By John Oba
Abuja
Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, has denied the allegations of negligence over the death of three corps members, saying that the welfare of corps members had always remained topmost in the priorities of the Scheme.
Kazaure in a statement at the weekend further assured that the Scheme had continued to strive to give it best in that regard.
It would be recalled that a relative of one of the deceased corps members had accused the Scheme of negligence.
Kazaure said: “The policy of the Scheme regarding healthcare during Orientation course provides for the setting up of camp clinic manned by qualified Doctors and other Corps Health Personnel.
“The clinics, which are also provided with drugs and other basic equipment, are detailed to render round-the-clock medical services on camp with standing arrangement to refer and ensure immediate movement of patients to more sophisticated health facilities when necessary.”
He, however, said the Scheme had set up a high-power committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the loss of the corps members in view of the unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states.
“Management appreciates the concern of stakeholders, and wishes to assure the general public, especially serving and prospective corps members as well as parents and guardians, that the Scheme will continue to take measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on the platform of the Scheme.”
The three corps members, Elechi Chinyerum Nwenenda, Oladepo Ifedolapo and Asuquo Ukeme Monday, died during the on-going 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara states, respectively, after brief illnesses.
“On behalf of the Management, staff and corps members nationwide, I wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased corps members.
“May the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and give their families and the rest of us the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
“While we mourn the demise of these corps members, who, out of patriotic zeal, answered the clarion call to serve their fatherland.”
