Ibrahim said this after hoodlums invaded the NYSC orientation camp in Kubwa, Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that hoodlums on Tuesday carted away mattresses, food items and other materials meant for corps members.

He said that the youth claimed to be searching for palliatives.

“We don’t have palliatives in the camps, we are preparing for our orientation.

“Imagine, the youth went away with our uniforms.

I want to appeal to Nigerian youth not to attack our camps, we don’t have palliatives there.

“It is illegal for you to use NYSC uniform and if you are caught, you will go to jail for three years,’’ Ibrahim said.

He advised the youth to return the uniforms, while urging them to key into government policies to improve their lives.

Ibrahim said that the NYSC was established for the country’s development and the scheme had contributed a lot.

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Mrs Elsie Ilori, the Head of Department, Surveillance and Epidemiology Department, NCDC, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint Presidential Tasks Force Briefing on COVID-19.

Our correspondent reports that the Federal Government has disclosed that NYSC orientation camps will reopen on Nov. 10, 2020.

Ilori said that the agency was working with the NYSC to ensure the safety of our youth and communities as they resume activities across the country in various camps.

Ilori said that COVID-19 had caused a lot of disruptions in most of the country’s activities and no one anticipated that this would happen.

“We had all planned and made preparations, our young ones had planned but unfortunately it did not happen because of COVID-19 which came and disrupted most things.

“We have been working with the Ministry of Youths and Sports through the NYSC to put in place and strengthen the infection, prevention and control capacity of the NYSC camps.

“Beyond this, we are going to support the NYSC camps with authorities to ensure prompt identification of COVID-19 cases for treatment,” she said.

She said that the key measure NCDC put in place was the use of Rapid Diagnosis test for screening corps members as they arrive in camp.

She noted that the tests were approved for use in specific settings by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it would be beneficial for the identification of COVID-19 cases for treatment given their high sensitivity and specificity.

“We’ve also a self-reporting form the Corps members will fill before they go to camps.

“The form will enable them to give their details ahead of resumption and this will give us a seamless process for sample collection.

“Every Corps member must fill this form before resuming. It is online.

“To make the process easier we are going to provide step-by-step guide on how to go about this as well as the guideline to stay safe while in camp.

“All of this we are doing in collaboration with the NYSC officials.

“Each NYSC camp will have what is known as the IPC Vanguards; they will help to monitor compliance with the COVID-19 preventive measures to significantly lower the risk of infection,” she explained.

She disclosed that the agency would also be using NYSC communication channels including the NYSC radio stations to amplify the efforts in each state as well as to sensitive the public and the NSYC community to what was being done.

“Last week, we carried out the risk assessment for the camp in Abuja and that has helped us to look at the gaps and guidelines we have set up.

“And that has helped to find risk assessment tools and this will be rolled out across the country this week.

“This tool will be used by states’ NYSC and surveillance teams to evaluate the potential risks,” she noted.

She, however, asked for co-operation by all Corps members and adherence to IPC measures for their safety and those of their loved ones.

“To ensure the safe reopening of camps, it is important that we work collectively; of course the government cannot do it alone.

“It is a collective measure and collective action. We have to exercise collective responsibility,” she said.

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Hajiya Aisha Tata-Mohammed, the NYSC Coordinator in Kano State, gave the charge in an interview with our reporter on Thursday in Kano.

Tata-Mohammed, who spoke on activities to mark the Passing out of 2019 Batch “C” Stream I corps members, also enjoined them to shun vices and be good ambassadors of the country.

She said that the Corps members were exposed to various trades during the service year under its entrepreneurship development programmes.

The Coordinator said the programmes were designed to develop entrepreneurial skills that would help them set up their businesses and contribute to the social and economic development of the country.

“It is good for the outgoing Corps members to avail themselves the opportunities of the Youth Investment Programme initiated by the Federal Government.

“The programme provide opportunities for the Corps members at the end of the service year to access loan facilities, to enable them set up their businesses without waiting for government employment, ” she said.

Commenting further, the Coordinator said that 1,996 corps members who completed the service year were issued with certificates in a low key ceremony in compliance with the COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Tata-Mohammed said that the out going Corps members comprise of 1,197 males and 798 females.

“Seven defaulting Corps members will have their service year extended for between three and four months while two others will repeat the service year.

“One Corps member died of ill health condition while three others bag award for outstanding
performances during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state,” Tata-Mohammed said.

She said the benefiting Corps members conducted community awareness creation activities on Coronavirus to stem further spread of the pandemic.

The Coordinator commended Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State for the support to the scheme.

Amoo Kehinde-Daniel and Oluwadamilare Abraham, two of the award recipients, said they conducted sensitisation activities at Tarauni Local Government Area of the state.

Abraham said the exercise was designed to educate communities on the dangers and preventive tips of the disease.

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Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the NYSC, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The NYSC advised all prospective corps members to adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols while in camp in order to have a hitch-free orientation course.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, also twitted to that effect via his official Twitter handle.

