The National Youth Service Corps in Oyo State has described as false and baseless a report by a national newspaper on the alleged non compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines at the State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Gbakuta, Iseyin.
The newspaper quoted a news agency as reporting that some members of the NYSC “decried the non compliance with COVID-19 guidelines and protocols at the ongoing orientation programme,” adding, “camp’s officials have not been observing the guidelines and protocols as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.”
However, in a rejoinder made available to journalists in Ibadan, on Tuesday, the management of NYSC in the state, said the newspaper published the report without verification and without making due recourse to the authorities.
Olatoye Christy, Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, NYSC, in a statement signed on behalf of the State Coordinator, titled, ‘Re: Corp members decry non compliance with COVID-19 guidelines in Oyo,’ said, “The attention of NYSC, Oyo State management has been drawn to an unverified story with the above caption sourced from the News Agency of Nigeria.
“The management wishes to state categorically that the story is false and baseless. It is very necessary to put the record straight that facilities have been put in place to ensure strict compliance to the COVID -19 protocols during the orientation course.
“It is on record that at the point of entry, it is ensured that all corps members comply with wearing of facemask and washing of hands at the hand wash bays that have been strategically positioned.
‘Thereafter, the COVID -19 test is carried out by resident NCDC Surveillance team in collaboration with the Corps medical personnel and the result is immediately released.
“Individuals who test positive are immediately held at the holding bay from where the ambulance with a medical personnel conveys them to the State Isolation Center, Olodo Ibadan. Only the reporter can explain where he got the anonymous corps members he interviewed from.
“To ensure strict compliance within the camp, the management has constituted a 30-man COVID Vanguard, including Corps members saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the implementation of the COVID-19 safety protocols. The COVID jingles are frequently aired over the Orientation Broadcasting Service to sensitize the camp community.
“Posters are placed round the camp to remind everyone to take responsibility and COVID-19 sensitization lectures are daily delivered by corps medical personnel during morning meditation. Also, the Corps members were equitably distributed in all the hostels which are well partitioned in compliance with the NCDC guidelines and conditions for the re-opening of orientation camps nationwide.
“The NYSC Oyo State hereby reassures the general public that the welfare of corps members is given top priority and will never engage in whatever action that can jeopardise the health of corps members. It would continue to work in concert with the NCDC directives in ensuring strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.”
