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Tag: camps

  • Orphans, IDP camps children stole show at Dogara’s high profile birthday bash

    Orphans, IDP camps children stole show at Dogara’s high profile birthday bash

    Orphans and children in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are in for a good time this year. All thanks to the N250m realized at the 50th birthday bash of House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

    The week-long event began with novelty football matches between his friends in the public and private sectors. In the match between the Senators and members of the House of Representatives, which ended in a goal apiece, Senate President Bukola Saraki equalised through a mysterious penalty kick to cancel out the earlier goal scored by the Speaker. There was also another match between the Speaker’s side and the private sector captained by industrialist Aliko Dangote.

    The final leg of the Abuja event included a church service, witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. It also included visits to 19 orphanage homes, where food items, toiletries, beddings as well as beverages and dried fish were distributed to the children.  At Treasure Orphanage Foundation and Abuja Children’s Home in Karu, a suburb of Abuja, Dogara told the children not to despair or dwell too much on the circumstances that placed them where they found themselves today.

    Dogara assured the children that the proceeds of the birthday programme, including the launch of his autobiography authored by Dele Momodu would be donated to the less privileged. He urged the authorities and the well-to-do in the country to give back to the society.

    He said: “We are here in response to the higher call of duty to support the less fortunate and less privilege in society. For the young people who are in this Home, I want to encourage you that there is no one who can stop you from rising to the top, only you can stop yourselves. All you need is discipline, the gift, the talent; time and opportunity are equally given to all of us by God. The circumstances of your birth or the situation in which you find yourself do not change the fact that God Has deposited talent in us. There are people who were in similar positions before now and have gone to accomplish so much. With God, discipline and focus, you don’t need anyone because as you are destined by God, He will provide for you.”

    At the reception held at the prestigious International Conference Center (ICC), Abuja on Boxing Day, where ‘A reed made Flint’ was also launched, not less than N250m was realised. The exquisitely decorated hall witnessed the assemblage of movers and shakers of the Nigerian society and there was no dull moment throughout the evening with star gospel artistes Panam Percy Paul and Tope Alabi providing inspirational songs. The duo of Sam and Song blew everyone away with their brand of comedy at the event chaired by Saraki.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who wrote the Forward of the autobiography that was reviewed by Reuben Abati, in his goodwill message, said Dogara was a dependable ally, while revealing that when he assumed office, one of his greatest desires was to be blessed with men of impeccable characters to steer the country right.

    “Dogara is a fulfillment of that desire,” Buhari said.  He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

    The guest list boasted of former First Lady Mariyam Abacha, Governors Aminu Tambuwa (Sokoto), Muhammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Silas Agara and Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. The event was also attended by former Speakers Dimeji Bankole and Patricia Etteh.

    Dogara revealed that Dangote Foundation Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have promised to partner him in his pet project of catering for the less privileged.

  • Police arrest reporter over protest story in IDPs camps

    Police arrest reporter over protest story in IDPs camps

    The Benue Police Command has arrested Mr Emmanuel Atswen, a reporter of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), over a report on the protest by IDPs at the International Market camp in Makurdi.
    NAN reports that the IDPs, on Sept. 12, protested against alleged diversion of relief materials, and blocked the main entrance into the camp to stop vehicles loaded with the assorted relief materials, from driving out.
    Some of the protesters, who spoke with NAN, said that they were prompted to protest because such diversion had become more persistent, insisting that it was not the first time camp officials were loading materials from the camp”s warehouse.
    Atswen, who was at the camp when the protest took place, not only filed the story, but took still and video pictures of the protesters.
    He also spoke with the Commissioner of Water Resources and Environment, Mr Joseph Utsev, who promised to investigate the protest.
    The state government had earlier removed the camp manager over alleged “irregularities”.
    Miffed by the protests, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr. Boniface Ortese, recently closed down all the camps hosting victims of the Benue floods, after claiming that they had been taken over by hoodlums.
    Atswen, who was arrested on Friday in Makurdi, is being accused of “defamation of character and falsehood”.
    One Mr Offor, the police officer investigating the case, turned down pleas by journalists and lawyers to release Atswen on bail, and ignored arguments that the offences he was being charged with were bailable.
    NAN reports that prior to Atswen’s arrest, the SEMA boss had petitioned NAN over the same story, demanding N3 billion as damages, even though neither his name nor his agency were mentioned in the report.
    The NAN management, in a press statement on Saturday in Abuja, however, said that it was standing by its protest story, and reiterated its commitment to reporting the truth always.
    The NAN management declared that the said story did not violate the tenets of the journalism profession. (NAN)

  • Minister inspects facilities at IDPs’ camps in Borno

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has visited some health facilities at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Borno State.

    The visit was aimed at ensuring that the health facilities at the camps were functional and that the ad-hoc workers providing the healthcare services are also exhibiting their best professionally.

    The minister, who interacted with the displaced persons at the camps, assured them that Federal Government would continue to provide healthcare services for them at the camps.

