*HURIWA demands rescue of abducted corps members
Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru, has charged Corps Members to take full advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the NYSC, as tools that would make them self-reliant, create employment and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
This was as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has demanded the immediate and safe rescue of the 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other travellers abducted in Imo State.
It urged the federal government to deploy every available intelligence, security asset and specialist capability to secure their release.
Nwifuru stated this during the swearing in of the 2026 NYSC Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 Corps Members held at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Afikpo in the state.
The governor said his administration remained committed to building a state where development creates opportunities, infrastructure supports economic activity and young people are equipped with the skills required to compete in a changing world.
“We are also creating an environment that supports enterprise, investment and skills development. The establishment of the National Automotive Design and Development Council Automotive Training Centre in Abakaliki is another step towards equipping our young people with practical skills and connecting them to emerging opportunities in the automotive and technical sectors.
“We are equally investing in agriculture and human capital development because we believe that the future of Ebonyi depends largely on the capacity of our young people to create value and build sustainable livelihoods.
“My dear Corps Members, opportunities are not always found by waiting for employment. Sometimes, opportunities are created through skills, innovation, enterprise and the courage to solve problems.
“I therefore encourage you to take full advantage of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme of the NYSC. Do not regard the skills you acquire during this service year as merely another requirement for passing out. See them as tools that can help you become self-reliant, create employment and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”
Harping on the theme of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Orientation Course, “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,” Ebonyi state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Malgwi Pat. Maidariya emphasised the need to equip Corps Members with the values, knowledge and practical skills required to respond effectively to contemporary challenges and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
“The theme also aligns with the development agenda of the Ebonyi State Government, particularly its emphasis on human capital development, youth empowerment, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, responsible citizenship and inclusive development,” she said.
HURIWA Demands Rescue of Abducted Corps Members
In another development, HURIWA, has demanded the immediate and safe rescue of the 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other travellers abducted in Imo State.
It, therefore, urged the federal government to deploy every available intelligence, security asset and specialist capability to secure their release.
HURIWA said the reported discovery of the kidnappers’ forest hideout, coupled with the revelation that the camp has been surrounded by improvised explosive devices, made the rescue operation an urgent national security priority.
In a statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the association demanded that security agencies must not allow the mined forest terrain to become an excuse for prolonged delay in rescuing the victims.
HURIWA called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Air Force to establish a unified rescue command and deploy specialised personnel trained in hostage rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, intelligence gathering and jungle operations.