“The Resumption of the NYSC Orientation Camp for prospective Youth Corps members has been approved and opens on Nov. 10. Full COVID-19 Protocols will be enforced,” the minister said via his Twitter handle.

The Federal Government had on March 18, 2020, ordered the immediate closure of National Youth Corps Service orientation camps nationwide over coronavirus fears.

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Mr Adeyemi Abubakar, the Head, Market Development of the commission, said this at a seminar for insurance journalists, organised by NAICOM in Uyo on Saturday.

Abubakar said the strategy of the commission for penetration would be to set up weekly insurance Community Development Service (CDS) for corps members in the states.

According to him, corps members who belong to the insurance CDS group, will go round to educate communities on the benefits of insurance.

Abubakar said that the move would promote public understanding of insurance mechanism, build confidence and help in the enforcement of compulsory insurance.

“We want to collaborate with NYSC for the establishment of weekly CDS on insurance in the states. They will go round to sensitise the people and educate them on the benefits of insurance.

“People need to begin to talk about insurance in schools and other places the way they talk about banking. We want to instil trust in the minds of the people to build their confidence.”

On compulsory insurance, Abubakar listed some of them to include builders’ liability insurance, motor third party liability insurance and the group life insurance.

He noted that the commission is also partnering with the states’ fire service, revenue office and states’ Head of Service to help in the enforcement of insurance schemes.

Abubakar regretted that the insurance sector which had numerous opportunities was grossly untapped, saying that the potentials will help to improve insurance premium and contribute to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

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Ibrahim said this on Friday in Akure, while addressing corps members ahead of the Oct. 10 governorship election in the state.

He said that it was important for corps members to always maintain the neutrality that they were known for, and not run foul of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) law.

The director general cautioned them not to compromise the integrity of the scheme, and not post results of the election on social media.

He urged the corps members to always be security conscious of their environment.

Ibrahim, who later visited the Palace of Deji of Akure, said that his coming was imperative because monarchs were in the best position to speak to their subjects on peaceful conduct of the election.

He assured the monarch of adequate support of the directorate and that of corps members posted to the state.

”The traditional institutions are also stakeholders in the electoral process; I want to appeal to the traditional institutions to talk to their subjects to be peaceful before, during and after the election and at the same time protect corps members.

“I assure you of the support from the NYSC. Our corps members are digital, always tell them what you want.

“I want to urge you to tap into the resources of corps members around you,” he said.

The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, said that the election would be peaceful, free and fair.

The monarch pleaded with the corps members to be neutral.

“Whoever emerges is our governor, corps members have been doing well so far,” he said.

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Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the scheme, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

”The attention of management of the scheme has been drawn to an online publication stating that the ”NYSC is set to reopen orientation camps, lists guidelines,” alluding that the scheme will soon resume orientation programme,” Adeyemi said.

She said the scheme placed very high premium on the lives of corps members, camp officials and other stakeholders .

”Which was the key reason it suspended 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 orientation programme in March and shall never act in anyway that will compromise their safety.

“To reinforce the foregoing, it is apt to add that even when it has been sufficiently established it is safe to proceed to the camps for the resumption of normal activities, the corps shall only do so when it has received the nod of the Federal Government,” she said.

Adeyemi added that corps members and prospective corps members are advised to glean information concerning the scheme only from NYSC official sources – both the social and mainstream media.

According to her, the Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, admonished corps members and prospective ones to continue strict observance of COVID-19 safety protocols, predicated on social and physical distancing.

Others, he said, are wearing of face masks, proper washing of the hands for at least twenty seconds, and the use of hand sanitiser.The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has says its orientation camps will reopen when it is very safe, in view of the formidable danger posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, Director, Press and Public Relations of the scheme, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

”The attention of management of the scheme has been drawn to an online publication stating that the ”NYSC is set to reopen orientation camps, lists guidelines,” alluding that the scheme will soon resume orientation programme,” Adeyemi said.

She said the scheme placed very high premium on the lives of corps members, camp officials and other stakeholders.

“Which was the key reason it suspended 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 orientation programme in March and shall never act in anyway that will compromise their safety.”

“To reinforce the foregoing, it is apt to add that even when it has been sufficiently established it is safe to proceed to the camps for the resumption of normal activities, the corps shall only do so when it has received the nod of the Federal Government,” she said.

Adeyemi added that corps members and prospective corps members are advised to glean information concerning the scheme only from NYSC official sources – both the social and mainstream media.

According to her, the Director-General, NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, admonished corps members and prospective ones to continue strict observance of COVID-19 safety protocols, predicated on social and physical distancing.

Others, he said, are wearing of face masks, proper washing of the hands for at least twenty seconds, and the use of hand sanitiser.

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Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the Director, Press and Public Relations of NYSC, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

The statement quoted Brg.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the Director-General of the scheme, saying this during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in Abuja.

Ibrahim informed the NCDC boss that NYSC suspended the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course just one week into the exercise as a proactive measure to avert the spread of COVID-19 to any of the orientation camps.

He said other operations of the scheme were scaled down in line with the Federal Government’s restrictions order.

Ibrahim said that the passing-out of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream One corps members was low-keyed with full adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocols.