    Adewole, accompanied by the WHO Country Director, Alemu Wondi, the Commissioner for Health, Borno State, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, the National Co-ordinator, Health and Nutrition Emergency Response Programme, Dr. Ngozi Azodoh  and other top government functionaries, visited Teachers Village  IDP Camp in Maiduguri where a large number of the displaced persons  were receiving care.

    The minister had a discussion with some of the ad-hoc staff providing psycho-social health service at the IDP camp where he expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment shown by the ad-hoc staff in conducting their assignment.

    The minister had earlier visited the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital where patients with serious psycho-social problems were referred.  He urged the workers of the Psychiatric Hospital to be vigilant and watchful so that they could detect new challenges on different patients, especially children.

    Fielding questions from journalists after the visit, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Health remained committed to providing necessary healthcare services in the state.

    Adewole said: “Health and Nutrition Emergency Response actually started in February. I am highly impressed with what we are doing. We have come to review what we have done, access the progress and the impact and tinker with the plan so that we can become perfect.”

    Speaking on whether the programme would end within the six months initially designed,the minister said: “We know that the programme cannot end in six months, the drugs that we brought to Borno would last them for the next two years, we are quite confident that extending it would not be as costly as the initial flag-off. We don’t have to buy new ambulances, we are not buying new delivery trucks, we are not buying new drugs, what we need to do is just to keep the personnel and some money for logistics.”

    The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Alemu Wondi said he joined the Minister for the inspection to get first-hand information on what the 25 teams from the Federal Ministry of Health were doing in Borno State.

    Wondi said WHO also have other teams reaching out to communities that are far from health facilities in Borno State.

    Mshelia appreciated the commitment of Federal Ministry of Health for the Health and Nutrition Programme, adding that partners, such as UNICEF, WHO, IMO, are also in the state providing support on nutrition.

  • NYSC boss laments derelict camps

    Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier-General Suleiman Kazaure, hás bemoaned the parlous state of facilities in some NYSC orientation camps nationwide.

    The NYSC boss told reporters in Yikpata, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara  State after the facility tour of the camp.

    He said: “We are touring all the NYSC orientation camps nationwide. We are here to see the facilities in the camp.

    “ As you all aware,  it is the statutory responsibility of governments to provide camps and maintain their facilities; but I am disappointed with what I have we seen here.

    “The camp facilities are nothing to write about. I appeal to those who can reach the state governor to come to our aide. There is room for improvement. The facilities are below standard.

    “Many state governors are no longer sponsoring camp facilities. Kwara State is not left out. Some states are doing well, but I don’t want to start mentioning them.

    Earlier, Mrs. Esther Atamenwan  who is the state coordinator of the agency, reeled out some of the challenges bedeviling the camp.

    According to her, they include dilapidated buildings/obsolete facilities, poor electricity supply, porosity of the camp, poor access road, inadequate mattresses and bed bunks and water.

    She appealed to the Director-General on provision of more ceiling fans in the hostels and of smaller generator to power the camp.

  • State of NYSC Camps

    State of NYSC Camps

    The death of three Corps members in orientation camps early this month sparked anger. The incident raised questions on the state of facilities in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps.  The Nation visited some camps during the orientation for Batch B Corps members, which ended last Wednesday. We found that situation varies from camp to camp.

    The three-week orientation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for Batch B Corps members ended nationwide last Wednesday.  But it was not without drama. It was marred by the death of three corps members in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara states.  The incident raised issues about the state of facilities (medical, accommodation, feeding etc) in the camps.

    States are supposed to provide the NYSC with camps for the programme.  A visit to camps in Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, Oyo, Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Benue and Ekiti states revealed that while some were dilapidated, others were in fairly good condition but crying for rehabilitation.

     

    Oyo

    In terms of the state of infrastructure, the permanent orientation camps in Iseyin,  Oyo State, are in good condition.  Some corps members said  the structures were in good condition and have amenities like water and electricity.

    But with over 2,000 corps members posted to the camps at once, there is pressure on the facilities as the hostels gets congested.

    For instance, about 2,300 Batch B youth corps members spent three weeks at the Iseyin permanent Orientation camp.

    The government, it was gathered, had just renovated some of the facilities at the camp. The toilets were tiled; a borehole was provided and pipes laid to supply water to the toilets, bathrooms, offices and other areas.

    Speaking on the state of facilities at the camp, a female corps member from Lagos, who did not want her name in print, said the accommodation, was inadequate for large the number of corps members.

    “Well, we have to do with it, since we are not going to remain there forever.  It is just for three weeks so whatever challenges we encounter, we have to endure.

    “But that does not mean we should be treated badly.  The government should ensure adequate provision of amenities to make us comfortable as humans. We are not animals. We deserve to be treated well not what we have here,” she said.

    Efforts to get the NYSC state Coordinator, Mrs Funmilayo Akin-Moses to comment failed as she was said to have travelled.

