By Praise Chinecherem

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State has presented Outstanding Corps Employers’ Awards to five organisations and individuals for demonstrating exceptional commitments to welfare and development of corps members.

The awards were presented on Tuesday in Awka during the 2026 NYSC/Corps Employers’ Workshop themed, “Fine-tuning Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Enhance Corps Members’ Welfare and Workplace Experience,” jointly organised by NYSC South East Area Office I, Enugu and the NYSC Anambra State Secretariat.

Among the awardees were Martin Ezeorji, Chairman, Marston De-Rock Ltd who received the Most Supportive Partner Award, while HRM Igwe Sir Benneth Emeka (Oke-Ebo II of Umueri), Chairman of Chiben Beverages Ltd honoured as the Most Outstanding Corps Employer.

Other recipients were Obinna Onuigbo, Proprietor of Premier Secondary School, Ogbunka; Pastor Mrs. Chidi Ebere, Proprietress of Olive Spring Secondary School, Onitsha; and Chief Evans Obi (Ichie Chinyelugo I N’Ichi), Chief Executive Officer of White Dove Agro Allied Company Limited, Ekwusigo, who all received the Outstanding Corps Employer Award.

Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, Deputy Director, NYSC South East Area Office I, Mrs. Victoria Ike-Nwosu, reiterated the NYSC Management’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with corps employers across the country.

The DG urged corps employers to provide corps members with relevant job assignments, quality mentorship, accommodation or allowance in lieu, transportation support, security and opportunities for professional growth.

He further enjoined employers to create workplaces free from discrimination, exploitation, harassment and abuse while exposing corps members to practical experiences that would improve their employability and leadership capacity.

Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports and Chairman of the NYSC State Governing Board, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba reaffirmed commitment of the Soludo administration to youth empowerment and private sector development.

He described corps employers as critical partners in workforce development, urging them to provide corps members with the mentorship, exposure and practical experience required to become productive professionals and future business leaders.

Earlier, State Coordinator, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua the workshop served as reminder that corps members’ welfare and development could be achieved by the NYSC alone but with active support and commitment of stakeholders, especially corps employers.

She said corps employers occupy a strategic position in the successful implementation of the NYSC Scheme and must ensure that corps members posted to their establishments are properly supervised, mentored and fully engaged in their official duties.

Ojisua explained that the workshop was designed to strengthen collaboration between the Scheme and employers, adding, “it offers us another opportunity to interact openly, review our partnership, share experiences, address existing challenges and explore better ways of creating a more rewarding workplace experience for Corps Members.”

She noted that the forum would enable stakeholders to review existing partnerships, identify operational challenges and evolve practical strategies for improving corps members’ welfare and workplace experience.

The State Coordinator commended corps employers who have continued to provide conducive working environments and meaningful responsibilities for corps members, describing their support as vital to the success of the Scheme.

She also appreciated the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, the Director, NYSC South East Area Office I, Mrs. Chinyere Ekwe, and other stakeholders whose efforts ensured the successful hosting of the workshop.

The workshop featured interactive discussions on strengthening employer-NYSC collaboration, enhancing corps members’ welfare and improving workplace productivity.