The Abia State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ufuoma Dick-Iruenabere, has issued a plea to the Abia State Government and benevolent individuals to urgently address the infrastructural and architectural decay plaguing the state’s Permanent Orientation Camp at Umunnato, Bende LGA.
This appeal was made by the coordinator during the swearing-in ceremony of Batch 11 Stream 2 members of the NYSC in the state. At the time of the swearing-in, the camp welcomed 999 corps members.
Dick-Iruenabere expressed her regret over the dire state of the orientation camp, which was constructed in 2006 and handed over to the NYSC in 2007. The camp has been severely affected by gully erosion, resulting in damage to various facilities such as the parade ground, male hostel, and staff quarters.
This situation has not only led to the loss of valuable camp space but has also caused cracks in the walls of the buildings, posing a significant risk to the safety and well-being of corps members during orientation programmes.
The NYSC coordinator urgently called for intervention to implement erosion control measures and prevent further deterioration of the camp’s infrastructure.
Additionally, she highlighted the pressing need to renovate and upgrade the state NYSC secretariat, providing a conducive and functional administrative environment for the staff. The current secretariat suffers from inadequate office space, utilities, and overall infrastructure, consequently hindering the efficient delivery of NYSC programmes and services in the state.
Moreover, the state coordinator’s residence requires repairs and improvements to ensure a suitable living condition.
In her impassioned appeal, the NYSC Abia State Coordinator directed her message to the State Government, under the youth-loving Governor of Abia State, Alex Chioma Otti. She appealed for immediate assistance and suggested the possibility of relocating the camp to a more favorable environment.
Understanding the challenges faced by the new administration, she expressed hope that their needs would be accommodated and receive prompt attention.
In his address to the newly sworn-in corps members, Governor Alex Otti encouraged them to utilize their time at the orientation camp and during their service in Abia to personal growth and take advantage of the various opportunities available in the state.
While Governor Otti’s address was delivered by Temple Nwosu, a senior staff of the state’s ministry of youths and sports, he assured that his administration is committed to improving the assistance provided to the NYSC in Abia.
The governor commended the sacrifices made by NYSC members in the development of their host communities, and he celebrated their invaluable contribution to unity and nation-building since the establishment of the NYSC many years ago.