He said conscious of the possibility of further or complete lifting of lockdown, the strategies mapped out by the NYSC management had taken care of various scenarios, and would be presented to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 through the NCDC for guidance.

The NYSC director-general said the suspended 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One orientation course would be completed, when the scheme received the green light from the PTF.

He also briefed Ihekweazu on the various COVID-19 interventions made by the scheme especially through corps members’ activities all over the country, including sensitisation, production and distribution of face masks.

Others, he said, are liquid soaps, hand sanitiser, automated disinfection chambers as well as automated and foot-operated liquid soap, hand sanitiser and water dispenser.

Ibrahim therefore solicited the PTF’s support in the funding of mass production of the automated disinfection chambers for use in all the NYSC orientation camps.

He commended the NCDC for its role in the overall national efforts at containing the COVID-19.

Responding, Ihekweazu commended NYSC for its support to the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic through corps member’s activities.

He particularly expressed delight at the fabrication of hand washing machines and production of disinfectants among other interventions.

Ihekweazu, who praised the contributions of the scheme to the unity and development of the country, stressed that it deserved every form of support to enable it succeed.

The NCDC boss assured that the proposals presented by the NYSC director-general would be studied and recommendations made to the appropriate authorities.

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The directive, which came from the NYSC headquarters in Abuja early Wednesday morning disrupted the orientation camp of the 2020 Batch A Stream 1, across the 37 centres in the country.

The Lagos State NYSC Coordinator, Eddy Megwa, told corps members during morning meditation on the parade ground to leave the orientation camp as soon as possible.

“We have been asked to close down all orientation camps and discharged the corps members to their various places of primary assignment,” Megwa said.

He said the abrupt ending of the camp was part of preventive measures taken by NYSC against the spread of deadly coronavirus in the country.

The virus has killed over 7000 persons globally while three cases of the virus have been confirmed in Nigeria.

Megwa told corps members that the directive was passed to all the state coordinators early this morning to indefinitely shut down all orientation camps across the country.

“All corps members should avoid travelling, getting free rides from strangers, which could be detrimental to your lives,” Megwa told the corps members.

“You are expected to go back to your different residential address pending the time when all dust will be settled over this coronavirus.

“I want to believe it is to avert anything that could endanger the lives of the corps members and the staff of NYSC.”

NYSC had on Thursday 12 March performed the swearing-in ceremony for the 2020 Batch A, Stream 1 corps members, who came into the orientation camps on Tuesday 10 and were expected to leave on March 30.

The Stream 2 corps members were expected to resume camp on April 2.

All corps members would receive their transport allowance and letters for their places of primary assignment, as well as their identity cards before leaving the orientation camps.

They have also been told to report to their Local governments today.

Upon hearing the news the corps members jubilated, as they won’t be subjected to the military drills, which a lot of them dread.

A corps member, Esther Ajileye, said she was indifferent but happy that she did not have to undergo the stress of the military drills.

Another corps member Titi Odebiyi, a corp member in Lagos orientation camp said she was happy with the camp closure.

She said the reason for closing the camp showed the government has the wellbeing of the corps members at heart.

Recall that trained health personnel had screened corps members and other persons with infrared thermometers at the point of entry into the camp to guard against the possible contraction of coronavirus and Lassa fever within the orientation camps.

The Lagos State NYSC management also strengthened the preventive measures by putting water containers and hand sanitizers at various points at the orientation camp, while mandating all the staff, traders and corps members to wash their hands regularly.

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Ibrahim said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2020 batch A pre-orientation meeting of management with Area Coordinators, State Coordinators, camp directors, camp commandants and collaborating agencies.

He said that the coordinators would be held responsibly in the event of the death of any corps member during the exercise.

“The warning is for all the state coordinator to take his or her job seriously, they should not have lackadaisical attitude towards our corps members.

“We want to also let them know that the scheme places more emphasis toward the corps members because they are the future leaders of this country.

“The state coordinators must be up and doing to ensure that the welfare and security of corps members are paramount to them,’’ he said.

Ibrahim said that the 2020 Batch A orientation programme was scheduled to hold in all the orientation camps nationwide from March 10 to March 30.

He commended the collaborating agencies and camp officials on their commitment and teamwork which led to the successes recorded during the 2019 Batch B orientation courses and previous exercise.

Ibrahim said that the meeting was to enable the scheme to evaluate the previous orientation courses, brainstorm and evolve strategies for the success of the forthcoming exercise.

He said the meeting would unveil policies and operational guidelines for implementation in all the orientation camps nationwide.

Ibrahim urged all camp officials to work hard and imbibe team spirit so as to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

“Their experiences during the orientation course play a pivotal role in the overall success of the service year,’’ he said.

Ibrahim said the meeting would tackle issues, such as orientation camp facilities, corps members’ security, management intervention, corps welfare and corps members’ dress code.

He said that the tailors operating in the camps should be warned to observe prescribed limits while adjusting the uniform for corps members or risk being decamped.

According to him, the meeting must pay special attention to the welfare of corps members and camp officials.

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