According to the Director General, the programme which was established in 2014 was meant to take free and quality medical facilities to the doorsteps of indigent populace in the rural areas.

“Driven by our determination to deepen the impact of our healthcare services, management launched the HIRD in 2014. It is a platform for contribution towards promoting the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare,” he said.

The Director General who was represented at the second quarter flag-off of the ceremony held at Isuada Community in Owo local government area of Ondo State by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani, said that NYSC had since inception, recorded numerous landmark achievements in the area of national unity and integration as well as other spheres such as healthcare delivery, rural Infrastructures, mass literacy, education, sports and other social services.

“Virtually, all our contribution in these areas are made through the activities of successive batches of corps members, whose patriotic zeal, dedication and selflessness have been source of pride to all Nigerians.”

The NYSC boss said the programme was largely implemented through medical outreaches in communities across the country, during which Corps Medical Volunteers carried out diagnosis, treatment; including minor medical procedures and referrals of patients in which drugs, eye glasses and other medical consumables were given free of any costs to beneficiaries.

He added that medical outreaches also featured sensitisation of community members on disease prevention and care as well as donation of over 300 wheelchairs to people with special needs with the support of partners.

Ibrahim who said that the 2021 centrally coordinated medical outreach with the theme “Health is Wealth for Advancement” was taking place simultaneously in all the states of the federation, and would last for one week would subsequently conduct quarterly follow up outreaches with a view to increasing access for the benefitting communities.

The NYSC boss therefore encouraged Nigerians who resided in the localities where the outreaches were taking place to avail themselves of the free and quality medical services.

The number one corps member in the country expressed the appreciation of the management for the support and encouragement received from stakeholders such as Federal and State Ministries of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), the Society for Family Health International, other International and Non Governmental Organisations, Pharmaceutical Companies and public spirited individuals.

He said that given the desire of the scheme to expand the scope of the HIRD and make it more impactful, “I wish to appeal for the support of the corporate bodies and well-to-do individuals towards actualising our plans of setting up Mobile Clinic for wider outreach.”

The representative of the Chairman, NYSC Ondo State Governing Board, Mrs. Catherine Okupe, said that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development would continue to create enabling environment for the scheme to actualise the objectives of NYSC in the Sunshine State.

Okupe, who is the Director of Youth in the Ministry tasked the NYSC management to involve more stakeholders in the HIRD programme.

The chairman of Owo local government, Samuel Adegbegi, while appreciating the NYSC for bringing the programme said that the council would partner with NYSC to bring more outreaches to the area.

The chairman who was represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Prince Taiwo Babatunde Adako, promised to liaise with relevant stakeholders within the council area for collaboration to make the programme a huge success.

The royal father of Isuada Community, Oba Joel Olufemi Adeluwoye, the Asuada of Isuada, praised the ingenuity and untiring efforts of the scheme since it was established 48 years ago.

He reminded Nigerians that NYSC was contributing in no small measures to the economic development of the nation and it was still in the forefront of providing quality medical services to the indigent people in the rural areas.

The programme which commenced on Monday will run for a week.

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The Director General made the assertion on Wednesday during a virtual zoom meeting monitored across all the NYSC camps in the country.

“I want to let you know that your attitude towards obeying the rules and regulations governing the conduct of orientation course and observing the protocol of COVID -19 will determine the success or otherwise of the cardinal programmes of this noble scheme.

General Ibrahim said that corps members should see their mobilisation and deployment to the state of service as a rare opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

His words: “My dear children in the national service, this meeting becomes imperative because of the new normal that we found ourselves as a result of the coronavirus pandemic otherwise known as COVID -19 which has affected all our endeavours.

“I know that the contents of the orientation course will guide your conduct but I need to lay emphasis on your cooperation with the camp management.

“You are expected to display high sense of patriotism towards national service and be of impeccable character at your places of primary assignment and host communities.”

The Director General charged the members of the service corps to add values to the scheme by embarking on projects that would touch on the needs of their various communities.

