NYSC Orders State Coordinators to Comply with COVID-19 Protocols

NYSC Orders State Coordinators to Comply with COVID-19 Protocols

In preparation towards camp reopening next week Tuesday, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has directed all its State Coordinators, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to strictly comply with COVID-19 Prevention and Safety Protocols.

As Nigeria, amongst several countries battle the second wave of the virus, the scheme will continue its three weeks orientation programme for Batch “B” Stream II on 19th of January 2021 despite the increase in cases.

NYSC has, however, said that Prospective Corps Members and camp officials will be subjected to COVID-19 tests as pre-requisite for entry into the orientation camps nationwide.

Director-General of the NYSC, Brig – Gen, Shuaibu Ibrahim, made this known this after a meeting with top management and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, NYSC, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, the DG lauded the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the NCDC for recommending the safe re-opening of the orientation camps nationwide.

Ibrahim stressed that corps members are key change agents in our national development agenda as their potentials will continue to be effectively harnessed in the health, education and other vital sectors of the national economy

According to the statement: “Necessary facilities that will enhance compliance with COVID-19 prevention and safety protocols have been provided in the camps while Prospective Corps Members and camp officials will all be subjected to COVID-19 tests as pre-condition for entry into the Orientation Camps.”

Ibrahim disclosed that Corps Vanguards and enforcement teams have been appointed for all the camps, as a measure to ensure strict compliance, as well as support the national response efforts in stemming the tide of the new wave of the Pandemic.

The NCDC team led by Dr. Oyeladun Okunromade in their various presentations during the meeting portrayed the NYSC’s response to COVID-19 pandemic as a working model, currently being considered for replication in other sectors to enhance community testing, thereby, safeguarding the health of the nation.

Dr. Okunromade expressed pleasure with the facilities organised to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 prevention and safety protocols in the previous Orientation programmes. He, therefore, called for increased vigilance and support to consolidate the success already recorded for subsequent orientation exercises.