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  • COVID-19: NYSC Officer Died At Isolation Center Not In Camp – DG

    COVID-19: NYSC Officer Died At Isolation Center Not In Camp – DG

    The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, has reacted to claims that a top officer who was posted to the permanent orientation camp in Kano State died of COVID-19 in camp.

    Ibrahim in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday explained that the officer was tested before he entered the camp and was taken to the isolation center after he tested positive and eventually died in isolation.

    “It is not true that the officer died in the camp, in line with the PTF and NYSC guidelines all prospective corps members and camp officials that are invited for the orientation exercise were tested. It is mandatory that all must be tested. It is only those that are negative that are allowed into the camp.

    “Those that are positive are taken away by the NCDC and state officials for treatment and that was what happened. The officer concerned just like any other NYSC officials underwent the test and when he was positive he was taken by the NCDC to Kano State isolation center and that was where, unfortunately, he passed on, not in the camp,” the DG explained.

    The NYSC boss stressed that there are not NYSC members that are positive inside the camp as they were all tested before entry into the orientation camps.

    According to him, NYSC orientation camps across the country are supervised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    “I have always cleared the air that it is only those that are negative that are allowed into the camp. Those that are positive are taken away by NCDC.

    “We were the first agency to give NCDC our modalities for camp re-opening and they looked at it critically along with the PTF and the approval was granted.

    “Even I was tested along with my officials. None of our officers died in the camp,” the NYSC DG said.

    The Federal Government last week threatened to shut down any NYSC orientation camp that violates the COVID-19 protocol.

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare gave the warning at the media briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, held in Abuja.

    The Minister said the lives and health of the corps members are a priority to the government and the affected camps will be shut and the corp members will be reposted to nearby states to continue the orientation exercise.

     – Camp Testing –

    No fewer than 34,685 people were recently tested for COVID-19 across all the NYSC camps in the country.

    The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed this in November at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja.

    He told reporters that those whose samples were collected included corps members and NYSC officials in various camps.

  • NYSC resident officer in Kano dies of COVID-19

    NYSC resident officer in Kano dies of COVID-19

    The orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano State has been thrown into fear after one of its resident officials died from COVID-19 complications.

    Reports had it that the deceased who was the representative of the Director-General of the scheme at the camp was earlier evacuated from the NYSC orientation camp in Kusala Dam, Karaye, about 95 kilometers from Kano metropolis after testing positive for the infection. He was deployed from the headquarters to supervise the ongoing regimental orientation exercise expected to come to an end on February 8 in Kano.

    A source in the scheme who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the Resident officer was tested positive for COVID19 at the facilities provided in the camp and was immediately taken to Kwanar Dawaki Isolation Centre on Monday, February 1. Sadly, he died on Tuesday, February 2.

    Confirming the development, the management of the scheme said the unnamed official was on official assignment in Kano State for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation exercise where he was tested and confirmed positive at the gate leading to his evacuation to the isolation centres where he died.

    “The Management of the NYSC regrets to announce the sad loss of our committed and dedicated staff while on official assignment in Kano State, for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation exercise.

    “The officer was tested for COVID-19, as precondition for admittance to the Orientation camp, just like all other camp officials and prospective Corps Members in the 37 NYSC Orientation camps nationwide, as prescribed by the Presidential Task Force on COVID – 19 and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC).

    “The test result was positive for the officer, and was subsequently moved to the Kano State Isolation Centre for proper care but unfortunately succumbed to the Virus.”the statement read

    The Economic Sustainability Committee led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had in June last year called on the Federal Government to consider suspending the NYSC orientation camp exercises for two years. The Federal government however ignored the advice and reopened the camps in November 2020.

    Since the camps were reopened, many corps members have tested positive for COVID-19.

  • Gov Fintiri apologizes over hoodlums invasion, vandalism in State NYSC camp

    Gov Fintiri apologizes over hoodlums invasion, vandalism in State NYSC camp

    Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has apologised to the National Youth Service Corps for the invasion of its orientation camp in the state by hoodlums.

    The camp was invaded and vandalised by the hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.

    Fintiri who described the incident as unfortunate said the state intervened swiftly to fix the damage done and also replaced some of the items carted away by the hoodlums.

    He said this on Wednesday when he received the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, at the Government House, Yola.

    The Governor promised to ensure a conducive environment for corps members whom he said have been contributing to the state’s socio-economic development.

    “We will sustain our cordial relationship with the Scheme, and improve on the welfare and security of these young people, who have left their comfort zones for Adamawa State in the service of our fatherland,” he said.

    Some of the Governor’s effort includes the provision of a brand new ambulance, 1,000 new mattresses, renovation of camp clinic among others.

