By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 general elections, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been charged to uphold professionalism, integrity, and impartiality in the discharge of their national assignment, as well use the period of their service year to build competence, cultivate character, and nurture relationships that would further hone their excellence and true spirit of patriotism.
Youth development advocate and former Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment Programmes in Anambra State, Dr. Nelson Omenugha, gave the charge while addressing the 2026 Batch B Stream II corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Anambra State, where he featured alongside renowned media personality, Mr. Chijioke Igwendu, popularly known as “Yan Baba,” during an interactive session with the young graduates.
The engagement, which focused on the theme, “Are Certificates and Skills Enough?”, provided a platform for Dr. Omenugha, who is also a youth mobiliser and Mass Communication lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, to challenge the corps members to look beyond academic qualifications and technical competence in their pursuit of success.
According to him, while certificates may secure opportunities and skills may open doors, long-term success is built on sound character, integrity, discipline, emotional intelligence and the ability to establish and sustain meaningful relationships.
He noted that many talented individuals fail to attain lasting relevance, not because they lack qualifications or competence, but because they neglect the values that inspire confidence, earn trust and sustain professional growth.
Omenugha, a Public Relations expert, encouraged the corps members to deliberately cultivate virtues that would distinguish them wherever they find themselves, stressing that credibility and good character remain priceless assets in both public and private life.
Welcoming the corps members to Anambra State, he urged them to see their service year as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their host communities while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, patriotism and responsibility at their various places of primary assignment.
With the country gradually approaching another election cycle, the youth advocate also reminded the corps members of the sensitive responsibilities often assigned to the NYSC during elections, urging them to remain law-abiding, politically neutral and committed to the ideals of fairness and national unity.
He said their conduct before, during and after the 2027 general elections would contribute significantly to shaping their future and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, urging them to resist every form of inducement capable of compromising their integrity.
He also expressed appreciation to the Anambra State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua, and members of her Management team for what he described as their commitment to mentoring and preparing young Nigerians for productive service and responsible leadership.
Dr. Omenugha has remained a familiar figure in youth development and leadership circles over the years. Beyond serving as Special Adviser on Youth Empowerment Programmes during Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s first tenure, he has occupied several youth-related leadership positions and has continued to mentor young people through public speaking, capacity-building programmes, Public Relations and academic engagements as a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, among others.