    However, while featuring on a programme aired by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan last Friday, Mrs Akin-Moses admitted that corps members faced some challenges which, she noted, was not uncommon to humans.

    She said the training the corps members was tailored to help them cope with such challenges.

     

    Ogun

    Some 2,642 corps members stayed at the Sagamu orientation camp, which many of them described as “okay”.

    The camp was built during the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel and boasts of a moderate clinic and spacious hostels, among others.

    A female Corps member from Cross River State, who identified herself as Ini, told The Nation that the condition of the camp was satisfactory compared to what is obtainable in most universities’ hostels, where they stayed as students.

    “Everything was okay and I know that would probably be the same impression my colleagues have about the Orientation camp in Sagamu, Ogun State.

    “The clinic and healthcare providers manning the facility are adequate and even Corps members who are graduates in medicine and related fields are also part of the medical crew while the camping lasted,” she said.

    Another corps member, who declined to give his name told The Nation that the facilities at the camp particularly the clinic, the accommodation, feeding and the sanitation system were okay.

    But, another corps member (names withheld) said it could be stuffy sleeping in the hostel at night.

    “Our camp is actually beautiful in terms of infrastructure. But our hostels are too hot. It is always very difficult to sleep at night when there is no light. But if there is light, the fans will be on which makes it better,” said the corps member.

    The State Coordinator, Mr James Afoloyan, said the camp has adequate facilities to care for any health challenge and can handle emergency whenever it arises.

    He said the three-week course involved two drills, lectures to appreciate national values and productivity as well as security tips and martial arts to enhance their well-being and self defence.

    He admitted that in a programme where over 2,000 persons converged on a location for a specific period, there would be people with varied health challenges. But, he said they took care of them because the camp made adequate preparation in advance to meet any emergency.

     

    Ekiti

    The Ekiti State NYSC Camp in Ise/Orun/Emure, which hosted 2,068, needs on upgrade of facilities.

    While corps members enjoy relatively decent accommodation, the building serving as staff quarters has become dilapidated.

    Corps members told our reporter that feeding, toilets and water supply were adequate and the camp was kept clean. The camp is reputed to be one of the largest in the federation and has room for expansion.

    The Ekiti State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Tobias Ibeh, said the camp needs the state’s support.

    He said many projects on the camp were executed with limited funds by the State Office of NYSC.

    He said the camp lacks a hall that can accommodate all the corps members at once. The corps members used to have lectures under trees, he said, until the state office constructed a makeshift hall for them.

    Lagos

    The Lagos NYSC camp is said to be one of the best in the country – with good hostels, dining hall and parade ground.  Many corps members praise the quality of food.  However, overcrowding puts pressure on its facilities as well.

    A corps member said: “Our camp is okay. I am a platoon call commander and I am enjoying my camp. But the hostel is a bit stuffy. We are many in a big room. Camp food is fine and healthy. I have not heard of anyone having infections due to camp food. Also, the clinic is good.”

    Another corps member complained that inadequate toilets forces corps members to resort shot put – a colloquial term for open defecation.

    “The condition of our toilets is very bad so most people result to shot put – that is using nylon to defecate and throwing it away – because they are afraid of getting infection from the toilets.

    “Now the faeces are thrown all around that we perceive the odour even in our hostel halls,” the corps member said.

     

    Benue

    The NYSC camp in Benue State is located in Wannunue, Tarkaa Local Government Area – about 12 kilometers from Makurdi-Gboko Federal highway.

    It was constructed about eight years ago during George Akume’s tenure as governor.

    The camp is built on a small hill that overlooks the River Benue and it is cold at night and  hot in the afternoon.

    Security around the camp is tight because it is beside the Benue Police Command Training School.

    However, Corps members said facilities in the camp need to be upgraded.

    Miss Elizabeth Effoing from Calabar, said: “The facilities are perfect but there is need for the government to renovate them.”

    Paul Tochukwu, who praised the officials of the camp for maintaining a clean environment, including hostels and toilets, said the hostels need renovation.

    James Okoh from Enugu State said the clinic does not have enough drugs to treat minor cases like malaria and typhoid. He advised the authorities to  equip the clinic with basic drugs.

     

    Plateau

    Though the NYSC orientation in Plateau State has been taking place in its permanent site at Barkin Ladi-Mangu since 2014, its structures are yet to be completed.

    While the camp, which is 65km from Jos, has enough accommodation Corps members posted to the state, it lacks some basic infrastructure including a perimeter fence. The front of the camp hall a wall fence, but part of the sides are fenced with barb wires.

    A corps member, Oyeyemi Badmus, said of the security of the camp, “The state government has tried in having a permanent orientation camp, it is not all states that are able to do this.  But the issue of security is still a problem because the fencing is not complete, which is why they bring in security personnel during camping, but even at that, proper fencing is required.”

    The camp has been connected to the national grid, but the electricity supply has not been constant.

    Plateau State governor Simon Lalong has made provisions for the camp’s completion in the 2017 budget, which has been sent to the House of assembly.

