The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu has stated that prevention, detection and prompt response were germane to safe reopening of the 37 NYSC Orientation Camps nationwide as the Scheme set to reopen Orientation Camps on Tuesday, November 10, 2020.
The NCDC helmsman made this assertion during a webinar held for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Prospective Corps Members getting ready for Orientation Course. He also revealed the Centre’s preparedness to collaborate with the NYSC in order to ensure that no Corps Member comes in harm’s way when camping resumes.
Dr Ihekweazu stated that, “all the Prospective Corps Members and Camp Officials shall undergo COVID-19 test in order to ascertain their health status and in the event of a Prospective Corps Member testing positive, Corps Members should not panic as adequate measures have been put in place in all the NYSC camps to manage such case.
“No camp will be shut down as a result of one testing positive to COVID-19”.
Rather, care and support will be given to the victim, appealed that no one should be stigmatised.
NCDC DG therefore commended Director- General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim for his passion for youths, exemplified by his tenacity of purpose which facilitated the approval for the Scheme to resume normal operations.
He noted that COVID-19 curve has continued to flatten in the country, he counselled that it was not yet uhuru, prayed the Prospective Corps Members to exercise caution as the deadly virus is still around.
Dr Ihekweazu said it has been a trying time for the country, but expressed happiness that the challenge has brought the NYSC and NCDC together to work in partnership for the common good of the country.
While reemphasizing the need to take responsibility, he admonished the webinar participants to desist from keeping aloof and waiting to be goaded before observing the precautionary measures against the dreaded virus. He challenged the participants to be the leader the country needs at this critical time.
In his contribution, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim praised the NCDC DG and his team for working tirelessly to safeguard the health of the nation, stated that there will be zero tolerance for risky behaviours that will compromise the health of the camps.
Ibrahim then thanked the NCDC Chief Executive over the donation of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the NYSC, pledged to put them to good use.
He also appealed to the webinar participants to eschew fake news and encouraged them to always approach the camp management for clarification on issues of interest.
