Lagos: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has charged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to seize opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development. Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of the three-week Orientation Course of 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II held at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana-Ipaja. He urged the corps members to carry the discipline, patriotism, resilience and spirit of service gained from the camp into their Places of Primary Assignment.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the governor emphasized the importance for young people to seize opportunities created by the government, highlighting the need for their ideas, courage, creativity, and resilience to build a better future through collective action. He encouraged the corps members to embrace innovation and resourcefulness instead of merely complaining about societal challenges. Sanwo-Olu also urged them to leverage the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to acquire skills and explore enterprise opportunities.
Sanwo-Olu further assured the corps members of the state government’s commitment to working with NYSC authorities and security agencies to ensure their safety and welfare. He expressed his hope that by the end of their service year, the corps members would look back with pride at their contributions and the difference they made in their communities, urging them to leave every community better than they found it.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osanyitolu, at the event. Earlier, the State Coordinator, NYSC Lagos, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, advised the corps members to uphold discipline, patriotism, and integrity as they commenced the next phase of their service year.
Salmwang encouraged the corps members to accept their postings with humility and to serve with dedication, commitment, and responsibility in their Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) and communities. She cautioned them against indiscipline and unauthorized journeys, urging them to remain vigilant, protect their personal information, and seek appropriate permission whenever travel becomes unavoidable.
In her closing remarks, Salmwang expressed gratitude to the Lagos state government, residents, partners, collaborating agencies, NYSC officials, and the media for their support toward the success of the orientation course.