    This was confirmed by Shuaibu who appreciated the Governor for his sustained support for the NYSC.

    The Director-General called for more support from the state through the provision of a perimetre fence and parade ground pavilion as well as the upgrade of the clinic at the orientation camp.

  • No corps member in Cross River tested positive for COVID-19 – NYSC

    No corps member in Cross River tested positive for COVID-19 – NYSC

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Cross River State has denied reports that thirteen corps members tested positive for COVID-19 in the State.

    Mr Enuma Peter, NYSC’s Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations unit, said no corps member currently in the orientation camp in Calabar, tested positive.

    “NYSC wishes to assert that presently, no registered 2020 Batch B Stream II corps member in Cross River is COVID-19 positive.

    “It is worthy to note that all prospective corps members for the ongoing programme underwent COVID-19 test conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control, which is a condition for admission into any of the 37 camps in the country.”

    The management noted that the Cross River Commissioner for Health has not requested or received any brief from the NYSC on the ongoing COVID-19 test of corps members at the orientation camp in Obubra Local Government area of the state .

    Peter warned that any report aside that of the joint release from NYSC and NCDC from the ongoing orientation course may not have given the true picture of the state of affairs.

    “The management of NYSC in Cross River would like to use this opportunity to add that all orientation camp officials and visitors to the camp are also continuously tested by officials of NCDC while the entire camp community ensures strict compliance to all COVID-19 protocols.

    “It is also misleading to blame the increased number of coronavirus cases in Cross River to the activities of NYSC, considering that there is free movement of Nigerians across state’s boundaries which has nothing to do with the orientation course,” the statement added.

  • WHO/NCDC Inspects Adamawa NYSC Orientation Camp

    WHO/NCDC Inspects Adamawa NYSC Orientation Camp

    By Musa Isa Ahmed

    The World Health Organization (WHO) and NCDC visited the Adamawa NYSC Orientation Camp to assess the camp building capacity and level of preparedness for the hosting of the 2020 Batch B Stream II Orientation Course.

     Speaking on behalf of the team, the State Covid-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Stephen John, commended the NYSC State Coordinator, Mal. Ibrahim M. Tukur, for putting all the necessary Covid-19 safety measures in place for the smooth conduct of the Orientation course. 

    The State Coordinator on his part appreciated the WHO and NCDC team for their critical support particularly with the testing of all prospective corps members, camp officials and camp market operators, in addition to any necessary visitor. 

    The team inspected the critical camp facilities particularly the camp clinic and Covid-19 holding centre.

    Other members on he team included Dr. Adrel Apaga of WHO, Dr. Anas Ibrahim of NCDC, Dr. Bosler Lazarus as well as Dr. Joseph Dika.

  • 13 corps members test positive for COVID-19 at Cross River camp

    13 corps members test positive for COVID-19 at Cross River camp

    13 Corps members have reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus at Cross River State NYSC orientation camp.

    The Commissioner for Health in Cross River State Betta Edu who commented on the 13 new cases recorded in the state on Sunday January 24, the highest so far in the state, said;

    “We had people who came in from the NYSC, about 13 of them were positive cases. So, these are people who moved into our state from other states.

    “The other ones are people who are residents in the state.

    “However, it clearly shows that the second wave of the COVID-19 is here on us, so people need to improve on their level of adherence to all the COVID-19 protocols.

    “It is also a call for the federal government to see that they can immediately come in and help Cross River State fix their lab so that we can do community sampling and testing and really have a true picture of what might be going on in communities, as we already do know that community spread is taking place.”

  • NYSC Admits Corps Members in Streams to Ensure COVID-19 Compliance

    NYSC Admits Corps Members in Streams to Ensure COVID-19 Compliance

    As the 2020 Batch “B” Stream II Orientation Course commences, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has admitted corps members in the stream to ensure compliance with the Federal Government’s directive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    At a visit to the NYSC camp in Lagos State on Tuesday, Channels Television observed that officials renewed safety measures at different institutions to allow daily activities to continue without endangering lives.

    NYSC Lagos Coordinator, Eddy Megwa, said the camp authorities had to segment the prospective corps members to 200 to prevent a surge of the virus.

    “We wouldn’t like to have an upsurge at the registration point, even right at the gate. And so, they have sectioned them,” he said.

    “Maximum, we have reporting in a day here is just 200 or even less than that. All of them will not come at the same time. This is to give room for us to have enough space for us to attend to them individually.”

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has said that the country has the capacity to store up to 400,000 doses of the expected COVID-19 vaccine.

    The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib disclosed this during a tour of the National Strategic Cold Store in Abuja.

    Nigeria is expected to receive 100,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by the end of January.