     

    Ondo

    The permanent orientation camp in Ondo State is in Ikare-Akoko, about 200 kilometers from Akure.

    The road leading to the camp, especially the portion in Owo and Akungba is in bad shape that corps members experience untold hardship getting there.  They described the journey as scary.

    In the camp, there is still much to be done to complete the fencing of its premises; the accommodation is inadequate, water is scarce and power supply is epileptic.

    For several months, there has been no light in many parts of Akokoland.  This affected the camp, which relied on generator to provide light during the three-week orientation.

    However, a source at the State Directorate of NYSC said the issues have been reported to the National Headquarters for intervention.

    Cross River

    Located in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, the NYSC Orientation Camp is a three-hour drive away from Calabar, the state capital.

    The camp served as the Federal Government’s Amnesty Camp for repentant Niger Delta militants from 2010-2011. It was during this period that the camp was fenced round. The amnesty programme made the Federal Government to give the place a facelift. Modern air-conditioned cabins were provided as accommodation for officials, dilapidated structures were renovated and buildings painted. Facilities before the ex-militants started using the place, it was gathered were in deplorable condition.

    However, since the amnesty programme ended things seemed to have returned to what they were.

    Officials of the NYSC in the state refused to comment about the camp, but it was gathered that it houses over 2,000 corps members at a time.

    Corps members who spoke with our reporter, condemned the state of toilets, accommodation, electricity supply and water, among others.

    Most agreed that only the food was passable.

    “As you can see the toilets and bathrooms here are not up to standard. Besides being unhygienic, they are inadequate for the number of people that want to use them at a time. I would not lie to you, most of us here prefer to defecate in the bushes and also take our bath outside, especially very early in the morning.

    “We don’t have adequate electricity. The electricity we get is from the generator that runs from 7pm-11pm and 5:30am-6:30am. So on hot afternoons you cannot even get the fans to cool your body. The place is more like a glorified prison, I have to say. I don’t believe in the scrapping of the scheme, but I feel the Federal Government should do something urgently about improving how things are,” said a corps member who gave his name as George said.

    Another Corps member, Amaka, complained the hostels are overcrowded. “We have so many corps members camped into one hostel and I don’t need to tell you that it is quite unhealthy. Some of the rooms do not even have fans so that at night the heat from so many bodies makes it uncomfortable to sleep. Some hostels do not even have electricity, so charging phones is a problem.”

    She also complained about the toilets and quality of water in the camp.

    “The toilets and bathrooms are nothing to write home about. Their states respectively are completely unhygienic, making us, especially the girls prone to toilet infections. Efforts are always made to keep them as clean as possible, but these are far from adequate.

    “Another issue that is really serious here is the water. We realised that about one hour after you fetch the water, you see oil-like substance floating on it. This is a major problem, as one does not know the kind of diseases we may get, because it is the only water we have to bath with. Although most of us have disinfectants, I think something should be done urgently. Most of us are here because it is mandatory. We could not wait for it to finish so we can get away. The only positive I am taking from here is the new friends and contacts I have made. Orientation camps should be standard across the country.”

     

    Edo

    Okada Secondary School currently serves as the temporary orientation camp for the NYSC in Edo State. Its permanent site in Okada Town in Ovia North Local Government Area is near completion but has been overgrown with weeds.

    It was during the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion that the orientation camp was moved from Abudu in Orhionmwon Local Government Area to Okada.

    Some buildings in the camp have been completed.

    Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu last month asked NYSC management to take over ownership of its permanent structures for use by the next batch of corps members.

    Shaibu decried the state of facilities at the temporary camp compared to what he termed solid structures at the permanent site.

    He urged NYSC management to remove the overgrown weeds in order to attract government intervention.

    At the temporary camp, corps members make use of the classrooms as sleeping areas and the perimeter fence of the school is broken in places such that passersby could see the Corps members carrying out their morning drill.  But security officers were seen patrolling the compound.

    Some of the corps members complained that there were different entrances to the camp. Thereby, made the place vulnerable.

    One of them said: “You can enter through those routes and no security personnel will be aware of it even though during the day, you could see soldiers in some of those entrances but they are not very secure anyway.”

    The corps member, who pleaded anonymity, said the food was not too good adding that the hostels were overcrowded.

    A corps member said: “The accommodation and sanitation are our major problems. Also the clinic is another issue. The hostels are jam-packed. In my hostel, there are about 50 double bunks, which translates to about 100 people and our room does not have even one fan. We only have three doors and nine windows. It is very stuffy.”

    The State NYSC coordinator, Mrs Atine Akyam, refused to comment, saying, she would only speak “with permission, from appropriate authorities”.

     

  • Ideal NYSC camps

    The orientation camp experience is one of the most memorable aspects of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.  The three-week programme of physical drills, parades, sporting and cultural activities, skill acquisition, lectures, pageants and endurance treks is usually challenging, educative and fun-filled for graduates drawn from tertiary institutions nationwide and abroad.

