The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)

  • NYSC deploys 2,600 Batch B corps members to Oyo

    NYSC deploys 2,600 Batch B corps members to Oyo

    No fewer than 2,600 2016 Batch B stream 11 corps members will undertake the three-week orientation at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp, Iseyin, Oyo State.

    Mr Simeon Bankole, the Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of NYSC in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday that the orientation course would hold from Jan. 24 to February 13.

    Bankole said, however, that the swearing-in of the corps members would be held on January 26.

    He said that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State would preside at the occasion, while Justice Munta Abimbola, the state’s Chief Judge, would administer the oath of allegiance on the corps members.

    Bankole urged Oyo State residents, especially the transport unions, to extend their hands of fellowship to the corps members, adding that many of the corps members were visiting the state for the first time.

    Corps members will now be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable them to access quality healthcare.

  • NYSC: Zainab Isah is new coordinator for Nasarawa

    NYSC: Zainab Isah is new coordinator for Nasarawa

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has appointed Mrs Zainab Isah as its new coordinator in Nasarawa State.

    A statement by the NYSC said that Isah took over from Mrs Habiba Bappah, who has been transferred to its headquarters in Abuja.

    Until her new appointment, Isah was a Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Statistics at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja.

    The new state coordinator, who had resumed duty, solicited the cooperation of the people of Nasarawa State to enable her succeed in her new assignment, the statement said.

  • More corps members deployed to Zamfara rural schools

    More corps members deployed to Zamfara rural schools

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said on Tuesday that the scheme was assisting the government in reviving the education sector by deploying more corps members in rural schools.

    The Zamfara Coordinator, Mallam Ballama Bello, made this remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau.

    “We are aware of the fact that most of the schools in rural communities in the state have problems of inadequate teachers.

    “We are therefore posting corps members to these schools in order to contribute to the educational development of our children.

    “One of the NYSC’s objectives is to utilise the corps members in nation-building efforts; so we are now using the scheme to support education as the bedrock for future development.

    “We have been collaborating with the state Ministry of Education to realise this objective and we are ready to partner with government or non-governmental organisations for national development,’’ he said.

    Ballama urged the corps members to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and that they should always be security conscious.

    “You should be dedicated, disciplined, law-abiding, transparent and also respect the culture and religion of your host communities,’’ he said.

    The coordinator said efforts were being intensified by the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, to improve the scheme.

    He lauded the government support for the scheme, noting particularly that the State Government had connected the scheme’s permanent orientation camp in Tsafe to the national grid.

    Ballama also described as a welcome development, the government’s plan to embark on the renovation of the camp, even as he lauded the security operatives for their support.

  • Police task NYSC members on security

    Police task NYSC members on security

    The Police Command in Enugu has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state to be security conscious and stay away from crime.

    The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr Ebere Amarizu, gave the advice at the orientation camp in Awgu, near Enugu, on Tuesday.

    He also urged the corps members to be disciplined and shun vices and acts that could ruin their dreams.

    “In this service scheme, there is a need for you to shun all manner of crime and criminality so that you can contribute your quota to the nation’s development,” Amarizu said.

    He assured the corps members of the command’s readiness to partner with sister security agencies and other stakeholders in the state to ensure their safety in Enugu.

    The PPRO also appealed to them to be patriotic and respect the traditions and culture of their host communities.

    “Youth should be patriotic and law abiding wherever they find themselves and also respect the tradition and culture of their host communities,” he said.

    Amarizu charged the 2,169 corps members to engage themselves in different skill acquisition programmes, as this would make them be self-reliant after the service year.

    Some of the NYSC members said that the lecture by the police officer gave them hope that wherever they may be in the state they would be protected.

    One of them, Mr Adeolu Ayodele, said it was gladdening to hear from the police that they would be stated in the state.

    Another, Esther Uko, said that security was of utmost importance and she was happy to have been posted to a well-secured state.

  • Senate seeks immediate overhaul of NYSC scheme

    Senate seeks immediate overhaul of NYSC scheme

    The Senate Thursday asked the Federal Government to immediately overhaul and reposition the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the interest of corps members.

    The resolution followed death of three corps members, Miss Ifedolapo Oladepo, Miss Elechi Chiyerom and Mr. Ukeme Asuquo in their orientation camps in Kano, Zamfara and Bayelsa respectively.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, (Osun Central) painted the pathetic deaths of the corps members at NYSC camps.

    The upper chamber agreed with Adeyeye that step should be taken for the total overhaul of NYSC scheme.

    The Senate agreed that the state of orientation camps across the country was unfit for human habitation.

    Apart from total overhaul of the scheme, the Senate urged the Government to immediately improve medical facilities in all NYSC orientation camps including deploying experienced medical personnel to the camps.

