,***Coordinator Assures Corps Members of Security
Corps members serving in Niger State have celebrated Nigeria’s cultural diversity at the 2026 Cultural Carnival, with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) State Coordinator, Martina Shuaibu Ibrahim, assuring them of adequate security.
The event, held on Saturday at the NYSC orientation camp, brought together corps members from different parts of the country to showcase their cultural heritage through traditional dances, colourful costumes and artistic performances.
The carnival offered the 2026 Batch C Stream One corps members a break from the regimented routine of the two-week orientation exercise.
From the North to the South and East to West, the various ethnic groups displayed their traditions in a celebration of national unity.
The event attracted dignitaries from the host community, Paikoro Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.
The celebration began with a cultural march-past, as members of different platoons filed out in traditional attire representing their ethnic identities.
Niger State featured prominently, with its three major ethnic groups—the Gbagyi, Nupe and Hausa—adding colour to the festivities.
Other groups represented included the Igbo, Edo, Yoruba, Efik, Ibibio, Fulani, Angas, Eggon, Isoko, Idoma, Kanuri and Jukun, among others.
The march-past was followed by traditional dances, with the judges facing the difficult task of selecting outstanding performances from the competing groups.
Addressing the corps members, Ibrahim said their performances had vividly demonstrated Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and the values of national integration, peace and unity upon which the NYSC was founded.
She described the carnival as more than an entertainment event, saying it provided an opportunity for young Nigerians to appreciate one another’s traditions and build lasting relationships across ethnic boundaries.
“I am profoundly moved by the spectacular explosion of colours, fabrics, beads and artistic expressions on display,” she said.
According to her, cultural exchanges help break down prejudice, challenge stereotypes and strengthen mutual understanding among Nigerians.
She urged corps members to carry the lessons of tolerance and respect beyond the orientation camp and apply them in their host communities.
“The lessons of tolerance, mutual respect and unity that you practise today must follow you out of this camp,” she said.
Ibrahim also encouraged them to respect local customs, build relationships with their host communities and contribute positively to national development.
She advised the corps members to take advantage of the orientation programme, particularly the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development initiative, to prepare for economic self-reliance.
The carnival ended with performances that celebrated the country’s cultural richness while reinforcing the NYSC’s goal of promoting national cohesion among young Nigerians.