    It is a time to form vital friendships, learn new lessons about places and people, and gain some form of work experience and skills.  However, the poor state of facilities in most orientation camps across the country detracts from the experience.

    Since I served over a decade ago, the situation in many camps has deteriorated. In my time in camp, the temporary NYSC camp in Ebonyi State – the Holy Child Girls’ Secondary School – was located in Izzi Local Government Area.  The hostels were crowded; bathing in the bathroom was a nightmare because it was usually waterlogged; and the pit latrines were a no-go area.  I joined many others to bath outside before the beagle for Physical Training went off by 5am. We got water from a bore hole which pumped once or twice daily.  When that was unavailable, we relied on a hand-pumped tap for our water supply.  I remember we experienced a day of water scarcity back then when many people could not take a bath for most of the day.  Food was another issue.  It was not always good so the Mammy market served as a veritable backup for Corps members who did not reckon with camp meals.

    Many serving and past Corps members can relate to my experience.  Not much has changed – except that the camps are even more crowded than before – especially those still using schools as temporary camps.

    The poor state of facilities is one of the reasons people from various quarters are calling for the scrapping of the scheme.  Others are: problems of insecurity, influencing of postings, under-employment of Corps members posted to secretariats of local government areas, and increasingly, the difficulty of mobilizing all eligible graduates at the scheduled time.

    This does not have to be the case.  The NYSC programme can be redesigned to be profitable for both corps members and the government.

    The NYSC should come up with a standard template for all camps in the country.  The template for accommodation should pay attention to ventilation, multiple exits, and space.  The toilets and bathrooms should be adequate for the number the camp can accommodate.   Regular water supply is not negotiable – and something should be done to solve the problem of epileptic power supply.   We know it is a national issue, but camps should invest in alternative sources.

    Camps should also have conducive halls for lectures, sporting facilities, and a skills acquisition centre for Corps members to learn all kinds of skills.  If facilities in orientation camps are in good condition, it would not only benefit Corps members, it would generate income for the scheme.  Churches, clubs, companies, should be able to rent orientation camps for their retreat programmes.

    No corps member should end the service year without learning a skill that would be a plus to their education.  After the camp, Corps members should be better monitored so that they do not idle away their time in places where they are not adequately engaged.  There is a lot to be done in this country that Corps members can help to achieve.  If they are not gainfully employed, they should be learning skills.

     

  • Health, food concerns at NYSC camps

    Health, food concerns at NYSC camps

    Three deaths in a week at three National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps during the ongoing 2016 Batch B (Stream 1) orientation have sparked concerns about the state of health and other facilities in those camps.  Some Corps members tell their stories 

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it will probe the death of three Corps members in three camps during the 2016 Batch B (Stream 1) orientation.

    Ifedolapo Oladepo died in Kano, Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi in Bayelsa, and Monday Asuquo Ukeme in Zamfara.

    Their death raised questions about the quality of healthcare, residential facilities and food as well as sanitary condition in the camps.

    Reacting to their death, which occurred last week, the NYSC Director-General, Brig-Gen Suleiman Kazaure, said all orientation camps were provided with adequate health facilities and personnel to meet emergency needs and make referrals where  necessary.

    Presenting a report to the Minser of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, in Abuja on Tuesday, Kazaure also defended the NYSC’s response to treating Ifedolapo.

    He said: “There are no student doctors as all athe doctors are fully certified by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    “The camp clinic in Kano orientation camp, as in all the camp clinics nationwide, runs 24-hour service.  Hence, she received atention at 3am on November 28 when her friends brought her from the hostel.  The camp clinic in Kano was well stocked with essential drugs for a non-surgical hospital.”

    Kazaure added that Ifedolapo died of renal sepsis, an illness she must have had before coming to camp.

    However, many Corps members are not happy with the state of facilities in their camps. They complained about lack of drugs and inadequate care in clinics.

    A Batch ‘A’ corps member at Paikoro Camp, Niger State,  told The Nation that camp doctors, mostly corps members, neglected her friend.

    “Doctors in camp are so carefree maybe because they are Corps members like you. They behave anyhow. My friend almost died in camp because of this same negligence.  She went to the sick bay to complain of serious chest pain. She was told to go for parade first.  She returned from parade with the same pain. The queue was something else. She begged to be attended to immediately as the pain was severe. Her plea fell on deaf ears and by the time she was attended to, she was given just a pain reliever.

    “They did not even try to diagnose the cause of the pain. When she went back to her room and laid down on her bed, top bunk, she could not talk anymore. Before she could call her friend on the next bunk, she found herself on the floor. She fell from the bunk and was rushed to the camp clinic. That was when they started running up and down.  She was admitted over night while her family was contacted. However she was later redeployed,” she said.

    Another corps member serving in Lagos, who simply called himself Opeyemi, said the clinics were not equipped to make diagnosis.

    “Considering the facilities, I work at the camp clinic. We only have first aid materials so we can only stabilise and not actually diagnose or treat,” he said.

    Chioma, who is at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, said the clinic lacked drugs.

