The management of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC has refuted reports making the rounds in both the mainstream and new media alleging that NYSC camps are on red alert as 109 tested positive for COVID 19.
The rebuttal is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Scheme, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi.
According to her, “Management wishes to state that the caption and body of the story are very misleading”.
“Management hereby restates that there is no COVID-19 positive Corps Member in any of the 37 NYSC Orientation Camps nationwide”.
Mrs. Adeyemi, therefore, stated that before any Prospective Corps Member is admitted into the 37 camps, they must undergo COVID-19 test and only those that tested negative are admitted, the same rule applies to camp officials. Those that tested positive are handed over to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for treatment and management.
She clarified that it “is pertinent to state that there is a gulf of difference between a Corps Member and a Prospective Corps Member”.
According to her, “One becomes a Corps Member after admittance to the camp, registers and administered the Oath of National Allegiance”.
She noted that anyone mobilised for Service, but has not gone through the aforesaid process is not a Corps Member.
She restated that there is no red alert in NYSC Orientation Camps, as all Corps Members, as well as camp officials, admitted in the camps, are COVID-19 negative.
She, therefore, advised their partners-in-progress, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to kindly take note of the explanation for proper guidance in their reportage.
Nnenna.O
