Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Gombe State has announced that four corps members will have their service periods extended due to service-related infractions, with two mandated to repeat the entire service year and two others receiving four-month extensions. The Gombe State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Chinwe Nwachuku, disclosed this on Thursday, May 21, 2026, during the passing-out parade for the 2025 Batch 'A' Stream II corps members held at the Gombe Local Government Secretariat. She stated that a total of 901 corps members successfully completed their national service in the state, comprising 503 males and 398 females. "Two corps members are repeating service, while two others are having four months extension," she told the gathering.
Nwachuku did not disclose the specific reasons for the sanctions, only attributing them to "service-related issues." However, she commended the outgoing corps members for their commitment and participation in community development projects during their service year. "A year ago, you answered the call to national service and embarked on a journey filled with expectations, challenges, learning experiences and opportunities. Today, you stand proudly as individuals who have completed this noble national assignment with courage, resilience, discipline and commitment," she said. She also urged the outgoing corps members to make use of skills acquired under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to become self-reliant and advised them against embarking on night journeys and engaging in activities capable of tarnishing the image of the scheme. She later declared the 2025 Batch 'A' Stream II service year officially closed.
The announcement was made amidst a quirky incident that briefly interrupted the solemnity of the ceremony. A stray cow wandered into the venue and nearly injured some corps members seated under a tree. According to reports from the scene, no injuries were recorded during the incident, and order was quickly restored. This was the first such incident of an animal intrusion at a state-level passing-out parade.
This latest development highlights the NYSC's continued enforcement of its bye-laws, which stipulate that any corps member who absconds from service for a total of more than 90 days may be required to repeat the service year. This measure is meant to serve as a deterrent to others. In previous years, similar sanctions have been announced during passing-out ceremonies, with previous batches recording abscondment rates requiring extensions or repeats.
Meanwhile, the total number of corps members who passed out in Gombe State this quarter reflects a significant deployment to the state, which, according to earlier announcements, is being supported by the state government. The Gombe State Government has recently been commended for its efforts to improve the welfare of corps members, including plans to build a lodge to accommodate over 100 corps members. The state government has also been praised for augmenting the feeding of corps members in orientation camps.
The 2025 Batch 'A' Stream I corps members had their passing-out ceremony earlier in the year, where officials noted the contributions of corps members to the state’s development, particularly in healthcare and education. As the newly passed-out corps members leave the scheme to pursue other endeavours, the NYSC has reiterated its commitment to discipline and the successful integration of corps members into national development.
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