NYSC to deploy resources against COVID-19 – Official

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it will continue to deploy both human and material resources at its disposal to fight the Coronavirus pandemic as a responsible corporate citizen.

The Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs Grace Akpabio, made the declaration at the inauguration of the Standing Committee on COVID-19 by the secretariat on Tuesday in Akure.

At the inauguration, which was done through virtual conferencing, Akpabio said that the committee was aimed at repositioning the scheme in the state to combat the novel virus.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is obvious you all know that in line with the directive of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) we need to observe both the physical and social distancing in order to stem the tide of infection of the ravaging coronavirus.

“As a result of this and to achieve the mandate thrust upon our shoulders in record time, this virtual conference becomes inevitable and I want you all to come with far-reaching suggestions that will make this assignment less challenging.

“As a first step toward achieving seamless assignment, I want to seek for your total commitment which will ultimately lead to your personal sacrifice and this will invariably lead us to collective success,” she said.

Akpabio listed the committee’s terms of reference to include coordinating the implementation of all circulars, guidelines and directives from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

She said that these also included directives from the NYSC management and other relevant government agencies on the control of the pandemic.

Others, she added, are : “Developing comprehensive guidelines for the constitution of subcommittees for the implementation of the COVID-19 guidelines in the state.

“Preparing sensitisation modules and guidelines for NYSC in Ondo State and providing adequate preventive and control measures to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus disease amongst staff, corps members and clients of the scheme.”

According to Akpabio, the measures to be taken include ensuring maintenance of high sanitary standards at the state secretariat and the local government offices of the scheme.

She added that other measures were liaising with relevant health experts and state Ministry of Health in the sensitisation of staff and corps members on issues of prevention of spread of COVID-19.

The NYSC Coordinator also said that COVID-19 Vanguards would be established in all the local governments to further propagate the project at the grassroots.

According to her, the standing committee is to perform its duties until otherwise directed by the director-general, while all reports on COVID -19 pandemic should be forwarded to the headquarters in Abuja for prompt handling.

On accessing funds and materials for the task, Akpabio encouraged the committee members to sensitise staff working with them in their various branches and units on the need for personal financial sacrifice.

“My distinguished committee members, it is no longer news that private individuals and corporate citizens have donated handsomely to support the Federal Government to combat this novel virus.

“Likewise, the political office holders are equally supportive and it will not be out of place if we can spare a little but meaningful cash from our salaries to complement government’s efforts,” the NYSC coordinator said.