NYSC, Before We Lose Another Graduate...

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Nigerians are still grieved over the death of three corps members who lost their lives at NYSC orientation camps across the country. Such a huge loss of young promising individuals.

Ifedolapo Oladepo, a Transport Management graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology reportedly fell sick and died at the Kano orientation camp. It was reportedly said that Ifedolapo died as a result of negligence from camp medical department. But, her close friend, Ojo Itunoluwa said that apart from being stressed from a long journey from Osogbo, wrong injection was responsible for her death, as she neither showed any sign of illness nor had any peculiar ailment before leaving Osogbo.

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There was also confusion among corps members at the Bayelsa State Orientation Camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of the state following the death of a female member of the National Youth Service Corps.

The female corps member, who was identified as Miss Elechi Chinyerem, aged 27, reportedly died after vomiting on arrival at the camp. Elechi was a graduate of the Ignatius Uhuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Again, Ukeme Asuquo Monday, a first class graduate of Petroleum Engineering from the University of Uyo, died at the NYSC Camp in Zamfara State. It was reported that Ukeme gave up the ghost after suffering from Diarrhea. His friend, Victor Jerry Emah, said Ukeme never wanted to go for service in Zamfara and said he was destabilized the moment he received his call-up letter.

Sadly, these deaths are not new cases. The scheme has overtime been plagued with several similar cases of corps members losing their lives during the service year. Some have died in accidents on their way to orientation camps, some brazenly killed by hoodlums during elections, and so on.

The continued insecurity of lives that comes with the scheme makes it worrisome on why it has not been reviewed or better scrapped. While it may be different experiences for corps members across camps, the underlying deplorable living conditions in these camps cannot be overlooked.

The camp clinic is a nightmare. The medical personnel at the camp clinic are not professionally grounded. It is always a situation of whoever studied any medical-related discipline is sent to the Camp clinic. No professional backup. Often times the Medical corps members are the Doctors and the Nurses.

The quality of food served at orientation camps is nothing to write home about. The standard of food makes several corps members rely on food joints at the Mammy market, a sales and service area with in the camp. Though a 3-square meal, the meals served are not impressive. Some corps members see going to the kitchen a sheer waste of time.

And lastly on distance. There have been several cases of corps members death in auto crash or others sustaining injuries in fatal vehicle accidents on their way to orientation camps or in the cause of their service year. A lot of these cases would have to a great extent been avoided if graduates don't have to travel such a long distance for the service year. They should rather be posted to neighbouring states where the risks of accidents can be minimally reduced.

There are so many sad cases of Ukeme, who upon receiving their call-up letters are weary to obey the 'national call' because of the long distance they have to travel – considering the security situation in the country.

While we await the outcome of the “high-powered committee” set up by NYSC to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the death of the three young graduates, drastic measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well-being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on its platform should be taken.
 
Nigerians are still grieved over the death of three corps members who lost their lives at NYSC orientation camps across the country. Such a huge loss of young promising individuals.

Ifedolapo Oladepo, a Transport Management graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology reportedly fell sick and died at the Kano orientation camp. It was reportedly said that Ifedolapo died as a result of negligence from camp medical department. But, her close friend, Ojo Itunoluwa said that apart from being stressed from a long journey from Osogbo, wrong injection was responsible for her death, as she neither showed any sign of illness nor had any peculiar ailment before leaving Osogbo.

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There was also confusion among corps members at the Bayelsa State Orientation Camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of the state following the death of a female member of the National Youth Service Corps.

The female corps member, who was identified as Miss Elechi Chinyerem, aged 27, reportedly died after vomiting on arrival at the camp. Elechi was a graduate of the Ignatius Uhuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Again, Ukeme Asuquo Monday, a first class graduate of Petroleum Engineering from the University of Uyo, died at the NYSC Camp in Zamfara State. It was reported that Ukeme gave up the ghost after suffering from Diarrhea. His friend, Victor Jerry Emah, said Ukeme never wanted to go for service in Zamfara and said he was destabilized the moment he received his call-up letter.

Sadly, these deaths are not new cases. The scheme has overtime been plagued with several similar cases of corps members losing their lives during the service year. Some have died in accidents on their way to orientation camps, some brazenly killed by hoodlums during elections, and so on.

The continued insecurity of lives that comes with the scheme makes it worrisome on why it has not been reviewed or better scrapped. While it may be different experiences for corps members across camps, the underlying deplorable living conditions in these camps cannot be overlooked.

The camp clinic is a nightmare. The medical personnel at the camp clinic are not professionally grounded. It is always a situation of whoever studied any medical-related discipline is sent to the Camp clinic. No professional backup. Often times the Medical corps members are the Doctors and the Nurses.

The quality of food served at orientation camps is nothing to write home about. The standard of food makes several corps members rely on food joints at the Mammy market, a sales and service area with in the camp. Though a 3-square meal, the meals served are not impressive. Some corps members see going to the kitchen a sheer waste of time.

And lastly on distance. There have been several cases of corps members death in auto crash or others sustaining injuries in fatal vehicle accidents on their way to orientation camps or in the cause of their service year. A lot of these cases would have to a great extent been avoided if graduates don't have to travel such a long distance for the service year. They should rather be posted to neighbouring states where the risks of accidents can be minimally reduced.

There are so many sad cases of Ukeme, who upon receiving their call-up letters are weary to obey the 'national call' because of the long distance they have to travel – considering the security situation in the country.

While we await the outcome of the “high-powered committee” set up by NYSC to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the death of the three young graduates, drastic measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well-being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on its platform should be taken.

It is so alarming, I hope the FG can do something timely.
 
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