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ABUJA — The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has fixed September 30, 2026, for the commencement of the three-week orientation course for prospective members of the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream One.

The orientation exercise, scheduled to take place across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, will run from Wednesday, September 30, to Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

NYSC Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, announced the schedule in a statement on Tuesday, urging prospective Corps members to prepare for the exercise.

According to the statement, registration of Corps members at the various orientation camps will commence on September 30 and end on Friday, October 2.

The swearing-in ceremony for the Batch ‘C’ Stream One Corps members is scheduled for Friday, October 2.

The NYSC said the exercise would be conducted simultaneously across the country as part of preparations for the formal commencement of the service year.

The Director-General of the scheme, Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, congratulated the prospective Corps members and course officials and wished them safe journeys to their respective orientation camps.

Nafiu, however, advised Corps members to prioritise their safety while travelling to the camps.

He specifically urged them to avoid night journeys and use only designated motor parks when embarking on trips to their orientation camps.

The NYSC also encouraged prospective Corps members to comply with instructions from the scheme and relevant security authorities throughout the mobilisation and orientation exercise.

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Hungry Nigerians grappling with economic hardship, were seen chasing an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign bus in Abuja as bread and packs of rice were distributed to residents ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a video obtained, several people were seen running after a moving van, struggling to collect the food items being thrown or handed out from the vehicle.

The people, including youths and adults, moved rapidly alongside the vehicle as it drove through the area, with some stretching their hands towards the van in an attempt to collect the packs of rice and bread.

The footage showed the scramble for the food items as the moving vehicle continued along the road, with residents following it for an opportunity to receive the distributed provisions.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over food insecurity, rising living costs and worsening economic hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.

Nigeria has experienced significant increases in the prices of food and other essential commodities in recent years, leaving many households struggling to afford basic necessities.

The distribution of food items during political campaigns has also continued to generate debate over the use of palliatives and other material incentives to attract voters ahead of elections.

However, the scenes have raised questions about the extent of economic hardship in the country, particularly the desperation of citizens to obtain basic food items during political activities.

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland and former Oyo State Governor, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, has dismissed claims that he has an anointed candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

Ladoja made the clarification on Monday when he received the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, at his palace in Ibadan.

The monarch said he had not endorsed any aspirant or candidate for the 2027 governorship contest, contrary to speculations in political circles.

Gbolarumi, a former deputy governor of the state, visited the Olubadan to seek his support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He was accompanied by the PDP State Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso; State Secretary, Dr Biola Olanipekun; and other leaders and chieftains of the party.

Speaking during the visit, Gbolarumi said his delegation was at the palace to formally present his candidacy to the traditional ruler and solicit his support as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.

The visit is coming as political activities intensify in Oyo State ahead of the governorship election, with political parties and aspirants already mobilising support across the state.