigeria dearly needs.”
The governor gave the charge on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2025 Batch B Stream 2 corps members at the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja. He was represented by Mr. Ibukun Dosunmu, Director of General Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
“You have the opportunity to go beyond the ordinary and surpass the achievements of your predecessors,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Build projects, teach the young, mentor the uninspired, guide the misguided, bring hope to the hopeless, offer comfort to the vulnerable, and be helping hands to those in need.”
The governor urged the corps members to take their orientation seriously, stressing that their host communities should feel their presence, compassion, and positive impact.
“Do not look away from humanity; rather, be the voice that reassures, the hands that heal, and the agents of change that Nigeria so dearly needs,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu assured the corps members that the state government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the NYSC scheme to thrive, while prioritizing their safety and welfare.
In her remarks, the Lagos State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, said that a total of 5,183 prospective corps members were deployed to Lagos State, with 2,710 currently camped in Lagos. Others, she noted, were distributed across Ekiti (748), Ondo (408), Osun (767), and Ogun (550) states.
Salmwang explained that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those with critical health conditions had been excused from strenuous activities. Despite that, she said, the corps members had shown resilience and enthusiasm.
“These vibrant youths have already adapted to the regimented camp schedule with commendable zeal,” she said. “Their enthusiasm is helping us to sustain a successful orientation course and smooth camp administration.”
She encouraged the corps members to embrace the values of the scheme, designed to prepare them for leadership and responsible citizenship.
“I encourage you to participate fully and comply with all camp rules and regulations,” she added.
The highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of allegiance by Justice Olalekan Oresanya of the Ikeja High Court, on behalf of the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba.