The Gombe orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has suffered serious damage following a windstorm that hit Amada in Akko Local Government Area.
The incident left key facilities at the camp in ruins, prompting an urgent appeal from the state NYSC Coordinator, Chinwe Nwachuku, to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya for immediate help.
Speaking during the swearing-in event for the 2025 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members, Nwachuku used the moment to raise concerns about the state of the camp after the storm struck last Tuesday.
“I want to seize this opportunity to profoundly thank His Excellency for the love the scheme enjoys in Gombe State,” she said.
“But as we are gathered here today, it is with tears in my eyes that I want to bring to the attention of His Excellency, a very pressing concern that affects the welfare and safety of not just these vibrant young men and women, but the entire camp community.”
According to Nwachuku, the windstorm tore off the roof of the camp’s multipurpose pavilion and damaged several hostels. Some of the hostels were left without roofs, while others had leaking roofs, creating uncomfortable and unsafe conditions for the corps members.
“This pavilion serves as a vital hub for our activities and it has been severely blown off. Some rooms are not just leaking but are open.
“It will be wicked of the camp community to pray against rain during this planting season, but my children are always wondering what their fate will be in case of rainfall,” she added.
She called on Governor Yahaya to step in quickly and fix the damaged structures so the corps members can live and train in a safe and proper environment. Nwachuku noted that restoring the facilities would help motivate the young men and women to serve the state with more passion and energy.
“Your support will not only provide a safe and conducive environment but also inspire and motivate these young individuals to serve our state with renewed vigour,” she said.
She also thanked the governor for his continued backing of the NYSC scheme and showed appreciation to the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, who was represented by Justice Zainab Abdulkadir and led the oath-taking ceremony for the new corps members.
A total of 1,629 corps members were sworn in during the ceremony, made up of 893 males and 736 females.
Nwachuku welcomed the new members and advised them to follow the law, remain disciplined, and respect the customs of their host communities.
Governor Yahaya, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr Manassah Jatau, told the corps members that their welfare was a top concern for the government. He also encouraged them to understand and accept the traditions of their host communities and avoid forcing their beliefs on others.
“Your own tradition, culture, and norms are not general beliefs; adapt to the culture of your environment. It’s our expectation that your batch will excel, be guided by the norms of NYSC,” he stated.
