Ahead of the 2024 orientation exercise, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said it would carry out COVID-19 tests on prospective corps members, including camp officials.

The organisation said the decision was based on advice from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Yusha’u Ahmed, this was a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent the re-occurrence of any variant transmission in Nigeria.

Ahmed said this during the 2024 pre-orientation course workshop in Abuja on Wednesday, January 31.

The DG said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has advised that COVID-19 testing should recommence in the Orientation Camps. This is a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in some countries and the need to prevent the re-occurrence of any variant transmission in Nigeria.

“Therefore, it becomes necessary to ensure regular surveillance in all our Orientation Camps. While the testing will not be made compulsory this time, corps members will be sensitized on the need to confirm their health status. The modalities for this will be communicated in due course.”

The director-general also said the registration process in camp would be reviewed and strengthened to checkmate the activities of fake or unqualified graduates from participating in the exercise.

The DG said: “These include fake graduates appearing as Prospective Corps Members and persons, who, having served previously or issued with Exemption Certificate, attempt to present themselves again for the National Service. The registration process in Camp must, therefore, be reviewed and strengthened to checkmate the activities of these fraudulent elements.

“Like we have warned previously at various forums, any unqualified person caught and those aiding them will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies for prosecution.”

The director-general urged state coordinators to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of corps members in camp.

He also warned corps members against night journeys.

The DG said: “No doubt, there has been a tremendous improvement in this area. However, security remains a matter of priority in all aspects of our operation, especially during the Orientation Course. Proactive measures must be taken by State Coordinators and other stakeholders to evaluate the security situations in all Camp locations. There should be proper surveillance of the Camps and adjoining areas before and during the exercise.

“We are not relenting in our efforts to check this problem that has become a nightmare for the Scheme in view of the perilous consequences such as road accidents and abduction of Prospective Corps Members on their way to States of deployment.

“I, therefore, enjoin everyone to ensure that measures put in place to curtail this negative trend are followed to the letter. In line with a recent decision of the management, state coordinators are expected to continue to take the campaign against night journeys to motor parks, transport companies, and other relevant stakeholders before the commencement of the orientation course.” (The Nation)