Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has charged Nigerians to collectively build a nation that earns the patriotism of young people, while also making migration a choice, not an escape route.

Mbah spoke in Awgu on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony for the 2026 Batch C Stream of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state.

He stressed that Nigeria’s extraordinary youth population could only become a demographic dividend if the nation creates the education, skills, jobs, enterprise and institutions that enable young Nigerians to convert their energy and talent into productivity and prosperity, hence the essence of the NYSC beyond experiencing other parts of Nigeria.

“We often ask young Nigerians to be patriotic. But let us ask ourselves a more difficult question: how do we earn the patriotism of our young people if they feel excluded from their country’s promise?

“Patriotism must be cultivated by creating a country in which young people can see a future for themselves.

“We must provide quality education; create an enabling environment for enterprise; expand opportunities; make our institutions work.

“We must build a country where merit is rewarded, hard work has meaning and dreams do not have to be exported before they can become reality,” he said.

Mbah, however, urged the youth to never forget the demands patriotism makes of them, both in good and difficult times.

“Patriotism also demands something from you. It demands that, even when the country is imperfect, you refuse to give up on its possibilities; that you criticise what is wrong without abandoning what can be made right; that you do not merely ask: ‘What can Nigeria give me?’ But also ask: ‘What can I give Nigeria?’

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Oluwakemi Awolola, disclosed that 2,101 corps members were sworn-in at the event.

Awolola said that the corps members comprised 983 males and 1,118 females.

She applauded the Enugu State government for its support and assistance to the NYSC scheme in the state.
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She said that NYSC remained grateful to the Mbah administration for its unwavering commitment to the welfare, security and general well-being of corps members in the state.
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“The various interventions of the state government have continued to create a more conducive environment for the successful implementation of the NYSC programmes in Enugu State.
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“Of particular significance is the ongoing comprehensive intervention and overhaul of facilities at the NYSC permanent Orientation Camp, Awgu, as well as improved welfare support and allowance provided for serving corps members in the state,” she said.

She said that discipline remained the bedrock of the NYSC scheme, urging the corps members to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the service.

“You should adhere to camp rules and regulations. Have respect for constituted authority, while observing NYSC bye-laws are mandatory act,” she advised.