NYSC mourns, probes death of three corps members

Ifedolapo Oladepo (Kano NYSC camp); and Ukeme Monday (Zamfara camp)

Friday Olokor, Abuja

The National Youth Service Corps on Saturday expressed its regrets and condolences to the families of three corps members who died during the on-gong 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively.

The organisation has also set up “a high-powered committee” to investigate the causes of the death of Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme deployed to the three States.

The NYSC in a statement issued by its Director-General, Brig. General, Suleiman Kazaure, in Abuja denied the impression that the deaths were recorded because of negligence by its personnel.

 He said, “The death of the trio followed brief illnesses and after medical teams in the camps battled to save them in line with established procedures. However, in view of these unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, management has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the loss the Corps members.

“The NYSC 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 its platform.

“Their demise, coming in their prime time when they were bracing up for further roles towards advancing their respective families, the nation and the rest of humanity, came as a rude shock to us in the NYSC family. 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, we are constrained to correct the impression of negligence being created in some quarters.

“The management wishes to state that the welfare of corps members has always remained topmost in the priorities of the Scheme, and we have continued to strive to give our best in that regard. 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. We want to inform the public that medical teams in our camps have always been guided by the procedures of practice and in the most professional ways possible.”