Edith CHUKU
It was a grand-style celebration as the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, Rivers State held its cultural carnival competition for the 2026 Batch C Stream 1 corps members deployed to the state.
During the inter-platoon carnival held at the State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Nonwa-Gbam Tai LGA, platoon three representing Bini culture emerged overall winner, platoon nine who represented Ibibio came second while seven platoon that represented Tiv came third.
Cash prizes and other gift items were splashed on the corps members by the sponsors of the event, such as Addme, Crown Preminger Pasta, Mama’s Pride Groundnut Oil, Premium Semolina and Peak Milk.
Overwhelmed NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Moses Oleghe, charged the corps members to “be a source of light for everyone to see wherever you go through the promotion of healthy cultural practices.
“Be vanguards of positive culture by the promotion of peace in the communities, engendering national unity and integration, as well as building of cultural harmony amongst Nigerians of diverse cultural background and orientation.”
Oleghe described cultural carnival as an opportunity to celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and diversity.
He noted that the festival was a platform to strengthen the bonds of unity amongst corps members
The state NYSC boss commended the corps members over what he described as their active participation in the event, describing them as ambassadors of peace and harmony.
At the event which featured colourful cultural displays by the ten platoons, representing different ethnic groups across Nigeria, Oleghe urged the corps members to make their service year impactful.
