ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved the establishment of a permanent orientation camp site for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Auno, Konduga Local Government Area of the state.
The current temporary NYSC camp will be moved to Government Secondary School, Auno, situated along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Expressway.
The governor explained that the decision to relocate the camp was informed by considerations of security, sustainability, and the anticipated expansion of Maiduguri metropolis and Konduga Local Government Area.
Speaking on Friday during an inspection of the proposed facility alongside the Director General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, and other senior officials of the Corps, Zulum said: “The state government’s decision was driven for long-term planning rather than short-term conveniences.
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Beyond ensuring conveniences to both the state government and NYSC, the Governor stated: “One of the key reasons I am proposing this location for the NYSC permanent orientation camp is sustainability. In the next one or two years.
“We may be hosting between 3,000 and 5,000 corps members,” noting that Keeping such population of corps members within Maiduguri could create pressure on the existing infrastructures and other services to the public.”
The governor further noted that the ongoing construction of a 113-kilometre bypass, located about 2.5 kilometres from the proposed NYSC camp site, would improve what he described as ” accessibility, while the Teaching Hospital, which is expected to be inaugurated within the next two to three months.
He added that the presence of Kashim Ibrahim University (KIU), located along the expressway, further highlights the strategic importance of relocating the NYSC orientation camp to Auno.
On the issue of coordinated urban development within the Njimtilo-Auno axis, Zulum said: “This emerging corridor is fast becoming a major institutional and development hub. If we are very serious about long-term development planning, we must move to a more spacious and strategic safe location at Auno.”
According to him, the proposed facility features two hostels with eight dormitories, a dining hall and kitchen, 26 classrooms with attached offices, seven laboratories, 12 additional rooms, an overhead water tank, and a functional solar-powered borehole.
He added that the classrooms alone can accommodate between 1,300 and 1,500 corps members at a time.
Addressing security concerns, Zulum assured that the permanent orientation camp could be properly fortified, citing the proximity of security formations and a military checkpoint along the Maiduguri-Auno corridor.
Zulum continued: “If this place (camp site) is deemed suitable after your assessment, we will fortify and secured the perimeter fence, improve security architecture, and install modern technological gadgets to prevent intrusion insurgents. Once properly secured, this location in Auno will be ideal and safe to all the corps members and staff.”