  • NYSC Gives Conditions for Admitting Corps Members into Camp

    NYSC Gives Conditions for Admitting Corps Members into Camp

    Ahead of the commencement of the 2020 Batch “B” Stream II Orientation Course on January 19, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has given conditions for admitting corps members into camps nationwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In a series of tweets on Saturday, the agency said prospective corps members must possess a clearance certificate showing that they are not COVID-19 positive.

    “The same measures adopted for the November and December 2020 Orientation Courses are going to be applied to the 2020 Batch “B” Stream II Orientation Course commencing, Tuesday, January 19, 2021, with stricter enforcement of all the safety protocols.

    “The NYSC and NCDC are working closely for a successful exercise as recorded previously. Accordingly, members of the general public are advised to disregard the unbalanced and cooked-up reportage designed to deliberately create fear and panic in the minds of unsuspecting Nigerians.”

    The federal government had on March 18, 2020, ordered the immediate closure of the NYSC orientation camps nationwide over COVID-19 fears.

    The 2020 Batch A Stream One NYSC members arrived on the camp on March 10 and were expected to leave three weeks after.

    However, the camps were reopened on November 10 after being shut for over 10 months to curb the spread of the virus.

  • 731 Batch B NYSC members test positive for COVID-19 – PTF

    731 Batch B NYSC members test positive for COVID-19 – PTF

    The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has revealed that 731 members of the National Youth Service Corps Batch B have tested positive for COVID-19.

    The chairman, PTF on COVID-19, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, stated this at the national briefing on COVID-19 on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, in continuation of the NYSC engagement, the PTF has conducted the testing of Batch B corps members using RDTs. Out of the 35,419 in Batch B, 731 tested positive compared to the 108 recorded in Batch A.

    “It is on record that cases were recorded from corps members from every state of the federation,” he said.

    The PTF chairman said “there is also a rising rate of infections among healthcare workers and this calls for the escalation of surveillance.

    “In Africa, Nigeria has joined South Africa in reporting the highest daily infection cases.

    “​As of date, the statistics for Nigeria shows the following: Cumulative cases – 91,351; Cumulative Tests – 958,911; Deaths – 1,318 and Week 53 recorded 57 deaths which is the highest for any single week since we started,” he said.

    Mustapha further stated that “we are pleased to inform you that the private sector – CACOVID has commenced supporting our response with 100 oxygen cylinders per day, till the end of March 2021, for distribution to critical care centres in Abuja.

    ”Furthermore, approval has been given to rehabilitate five oxygen plants across various tertiary health institutions in Abuja. The President has also approved that at least one oxygen plant should be established in each state of the federation immediately,” he said.

    On vaccines, he stated that ”the PTF is progressing on the issue of accessing vaccines for Nigerians and that additional information would be provided to Nigerians on accelerated vaccines introduction and deployment plan.

    “What is currently confronting us is a critical phase of infections globally. We are constantly reviewing our strategy to emerging situations especially in risk communication, vaccine hesitancy, fake news/disinformation,” he further said.

    On sanctioning of defaulting passengers, the PTF said it “has commenced the sanctions on passengers who defaulted on day-7 post-arrival tests.

    “Their passport numbers have been published and travel restriction imposed for a period of six months effective from January 1, 2021.

    ”The PTF has generated over 20,000 inbound passengers that have also defaulted. The publication will continue weekly till it is exhausted.

    “​Nigerians should be aware that every defaulter is a threat to public health which is unacceptable to us and represents a drawback to the National Response. We have a duty to advise our relations, friends, associates to comply with laid down rules,” he added.

  • NYSC loses corps member to Kogi highway robbers’ attack

    NYSC loses corps member to Kogi highway robbers’ attack

    THE National Youth Service Corps in Osun State on Wednesday confirmed the death of one of its corps members, Bomoi Sulaimon Yusuf, who was shot dead along Jere-Abuja road.

    The late corps member had completed the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Stream 1B orientation programme at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede, Osun State, on Tuesday and departed together with others to the northern part of the country.

    Funmi Okundaye, an Assistant Director of the corps in the state, in a chat with newsmen, said the management contacted the family of the deceased immediately it received the news.

    Okundaye further explained that the Bomoi had left the camp together with other colleagues since Tuesday, adding that others in the same vehicle with the late corps member, also sustained injuries when their bus came under attack in the early hours of Wednesday.

    She said, “He sat in front of the bus they travelled in. The vehicle came under attack by suspected armed robbers in the early hours of Wednesday.

    “Others in the bus who also sustained injuries were treated in different hospitals in the area where the incident occurred. Some of those injured had been discharged. We mourn the departed soul and we contacted his family in Kaduna immediately we received the news.”