    “On the first day on the field, after registration, they announced that all corps members that were ill should register at the sick bay. They have never joined us for the rigorous trainings.

    “The camp clinic is always under- stocked. The people awarded the contract to stock it with emergency drugs always tended to do away with the money and subsequently the clinic waits for philanthropists to donate drugs.

    “A pharmaceutical company donated drugs to us recently and we found it all stolen the next day.  It is quite sad,” said Chioma.

    A Corps member serving in Kano State where the late Ifedolapo died said drugs are not enough.

    “We don’t have good health facilities here at all because they don’t have drugs. Drugs are never readily available so most times, when people fall sick, the camp lets them go home. Even very basic drugs are not available. Others just manage themselves the way they can,” she said.

    The situation is not very different in Edo State NYSC Camp located in Okada.

    A Corps member said she could not get drugs to treat her cold from the clinic.

    “Our clinic is not so good. The corper doctors attending to us are good but they don’t have enough drugs. When I came to camp, I had cold and I went to the clinic. They did not have the drugs the doctor recommended so they just gave me one dose of antibiotics. Of course the cold did not go. I still have that cough till now and I have gone to the clinic repeatedly. Sometimes, they will tell me to come back tomorrow that they don’t have the drugs I need today,” she said.

    However, the situation is not so bad in some other states where corps members said they got treated in camp.

    Obinna Uzoke, a batch ‘A’ Corps member in Lagos State, said he got adequate medical attention when he needed it.

    Uzoke  said: “I camped at the Ipaja camp. Our camp officials were very attentive and supportive. Our needs or complaints were attended to as soon as we voiced out. The camp soldiers were also kind, they were not too strict.

    “I got injured in camp while participating in the athletic competition. i had bruises on both legs and i was immediately attended to. i was rushed to the camp clinic where corps members doctors attended to me though they were supervised by real medical personnel. I also noticed that all drugs required to treat me were readily available.”

    Ibukun Durosinmi who is at the Nasarawa NYSC camp, said the testimonies have been good.

    “Ever since I came here, I have not been to the clinic before.  But those who went there only told me that the clinic attend to those with mild cases such as malaria, fever, and other minor illness. When there are emergencies, I learn they take them to hospitals outside the camp,” she said.

    Bisi Zainab who is currently serving in Jigawa State, said she was well catered for at the clinic too.

    “I remember when I took ill, I was quickly attended to. The drug may not be perfect but at least it cured my illness,” Zainab said.

    Dayo Johnson (not real names) from the Ogun State camp in Sagamu, said the camp clinic runs well.

    “The clinic is good. I have seen occasions where they have sent patients in an ambulance to the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, due to their conditions,” he said.

    To address the problems with camp clinics, Dr O. Abiola of Anchors Diagnostic Centre, Ikorodu, advised the NYSC to upgrade the clinics to go beyond first aid.

    :The NYSC should focus on administering full treatment aside applying first aid alone otherwise it should just ensure only those medically fit should be in camp,” she said.

    Former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos and the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Prof Tolu Odugbemi, advised that apart from providing medical facilities, the NYSC should screen corps members.

    “There should be proper pre-entry medical checks for the grduates going for NYSC,” he said.

    Beyond investigating health issues, corps members also want the DG to know that camp accommodation and toilet facilities, as well as the food, are not the best.  However, the situation differs from camp to camp.

    The toilets and the food are a sore point for many corps members.

    A corps member in the Lagos camp said inadequate toilet facilities forces corps members to practice open defecation, a health and environmental risk.

    “The condition of our toilets is very bad so most people result to shot put – that is using nylon to defecate and throwing it away – because they are afraid of getting infection from the toilets.

    “Now the faeces are thrown all around that we perceive them even in our hostel halls.

    “Last Sunday, after church service we were asked to clean our surroundings. A pit was dug and each corps member was required to throw some of these nylons that contain faeces into the pit using different long sticks. Do you know the implication of that? Somewhere already removing maggots and smelling terribly! Some corps members were actually vomiting. But the soldiers surrounded us and made sure we did it.”

    The camp officials are nice and the clinic is functional at the Okuku camp in Kogi State.  But Mary, a corps member, said “shot put” is not strange in her camp either because the toilets are dirty.

    “The toilet facilities are very poor. They are very dirty and cannot even be used by most of corps members in my halls. So we rely on shot put,” she said.

    While Dayo says the Ogun State camp looks good on the outside, he said overcrowding has become its bane.

    He said: “The hostels are jam-packed. In my hostel, there are about 50 double bunks, which translates to about 100 people and our room does not have even one fan. We only have three doors and nine windows. It is very stuffy. We find it difficult to sleep at night because of the heat. Also, the toilets are so bad. They have people who come to clean them every day but that does not help. The toilets are too few for thousands of people we have here. They have pit latrines and water closets, yet people keep developing different infections every day.”

    But the toilets in Kano State camps do not seem to be so bad.

