The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, has described the reported suspension of the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to the state as a national embarrassment, blaming the development on the poor condition of the orientation camp in Obubra.

Toyo, in a press statement issued on Thursday, October 15, 2026, through her spokesman, Archibong Eyo, criticised the state government over the reported deterioration of the camp, describing the situation as an indictment of the current administration.

According to the statement, the condition of the facility has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to maintaining public infrastructure and providing opportunities for young people in the state.

“The reported suspension of corps members’ deployment to Cross River State over the deplorable condition of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Obubra is a national embarrassment and a damning indictment of the state government,” the statement said.

The ADC candidate also highlighted the state’s youth population, noting that Cross River has 1,109,927 young people who could benefit from properly maintained public facilities and youth-focused development programmes.

She argued that the Obubra orientation camp should serve not only as a training centre for corps members but also as part of a broader strategy to support youth development in the state.

Toyo Raises Concerns Over Education, Infrastructure

The ADC governorship candidate’s campaign team further alleged that the reported condition of the NYSC camp reflects wider problems affecting educational facilities and public infrastructure across Cross River State.

The statement accused the state government of neglecting educational infrastructure and failing to establish additional institutions that could improve the quality and impact of education.

“Education and educational facilities suffer from outright decay and abandonment under a government that has made no effort to add to the institutional infrastructure for making education count,” the statement added.

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Toyo’s camp also criticised what it described as the absence of a comprehensive youth development policy, arguing that young people should be central to the state’s development agenda.

ADC Promises Rehabilitation of Obubra Camp

The ADC candidate said an administration led by her party would prioritise youth development through a comprehensive policy framework designed to improve public infrastructure and expand opportunities for young people.

According to the statement, the proposed framework would include the rehabilitation of key public facilities, including the Obubra NYSC orientation camp.

It would also focus on expanding access to sports, vocational training and recreational programmes to help young people develop their skills and participate more actively in the state’s economy.

The campaign team maintained that public infrastructure should be treated as a long-term investment in the development of citizens rather than an issue to be addressed only when problems arise.

“An ADC government built on inclusivity will see and treat public infrastructure as an investment in our people and our future, not an afterthought,” the statement concluded.

The reported suspension of corps members’ deployment to Cross River has drawn attention to the condition of the Obubra orientation camp and raised questions about the maintenance of facilities used for the NYSC programme in the state.