NYSC SAED: Anambra Corps Members Win N1m, Get Business Support, Mentorship

By Praise Chinecherem

For some members of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the end of orientation camp in Anambra came with more than certificates and farewells: they left with cash prizes, business start-up support and promises of mentorship to help turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The beneficiaries were rewarded during the closing ceremony of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu.

The highlight of the event was a business proposal competition in which representatives of the camp’s 10 platoons presented innovative business ideas before a panel of judges.

The competition was designed to test how effectively the corps members could translate skills acquired during the SAED training into practical and potentially viable enterprises.

Chinaza Abolade, AN/26B/, emerged winner with a proposal for a Naija-made small-business visibility initiative and received N500,000.

Judith Inoyi, AN/26B/1949, came second with N300,000, while Ogochukwu Obaje, AN/26B/1960, placed third with a catfish production proposal and received N200,000.

Beyond the N1 million shared among the top three winners, Obaje received additional agricultural support from Josranus Global Enterprise, Osumenyi, Nnewi South, owned by Mr. Oramu Joseph.

The package includes a crate of eggs monthly for one year and 300 catfish fingerlings to help the beneficiary commence the proposed agricultural venture.

The event also saw 20 corps members receive cash gifts from the youth wing of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC).

The President of ASTUC Youth Wing, Mr. Ken Okoli, said the intervention reflected the commitment of stakeholders to supporting young people, rewarding excellence and promoting entrepreneurship among corps members.

Describing the NYSC scheme as an important platform for youth development and self-discovery, Okoli pledged to mentor 20 corps members who successfully recited the 12 Core Values of Onye Anambra, in addition to the cash rewards presented to them.

“ASTUC youths across the 179 communities in Anambra State will continue to support the welfare of corps members serving in their respective communities,” he said.

Also speaking, the Regional Manager of UBA’s United Capital, Sir Tochukwu Chidebelu, who presented the cash prizes to the winners of the business proposal competition, urged the corps members to look beyond the orientation camp and develop their entrepreneurial ideas into sustainable ventures.

He encouraged them to take advantage of opportunities provided through the NYSC programme and remain committed to building businesses around the skills they have acquired.

Earlier, the Head of SAED, Mr. Ben Obi, said the programme was established to expose corps members to practical skills and entrepreneurship opportunities that could prepare them for self-reliance and productive engagement after national service.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Pauline Ojisua, commended the corps members for their active participation in the SAED training but cautioned that the few days spent acquiring skills during the orientation programme were only the beginning.

She urged the beneficiaries to enrol in post-camp training immediately after leaving the orientation camp, stressing that professional competence would require continuous practice, additional training and commitment.

“Few days of training cannot, on their own, make you experts in your chosen fields,” Ojisua cautioned, urging the corps members to continue learning and practising after camp.

The SAED closing ceremony combined skills development, entrepreneurship, mentorship and incentives for excellence, underscoring the NYSC programme’s broader objective of equipping young Nigerians with practical skills for economic independence and productive engagement beyond national service.

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