Journalists Forum faults relocation of Obubra NYSC Orientation Camp

By David Odama

The Chairman of the Cross River State Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) Abuja, Mrs Francisca Ogar has failed the relocation of the Obubra NYSC Orientation Camp in Cross River State, by the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.

In a statement, the Chairman of the forum, said the position bof the forum was taken at a Congress held on Friday October 16, 2026.

According to the statement, Members were of the opinion that it is a shared statutory responsibility: of
State governments in Nigeria to provide, support, and maintain NYSC orientation camp facilities, adding however that although the Federal government, through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), also has responsibilities for administering the scheme.

The Forum also observed that the Obubra camp dilapidated facilities, was a reflection of many Orientation Camps in many parts of the country and none of which has been closed down.

The Forum wonder whether there is communication between the State and the Federal Government over the delapidation of the camp culminating in the relocation of the camp to Akamkpa.

Lamenting how the closure of the camp would impact negatively on the state which relies heavily on Youth Corps members for manpower in schools, hospitals and other establishments, they wondered if Cross River State was being targeted as the board Chairman Ntufam Hilliard Etta a Cross Riverian was nominated but neither sworn in or given the necessary support to function effectively long after his nomination for almost a year now.

The forum therefore, called on the NYSC Director General to relocate the camp to a government secondary school with boarding facilities or higher institution with accommodation temporarily while fixing the camp instead of the suspension as announced.

They also called on the federal Governments to proactively ensure that Orientation Camps nationwide are regularly maintained and upgraded for healthy and conducive environment for Corp members across the Federation..