“The process of winning presidential award starts right from the camp through your local and state government to the national level. Your commitment, hard work and dedication to the cardinal programmes of NYSC will determine your eligibility for the Presidential Honours Award.

“The process, procedures and criteria for the selection are rigorous and you are expected to distinguish yourself right from the orientation course and give rare and uncommon service without blemish throughout the period of your service to the fatherland,” he added.

The NYSC boss who was last year elevated to the envious status of an Associate Professor at Military University, Biu in Borno State appealed to corps members to take their personal security seriously and cut down on social activities.

“It is instructive to inform you to take your personal security very seriously. Let your colleagues know about your movements and don’t take chances with people who may appear nice with lots of affection towards you.

“Whenever you want to travel, go to designated motor parks to board vehicles and restrain yourself from standing by the road side to board vehicles which the road transport unions cannot vouch for.

“In the same manner, I want you to resist jumping into the flashy cars that want to give you a ride. Those people may have criminal intentions such as kidnapping, banditry or looking for someone for ritual purposes and it is better to remain alive and live peacefully than to be regretting your actions.”

General Ibrahim observed that it was worrisome the way and manner corps members used social media to address issues which ordinarily should have been handled administratively.

“Be careful on the use of social media and don’t use it to malign or destroy your fellow human beings. If you must use social media as a private citizen, use it to promote our programmes and the values we stand for.

“Let me reiterate that NYSC management has zero tolerance for any acts capable of undermining or painting us in colours that are not in tandem with our aims and objectives. We shall not hesitate to deal with such situation in accordance with the provision of the law governing our establishment,” he said.

The Director General emphasised on dress code and admonished the corps members to dress properly and appropriately.

While wishing the corps members a successful orientation course, he said, “I want you to always dress properly and adhere to the dress code for all occasions.”

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The election holds on Saturday, October 10, 2020.

Ibrahim gave the assurance on Monday at the stakeholders sensitisation meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commssion, INEC, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, preparatory to the election.

He said the widespread commendation that usually followed performances of corps members in previous exercises such as voters registration and administration of elections had strengthened the scheme’s resolve to continue to discharge its best for national service.

“We will remain unrelenting in encouraging our youths on National Service to perform election duties with high sense of responsibility.

“I have addressed corps members enlisted as ad hoc personnel and reiterated the need for them to abide by the provisions of the electoral laws while performing their election duties,” he said.

The Director-General, however appealed to the people of the state, including traditional rulers, religious leaders and politicians to complement the efforts of the security agencies towards ensuring peaceful conduct of the election.

“I urge you to help sensitise your followers on the need to protect our corps members from any form of violence or molestation before, during and after the election,” the DG added.

Ibrahim also informed the gathering that NYSC had made a novel contribution to voter education through the production of a movie, “The Return,” which disseminates message on non-violent conduct during election.

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He said corps members were apolitical and focused on contributing their quota towards national development.

Ibrahim stated these today during a courtesy visits to the Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, and the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade, Ogunoye III, in their palaces.

He assured that the youth on national service would perform the election duties with high sense of responsibility and neutrality, but added that all stakeholders must contribute towards giving them maximum protection.

The NYSC boss, who appreciated the monarchs for their support for NYSC, stressed that the scheme placed high premium on the welfare and security of the corps members.

“I want to plead with the good people of Ondo State to protect my corps members.

“We want to ensure that our corps members are safe as we look forward to a hitch-free election,” the DG added.

Ibrahim further urged residents of the state to tap from the potentials of corps members for socio-economic development, adding that their knowledge, loyalty and dedication to duty were of immense benefit.

Responding, the Deji of Akure commended the NYSC scheme for its role in mentoring of the nation’s youth.

He added that residents of Ondo State were looking up to the corps members for credible conduct of  the governorship election.

“We believe in them because they are up to the task and residents of the Ondo State trust them,” the monarch said.