    Ibukun in Kano said: “Honestly things are generally okay here.  The environment is good. Our toilet and bathrooms are also okay though not perfect.”

    Zainab however said corps members are also to blame for the poor state of the toilets in the Jigawa State camp.

    “The toilets are usually clean but we often mess it up and that makes it increasingly difficult for some of us to want to use it,” she said.

    Unpalatable meals seem to be common in most camps such that many corps members rely on buying food from the Mammy Market set up with each camp.

    Mary complained about the food served in the Kogi camp, saying; “The food we are given is very poor.  It can even make you sick if your immune system is not strong so most people rely on food sold in the Mammy market,” she said.

    Dayo, like Mary, also prefers to buy his food than eat what the camp’s kitchen provides.

    “I don’t eat camp food, I buy food from Mammy market and the food there is quite nice,” he said.

     

  • Terrible tales from IDP camps

    SIR: Since Boko Haram insurgency became blustery, communities in the North-east have repeatedly experienced loss of lives, livelihood and homes.

    For all that, in what appears to be a swift move to cater for these citizens, the government introduced Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in what is supposed to be a temporary safe haven for feeding and housing. As a result of this move, donations flooded in from individuals and organizations, both locally and internationally.

    Recently, report of severely malnourished IDPs at immediate risk of death in Borno State camps was released to the media by Doctors Without Borders.

    In their report, the international humanitarian-aid and non-governmental organization stated that “Since May 23, at least 188 people have died in the camp—almost six people per day—mainly from diarrhoea and malnutrition.”

    There were also unconfirmed reports that trucks filled with rice supposedly meant for Adamawa state IDP camps have been diverted.

    At a time when our people need sympathy and support one is forced to ask: Where is the place of empathy and true fear of God we often learn from our religious houses? Did all our leaders not swear by the Bible and Quran to be fair and honest in their discharge duties?

    Aporous system and lack of positive values are some of the many maladies eroding the ethical base of socio-economic development in our society.

    For a second, let’s consider this fact: As at today, no official or comprehensive national data, or policy framework exists on IDPs in the country.

    Two things are clear: These acts are the product of an unholy coterie of people trusted with the resources and such people are deep into venal ways such as stealing from the IDPs’ aid system to take care of their pervasive needs.

    Without doubt, many feel justified in concluding that the undertaking of handling donations from individuals and organizations by those entrusted with the task of running the IDP scheme is on a steep trajectory for failure.

    The inability of just ousted government to curtail Boko Haram carnage, among many reasons, paved way for the new order with the change mantra. Likewise, it is on record that people in the IDP camps stood in lines in the midst of lack and pain to vote in the government of the day.

    Without a doubt, the government is making extensive efforts in tackling corruption and steady military progress against Boko Haram insurgents. Nonetheless, taking care of these people, amongst others, should be a priority.Security concerns, inadequate access to basic services and dolorous state of livelihood, and of recent, malnutrition isconstantly plaguing these people.

    In all seriousness, it will be inappropriate for the administration at state and federal level to remain tongue-tied while brigands with moral turpitude grow fat on largesse from IDPs.

    Moreover, the public is offended by these acts of apathy and the society is nowgrowing intolerant of cover-up. Therefore, to avoid losing the trust of the people a broad approach is needed on how to demystify this conundrum of rumoured diversion, malnutrition and deaths.

    The government should rethink the long-standing practices of sweeping news of such inhuman acts under the carpet considering social media has since taken its place as alternative to mainstream media exposing corrupt acts with audio visual confirmation.

    Finally, it is important to emphasize that it takes high moral rectitude to exercise the moral strength required to serve. Dutiful people of integrity with broad outlook for common good above their narrow group interests should be sorted and empowered and monitored. The status quo is not acceptable. The system designed to aid IDPs should not leave them out of the scheme.

     

    • David Dimas

    Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A

  • Dangote seeks help to tackle hunger in IDPs camps

    Dangote seeks help to tackle hunger in IDPs camps

    The President of Dangote Group, AlhajiAliko Dangote, has called on well-meaning Nigeria to assist the government in ameliorating the situation in Internally Displaced Persons’ Camps (IDPs) camps.

    Dangote said this is the time wealthy Nigerians should identify with thousands of citizens languishing in the camps due to insufficient facilities and food.

    The business mogul, who recently donated N2 billion and millions of Naira worth of food items on behalf of the Dangote Foundation to the IDPs, urged Nigerians to have empathy for those in the camps.

    Speaking during a visit by North East Development Coalition to his office at the weekend, the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation said he was moved by the reports of deaths and malnutrition which have hit the camps.

    He said: “We cannot open our eyes and allow our fellow citizens continue to suffer like this for no fault of theirs. We need to partner with the government and help those in the camps.

    “It is obvious government alone cannot cater for this people, not even at this time when there is a paucity fund. These people need our help and with what God has provided for us we need to help them.”

    Within a spate of five years, the total amount donated to various camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), across the country by the Dangote Foundation has grown to N6. 3billion.

