The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, will continue to deploy both human and material resources at her disposal to fight coronavirus pandemic.
The Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, made the declaration during the inauguration of a standing committee on COVID -19 by the secretariat.
The inauguration which was done through virtual conference, Akpabio said, was aimed at repositioning the scheme in Ondo State.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is obvious that you all know that in line with the directive of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, we need to observe physical and social distancing in order to stem the tide of infection of the ravaging coronavirus.
“As a result of this and to achieve the mandate thrust upon our shoulders in record time, this virtual conference becomes inevitable and I want you all to come with far reaching suggestions that would make the assignment less challenging.
“As a first step towards achieving seamless assignment, I want to seek for your total commitment which will ultimately lead to your personal sacrifice and this will invariably lead us to collective success,” she said.
Stressing the determination to deploy resources, the NYSC boss enumerated the terms of reference to include coordinating the implementation of all circulars, guidelines and directives from the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Presidential Task Force on COVID -19, Management and other relevant government agencies on the control of Coronavirus Disease (COVID -19) pandemic; developing comprehensive guidelines for the constitution of subcommittees for the implementation of the COVID -19 guidelines in the state; preparing sensitisation modules and guidelines for NYSC in Ondo State and providing adequate preventive and control measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease amongst staff, corps members and clients of the scheme.
Others, according to Akpabio were, ensuring maintenance of high sanitary standard of the state secretariat and the local goffices of the scheme; liaising with relevant health experts/professionals and state Ministry of Health in the sensitisation of staff and corps members on issues of prevention of spread of COVID -19, and carry out any other duties incidental to the guidelines on the control of the spread of COVID -19 as may be directed by the Director General.
On how to access resources lilke funds and materials that will be used to accomplish the task, the state coordinator encouraged the committee members to sensitise staff working with them in their various branches and units on the need for personal financial sacrifice.
“My distinguished committee members, it is no longer news that private individuals and corporate citizens have donated handsomely to support the Federal Government to combat this novel virus, likewise the political office holders were equally supportive and it would not be out of place if we can spare little but meaningful cash from our salary to complement government’s efforts”.
She announced that COVID -19 Vanguards would be established in all the local governments to further propagate the project at the grassroots.
The standing committee is to perform its duties until otherwise directed by the Director General while all reports on COVID -19 pandemic should be forwarded to National Directorate Headquarters, Abuja for prompt handling.