    The upper chamber also mandated its Committee on Sports and Youth Development to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the three corps members in order to guide against future occurrences.

    Adeyeye said: “The death of corps members are becoming a recurrent decimal in almost all NYSC Camps across the country. Experienced Medical personnel’s are practically non-existent in all our Orientation Camps across the country as fresh doctors who have not garnered any experience are the ones administering treatments to the corps members.

    “Medical facilities at most Orientation Camps leave a lot to be desired as one of the deceased, Ifedolapo called home five hours to her death and told her older sister, Mrs. Oyeyode Abimbola (a nurse) to start coming to her Kano Orientation Camp, alleging poor care at the NYSC camp.

    “An Orientation Camp that houses over three thousand corps members cannot boast of modern facilities to cater for the needs of corps members while undergoing the mandatory Orientation Programme.

    “NYSC officials are not up and doing in their official duties as they expose these corps members to all manner of dangers. I strongly believe that NYSC needs total overhauling particularly its healthcare system.”

    Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) in his contribution described the death of the corps members as a sad development for the country.

    Bwacha said, “What I have heard confirms what I thought was in the realm of speculations. It may not have been intentional, but I think it was an act of irresponsibility. How can we not provide medical attention to a sick person? We look forward to the outcome of the investigation.

    “An example should be set. To say the least, this is a barbaric act. That calls for a rethink about the NYSC Act.

    “Is it really worth it to go and die in an orientation camp? Politicians use these same corps members to rig elections and we do not value their lives.”

    Senator Binta Garba (Adamawa North) on her own noted that “It is time to look and overhaul the NYSC as an agency of government.”

    She added, ”We need to think if NYSC is still needed in this country. If someone says he or she is sick, why won’t they attend to the person? From what we have seen, we need to overhaul the NYSC. We need to look into the activities of NYSC.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also underscored the need to address the issue of health services in NYSC orientation camps.

    Saraki said that funds to address the issue of health services in NYSC camps should be captured in the 2017 budget.

     

     

  • Buhari orders probe of death of NYSC member

    Buhari orders probe of death of NYSC member

    …Condoles families of dead NYSC members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered independent investigation of the death of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Miss Ifedolapo Oladepo in Kano State.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President’s fresh probe is to unravel the true circumstances surrounding her death.

    The President also commiserated with the families of three NYSC members who lost their lives recently during the 2016 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Programme in three States of the Federation, including Ifedolapo.

    He described the demise of the young Nigerians as “shocking, sad and unfortunate,” noting that they died in the course of answering the national call to serve.

    He urged the families, friends and associates of the deceased to be consoled by the knowledge that their loved ones paid the supreme price while on national service and not for ignoble reasons.

    President Buhari also extended condolences to the Director-General and Management of the NYSC over the transition of the youth corps members, Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme, in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively.

    While enjoining the Management to do all within its powers to protect the lives of those under its charge, the President called on parents and guardians of current and potential NYSC participants not to panic over the recent tragic deaths.

    He prayed that God will grant the souls of the departed youths eternal rest.

  • Vice-chancellor wants NYSC to remain

    Vice-chancellor wants NYSC to remain

    Prof. Olurotimi Ajayi, the Vice-Chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun, on Wednesday said that the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme should not be scrapped.

    Ajayi told journalists in Lagos that the NYSC scheme was a national heritage and a symbol of Nigeria’s unity.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the clamour by some people that the scheme should be scrapped.

    The scheme was established in 1973 by then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil war.
    The scheme, set up by decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973, seeks the development of common ties among Nigerian youths and the promotion of national unity.

    Ajayi said that the NYSC scheme should be protected and preserved since its objective was the promotion of national unity among Nigerians, which it was fulfilling.

    “The NYSC scheme is fulfilling its mandate and nothing should hamper its operations; if anything, it must be guarded jealously.

    “The scheme was set up to achieve a target of fostering unity among the ethnic tribes in Nigeria, which it has been performing to a large extent.

    “I will not in any way support its scrapping because aside from that of unity, it also helps the youths to visit other parts of the country.

    “Ordinarily, some of the youths wouldn’t have had the opportunity to travel to those places, save the scheme. But more importantly, it enables youths from across the country the opportunity to interact,’’ he said.

    The vice-chancellor said rather than abolish the scheme, the government could look at its challenges in order to put it right.

    “Rather than scrap the scheme, the government should look at the challenges facing the scheme such as insecurity, poor incentives and welfare of the corps members.

    “Government can also try to look into restructuring the scheme for better efficiency and coordination; it can be made a skill acquisition centre for youths.

    “Corps members that are not comfortable with some parts of the country due to security reasons should not be forced to go there because the safety of the corps members comes first.

