The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps across the country have started complying with the federal government directive to shut down all camp activities in efforts to check the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Head Public Relations Unit of the corps in Plateau State, Ms Jennifer Laha, who said they received the directive at 12 am on Wednesday, told News Agency of Nigeria that the orientation camp in the State has complied with the FG’s directive.
“We have suspended all camp activities and we have informed the corps members of the Federal Government’s decision which is a precautionary measure to avoid gathering of people in large numbers.
“We were directed to post them to their places of primary assignment. We started the posting overnight and as soon as we concluded, the State Coordinator will address them before they disperse.
“The coordinator will inform them that as they go they should not forget the preventive measures for the Coronavirus. They should avoid clusters and observe personal hygiene such as washing of hands and using sanitisers,” Laha said.
She said that the 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 Corps members would be invited back to camp when the situation improved.
Similarly, the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 Orientation course for corps members taking place at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Edu Local Government of Kwara has been suspended.
NYSC Public Relations Officer (PRO) in Kwara, Oladipo Morakinyo, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin on Wednesday.
He said there was a circular to that effect from the National Headquarters of the Scheme in Abuja.
The circular with the title: “Important announcement: Suspension of the ongoing Orientation Course,” directed the state coordinator to suspend the orientation course.
The circular reads; “Sequel to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic which led to the cancellation of the National Sports Festival, Management of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme wishes to announce the suspension of the ongoing Orientation course for the 2020 Batch ” A” Stream 1 Corps Members.
“Therefore, the Corps Members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith.
“They shall be invited back to the Orientation camps when the situation improves, just like it happened a few years ago when the Nation was confronted by the Ebola virus threat.
“Management wishes to state that no corps member or camp official has contracted the virus”.
Morakinyo, however, told NAN on phone that posting letters were issued to the 2,100 corps members taking part in the orientation course.
He said NYSC members are to report to where they were posted to and commence primary assignment.
The orientation course for the 2020 Batch ‘A’, Stream 1 was officially declared open in Kwara on Thursday, March 12, 2020 by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by his Special Adviser on Investment, Alhaji Kabir Shagaya.