National Youth Service Corps Director-General, Brigadier General, Shuaibu Ibrahim has warned the prospective Corps Members for the 2021 Batch ‘C’ Stream Two Orientation Course against coming to camp with fake COVID-19 document for registration.
This was contained in a statement released on Tuesday by Director, Press and Public Relations, Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs), noting that anyone caught with fake COVID-19 document in camp would be handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.
Adenike hinted that the warning was made by General Shuaibu during a live webinar jointly hosted by the National Youth Service Corps and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in preparation for the 2021 Batch ‘C’ Stream Two Orientation Course.
Adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of all NYSC Orientation Camps across the country, General Shuaibu noted.
“Ensure that you are a good and law-abiding citizen. If you violate COVID-19 safety guidelines, we have COVID-19 vanguard in camp and you will be decamped.
“NYSC is a Federal Government agency that would key into the directive of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, directing all public servants to present evidence of COVID-19 vaccination starting from first of December this year.”
He urged all camp participants to get COVID-19 vaccine before coming to camp and also be prepared to undergo COVID-19 test, adding that only those that test negative would be allowed entry into the camp, while those that test positive would be handed over to NCDC officials for treatment and management.
According to the DG, the Scheme has been into partnership with the National Primary Healthcare Agency and State Ministries of Health on the safe conduct of Orientation Courses.
While he appreciated the Federal Government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for supporting the Scheme, especially in its Orientation Course activities since the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The Prospective Corps Members should avoid night journeys while going to camp, break your journey if it will take you beyond 6pm. You should pass the night in NYSC Secretariat, military barracks, Corps Lodge or other safe places,” he stated.
The Director-General who added that NYSC had completed seven Orientation Exercises since the outbreak of COVID-19 also warned the Prospective Corps Members against the negative use of the social media.
“Use the social media to further promote the unity of the country,” he added.
In his remarks, however, the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa noted that there was the need to adhere to all COVID-19 safety measures while he urged Nigerians to take responsibility.
“Take personal responsibility and act collectively to ensure your safety and others. Make use of every opportunity in and out of camp to get the vaccine.
“Wear your facemasks in camp, avoid large gatherings, maintain social distance between you and the next person”, he said.
According to the report, the NCDC Project Lead on Safe Camp Reopening, Dr Ladun Okunromade said all hands must be on deck to ensure that Orientation Camps meet the necessary key performance indicators.
Ladun commended NYSC Management for compliance with all the COVID-19 safety measures, adding that NCDC would continue to support the Scheme.
Preparations are in high gear targeted at infection-prevention and control measures against COVID-19, she said.
“Anyone that tests positive to COVID-19 in camp will not be sent back home, but will be taken care of by the NCDC surveilance team”, she said.