    “The corps members’ allowances should also be reviewed to reflect present realities,’’ he said.

    On the University’s forthcoming convocation slated for Dec. 14, Ajayi said that the number of first class graduates produced by the institution had increased by nine.

    He said that this was a reflection of the quality of teaching and supervision by the university.

    “There was an increase in the number of first class produced by the university and this is due to the increase in the number of students that are desirous of academic excellence.

    “The university is also not resting on its oars to ensure that its products can compete favourably with their counterparts from other universities.

    “We are not only seeking to promote academic excellence, but also to produce graduates with the fear of God; I mean youths that will not engage in corruption.

    “Our country is in dire need of responsible youths; youths that will eschew corrupt practices,’’ the vice-chancellor said.

  • Youth corps member dies in Bayelsa

    Youth corps member dies in Bayelsa

    A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) identified as Miss ‎Elechi Chiyerum was, Wednesday, confirmed dead after she was found sick at the orientation camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokoma, Bayelsa State.

    It was gathered that the deceased reported to the camp with a sickness that made her to bleed and vomit.

    The late Elechi, 27, who hailed from Rivers State and studied at the Ignatius Azuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, was reportedly found vomiting at her lodge.

    She was said to have arrived the camp sick and could not participate in most activities lined up for the opening session of the orientation.

    Some NYSC officials who spoke in confidence described the incident as a case of non-disclosure of an ailment by the corps member.

    A search in her hostel was said to have revealed excessive bleeding with some sanitary pads and her dresses soaked in blood.

    A source from the camp said the corps member was found vomiting and bleeding and was immediately rushed to the camp’s clinic.

    The source who spoke in confidence said after initial treatments, the doctors found her case severe and referred her to a hospital.

    “She was driven to a hospital in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital. Unfortunately before getting to the hospital she died. She died on Tuesday at about 9pm. She was only five days old at the camp.

    “The news of her death shocked everybody. We have not recovered from it because it is painful to die that way after going through higher institutions”, she said.

    The state Coordinator, NYSC, confirmed the incident describing it as unfortunate.

    He advised corps members to always disclose their health conditions to corps’ authorities.

  • NSCDC operative, youth corps member drown in Bayelsa boat mishap

    NSCDC operative, youth corps member drown in Bayelsa boat mishap

    An operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member have drowned in Bayelsa State following a boat mishap.

    It was gathered that the boat incident occurred along the waterways of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

    It was learnt that the unidentified NSCDC operative died on Wednesday during an operational tour along the Lobia area of the Southern Ijaw waterways.

    The patrol boat conveying the team of NSCDC reportedly collided with another boat when it was pursuing suspected oil pipeline vandals.

    The corps member, who was said to be serving at Okpotuwari community in Southern Ijaw, also died in a separate boat accident.

    The incident reportedly happened at about 2pm on Thursday at a jetty in the community.

    Other passengers in the ill-fated boat were said to have rescued and taken ashore.

    Some sources identified the corps member as a male and an indigene of Anambra State.

    They said the incident happened when a local boat conveying them across the river of Okpotuwari and Ondewari tumbled and threw the occupants overboard.

    While two of the victims were said to have been rescued alive by community divers, the corps member was unlucky and got drowned.

    The corps member and others were said to have crossed over to Ondewari community and were returning to their base in the ill-fated boat when the tragedy happened

    But, another community source, who spoke in confidence alleged that the driver of the boat conveying the corps members lost control of the boat on getting close to the jetty due to high sea tides.

    He said that the high current caused the boat to capsize.

    He noted that while the deceased corps member was unlucky to have drowned before help could come his way, his colleagues were rescued by community folks.

    When contacted, the state coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Anthony Ekeocha, the incident was reported to him by the Southern Ijaw Zonal Inspector.

    But he said he had yet to get full details of the incident.

    Also, a top officer of the Bayelsa Command of the NSCDC confirmed that the operative died when their boat collided with another boat during a chase on oil vandals.

    “When the boat collided, the operative fell into the water. Because he could not swim, he drowned before rescue team arrived”, the officer who spoke in confidence said.

  • Edo poll: APC wants to distribute special pen – PDP

    Edo poll: APC wants to distribute special pen – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarms that the ruling All Progressive Congress planned to distribute special pen to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

    It said the purpose was to ask the NYSC members to use the pen to write the election results on the result sheets.

    State Vice Chairman of the PDP, Emmanuel Ogbomo, stated this at a stakeholders meeting in Benin City.

    However, Ogbomo did not state what effect the special pen will perform on the result sheets.

    He urged officials of the NYSC to warn corps members not to collect the special pen from APC agents.