COVID-19: NYSC Contemplates Reopening Orientation Camps

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said it is planning for the reopening of orientation camps in the country as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease off in Nigeria.

The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, made this known on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in Abuja.

According to the NYSC DG, the body is conscious of the fact that the Federal Government may fully lift the COVID-19 lockdown in the country and has thus mapped out strategies to reopen the camps.

Brigadier General Shuaibu noted that the NYSC will present its strategies to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 for guidance, stressing that the suspension of the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course, just one week into the exercise, was a proactive step to avert the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

He added that the operations of the NYSC have been toned down in consonance with the government’s directives on COVID-19, noting that the Passing-out of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps members was low-keyed and in full compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Also, he said the suspended 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course would be finished if the scheme gets a go-ahead from the PTF, revealing that the NYSC via corps members have contributed their quota towards the fight against the pandemic.

The NYSC boss listed the activities of the corps members to include “sensitization; production and distribution of face masks, liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, automated disinfection chambers; as well as automated and foot-operated liquid soap, hand sanitizer and water dispenser.”

While commending the NCDC for its role in the country’s fight against the pandemic, the NYSC DG called on the PTF to back mass production of the automated disinfection chambers for use in all NYSC Orientation Camps.

On his part, the NCDC DG lauded the NYSC for its contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria, adding that the scheme deserves support in every manner to succeed.

Dr Ihekweazu further said the agency will look into the proposals presented by the Director-General, noting that the right authorities will give recommendations.