  • Camps of hunger

    Alarming news from the country’s theatre of terrorism further raised the alarm about the dimensions of torment triggered by the agents of terror. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that nearly 250,000 children were suffering from “severe acute malnutrition” in Borno State as a result of Boko Haram’s terroristic activities.

    UNICEF Nigeria representative Jean Gough was quoted as saying: “We estimate that there will be almost a quarter of a million children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Borno this year. Unless we reach these children with treatment, one in five of them will die. We cannot allow that to happen.” The agency put the required intervention funds at $204 million.

    It is appropriate that the Federal Government has declared a nutrition emergency in Borno State following an emergency meeting with the Borno State government on the malnutrition crisis. Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewale said: “We are declaring a nutritional emergency in Borno. We try to put a rapid response team in place following Mr. President’s directive. We had an emergency meeting with the Borno State emergency response team, because more children might die if we don’t do something quickly.”

    The question is: How quickly can the Federal Government do something? According to acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Munir Safieldin, “While the Nigerian Government and humanitarian organisations have stepped up relief assistance, the situation in these areas requires a much faster and wider response.”

    The conflict in the country’s north-eastern region is said to have displaced 2.4 million people and has stretched food insecurity and malnutrition to emergency levels. Over half a million people require immediate food assistance, and the majority of them are either displaced by the conflict or members of the communities hosting the displaced.

    It is expected that by October, the number of those needing assistance will increase. There is no doubt that additional donor funding will be needed for continued humanitarian response in the region.

    This is why the example of Aliko Dangote deserves emulation. When on May 9 the President of Dangote Group made a donation of N2 billion to internally displaced persons (IDPs), he also made a powerful statement by his example. Apart from being the single largest donation by an individual, what Dangote gave reflected his appreciation of the enormity of the humanitarian crisis caused by terrorism.

    It was a humanitarian gesture that helped to highlight the needs of the people displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State as well as the need to help them. It was particularly remarkable because the support came from private pockets and not from the public purse.

    This exemplary humanitarian response was reinforced by Dangote’s presence. It was a demonstration of empathy that communicated the humanity of Nigeria’s and Africa’s richest man. He was touring IDP camps in Dalori and Bakassi in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, when he announced his relief package which he said would be delivered through the Dangote Foundation.

    Dangote said: “This is not the first time I am coming here and it will not be the last. So far, we have expended about N1.2 billion in efforts to alleviate the suffering of IDPs across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. The first major challenge is the physiological needs of these people, and food, nutrition rank right on top of that ladder. So we will first make serious effort to ensure that hunger is eliminated from the IDP camps and thereafter, we will begin to make effort to create jobs and boost entrepreneurship.”

    This is a welcome expression of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and it should be emulated by the country’s big private-sector players. Dangote’s action should galvanise others into action, especially considering the picture of inaction painted by no less a person than the Chairman of Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who had observed that funds raised for the sake of the IDP’s had not reached them.

    At the opening of the Council’s second General Assembly in Kaduna in November last year, the Sultan said: “When we go into closed session, we will discuss that thorny issue of displaced persons, mostly in the Northeast. It is a very sad situation; people are suffering. Billions and billions of naira have been collected or put aside for their welfare… It is important that this money be disbursed immediately via the governors.”

    The Sultan added: “We want the governors to take the issue more seriously; take it up with Mr. President and ensure the release of the funds because I was part of the team when this money was collected for the IDPs during the last government. They should find out where that money is and disburse it immediately.”

    What happened to the money? Considering the ongoing revelations of corruption in high places during the tenure of the previous government, it may well be that the funds raised to help the IDPs ended up in corrupt pockets.

    This background helps to further underline the value of Dangote’s charity. The innocent people, who are not only displaced, but also distressed, deserve help. Ultimately, giving back to society, which is the essence of CSR, is a desirable social action. Dangote’s example should serve as a wake-up call.

    In a thought-provoking drama, IDPs in Abuja on July 1 asked for direct donations when members of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) visited the New Kuchingoro Camp on a relief mission. Their Chairman, Mr. Philemon Emmanuel was quoted as saying: “We have been here since 2014; we are 1467 persons from Borno State Kozar Local Government Area and 56 from Adamawa. And we have been surviving because of the help of some churches, organisations, mosques and private individuals. We hear many times that people have donated items to assist IDPs in Abuja but don’t get to see the donations. Recently, we heard that Dangote donated items worth millions of Naira to IDPs in Abuja but we are yet to receive the items. We however want to appeal that if some people want to help, they should come through the IDPs camp so we can get the assistance directly. ”

    Of course, it is easy to express concern about the plight of the IDPs who are products of acts of terrorism by the Islamist terror group Boko Haram, which has tormented the country since 2009. It is easy to say something about how these victims of terrorism need help but do nothing to help them. There is such a thing as putting one’s money where one’s mouth is.

    It is lamentable that the country’s terrorism-related internal refugees are hungry and dying while those who can give assistance internally remain onlookers.