The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that corps members in Edo State will receive specialised training on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion, with five vehicles approved for free conversion during their orientation course.
The State Coordinator of NYSC in Edo, Mr. Fasina Adedotun, disclosed this on Friday at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.
Adedotun stated that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiative would visit the camp with a team to train corps members on CNG conversion. He added that five vehicles had been approved for conversion from petrol to CNG at a cost of ₦1.5 million each, completely free of charge to the beneficiaries.
“The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiative will be visiting us with a team to train corps members on CNG conversion. And five vehicles have been approved at the rate of ₦1.5 million each to be given the opportunity to change their vehicle from petrol to CNG free of charge,” he said.
The coordinator revealed that 1,996 corps members — comprising 904 males and 1,092 females — had been registered in Edo as of midnight on Thursday ahead of the ceremony. He noted that some corps members originally deployed to Lagos had also been redeployed to Edo for their orientation course.
Adedotun urged the corps members to embrace discipline, learning, and networking throughout their service year, stressing that the NYSC platform provides valuable opportunities to build relationships across diverse backgrounds. He highlighted the scheme’s contributions to the state’s development through the deployment of skilled corps members to all 18 local government areas.
According to him, the NYSC’s Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers continues to provide free medical outreaches in remote communities, while corps members trained under the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme have supported youths and women with various vocational skills.
He expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for providing buses to convey corps members to their respective local government areas after the orientation programme.
Declaring the orientation course open, Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by the Director of Youths in the State Ministry of Youth Affairs, Mr. Anthony Irabor, assured the corps members of the administration’s commitment to their welfare and security.
The governor urged them to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture, education, technology, entrepreneurship, and tourism during their service year.
“The Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) Programme of the NYSC is tailored to help you harness these opportunities. I encourage you to approach your service year with innovation, adaptability and a commitment to excellence,” he said.
Okpebholo added that the state government is working closely with NYSC management, security agencies, and community leaders to ensure a safe and rewarding service year for the corps members. He also advised them to respect the traditions of their host communities and contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of the state.