Also receiving the DG, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Oba Gbadegesin Ajibade, Ogunoye III lauded the NYSC for contributing towards enhancing the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.

He assured that adequate steps would be taken to protect corps members on election duties.

“Corps members are treasures that must be protected and no matter what, nothing will happen to them in this kingdom and even in Ondo State. l can assure you of their safety.

“The NYSC scheme has been a source of pride for the nation because it is uniting us,” he said.

During separate visits to the 32 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army, Owena Cantonment, Akure; Ondo State Command of the Department of State Services and the State Police Command, the Director-General appealed to the agencies to provide adequate security  for all corps members before, during and after the election.

In their responses, the Brigade Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Zakari Logun Abubakar; Director, Department of State Services, Mr Emmanuel Esomonu and State Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami all gave the assurance that measures had been put in place for the protection of all corps members during the election.

Earlier in the day, the Director-General addressed the corps members that will serve as election officials urging them to abide strictly by the electoral laws and be security conscious.

“Do not do anything that contravenes the law. If you run foul of the law NYSC will not be there for you.

“Be security conscious, don’t cut corners and use only the vehicles accredited by INEC,” Ibrahim said.

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The Brigadier General and the Director-General of scheme, Shuaibu Ibrahim, made this known on Wednesday while speaking with corps members in Bauchi, Bauchi State.

He promised that the payment of the allowance would start as soon as money was made available.

He told corps members that provision had been made for the increase in the 2020 budget by the federal government.

The director-general warned corps members against negative use of the social media.

He also urged them to be security conscious, while advising them against unauthorized journeys and night trips.

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This is as he gave the assurance that he would do everything possible to continue to carry out the mandate.

The NYSC boss who made the promise while speaking with the 2019 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 11) corps members during his unannounced visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State added: “I will not rest on my oars until everyone of you here seated acts in accordance with the expectations of the NYSC management and the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

General Ibrahim hinted that he was not always at peace whenever he had to explain why a corps member lost his or her life.

“I am talking to you not only as the Director General of this laudable scheme but as a father who knows and understands very well the psychological trauma parents go through when they lose a child they have invested a lot in to bring glory to such families.

“Please, I am begging you to desist from making frivolous and unauthorised journeys. When the unexpected happens, I am always very sad to console and explain to parents that we have lost their son or daughter.”

He vowed that in carrying out his mandate, any corps member who embarked on unapproved journey when caught would face the full wrath of the law in line with the Act establishing the scheme.

General Ibrahim also cautioned members of the service corps not to expose the good names of NYSC to ridicule by misinforming the world through unguarded use of social media.

“You do not because of surmountable challenges you are facing at a particular time destroy the laudable scheme which the Federal Government has invested huge resources in to attract graduates of this great country both at home and in diaspora to contribute their meaningful quota to its development.

“As a nation, we know that we are passing through challenges. NYSC wants you participate in the programme so that you can proffer solutions and not to add more burden to its existence by using the social media negatively,” he said.

While urging corps members to be ready to serve wherever they are posted, he said: “The unity of this country lies in your hands and you can only support the Federal Government by agreeing to give your very best through meaningful service to your fatherland outside your comfort zone.

“If not for this progressive scheme, some of you for instance, undertake all your educational pursuit in Ibadan, want to work in Ibadan and still want to marry in Ibadan but for the pragmatic approach of NYSC, you would have remained a local champion.”

He also warned on improper dressing by corps members.

According to him, NYSC would no longer sit back and watch the corps members dress indecently or inappropriately.

He encouraged them to benefit from the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme of the NYSC, saying it would lead them to economic and financial emancipation.

“Your academic qualifications are no doubt intimidating and outstanding but I want to encourage you to embrace both in-camp and post camp training of SAED to make yourself budding entrepreneurs and captains of industries,” he said.

The Director General who had the Acting Director, Special Duties, Mr. Adeola James Afolayan, on his entourage had earlier inspected facilities at the camp.

He was taken round by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio.

The Director General expressed satisfaction with the way the camp is run.

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