Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Phase One construction of a permanent orientation camp for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth development and national service.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Bago said the project reflects his government’s resolve to provide modern infrastructure that will enhance the welfare and development of Nigerian youths participating in the NYSC scheme.
The governor disclosed that the first phase of the project will be developed on eight hectares of land, while an additional 20 hectares have been allocated for agricultural activities to support the NYSC’s farming initiative.
He assured stakeholders that adequate funding has already been provided for the project, expressing confidence that the completed facility would become the best NYSC orientation camp in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, described the project as a testament to the shared commitment of the Niger State Government and the NYSC to youth empowerment, national unity, and sustainable development.
According to him, the new orientation camp will significantly improve the comfort, safety, and morale of corps members while serving as a hub for youth empowerment and community development.
Brig. Gen. Nafiu commended Governor Bago for his unwavering support for the NYSC and for committing the necessary resources to the project.
He noted that Niger State has become the fourth state in Nigeria, after Lagos, Adamawa, and Gombe, to embark on the construction of a modern permanent NYSC orientation camp.
The NYSC Director-General also urged the contractor handling the project to deliver it within the stipulated timeline without compromising construction standards and quality.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji, praised Governor Bago for the initiative and assured him of the Assembly’s full legislative support to ensure the project’s successful completion.
The project’s contractor, Stephen Adigun, said the facility is designed to accommodate approximately 5,000 corps members, with provisions for future expansion.
He explained that the camp will feature 41 hostel blocks, each comprising 20 rooms with six-bed capacity per room.
Other planned facilities include a 3,000-seat multi-purpose hall, administrative offices, sports and recreational facilities, a perimeter fence, a clinic, and other essential infrastructure.
Adigun pledged to deploy the required expertise and resources to ensure the project is completed on schedule and to the highest standards.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Nuhu Ngaski, and the Emir of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, who represented the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, lauded Governor Bago for initiating the project.
They pledged their continued support for programmes and infrastructure projects aimed at improving the welfare of young people and promoting sustainable development across the state.
The permanent orientation camp is expected to strengthen the NYSC programme in Niger State by providing modern facilities that enhance training, accommodation, and overall service delivery for corps members.
