The 2020 Batch ‘B’ (Stream 1B) prospective corps members who volunteered to be COVID-19 Vanguards have been described as special ambassadors of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, scheme.
The Ondo State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, made this assertion on Sunday during the inauguration of COVID -19 Enforcement Vanguard at the ongoing orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.
Akpabio enjoined members of the Vanguard to see their new calling as a sacrifice needed to flatten the curve of the novel coronavirus pandemic which is on the increase again despite all the efforts of the Presidential Task Force on COVID -19 and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.
“The global community including Nigeria has done much to flatten the curve of this pandemic since it started in November, 2019 and this has badly affected the economy which had caused the country to enter another recession but we need to brace up to the challenges so that the situation does not degenerate further.
“Your assignment is simple but complex. Human beings are the most difficult to control and your job requires wisdom to politely and respectfully encourage your colleagues and entire camp community to properly wear the face mask, maintain social distancing and obey all the protocols of COVID -19.”
The NYSC boss said that the members of the Vanguards should make it a point of daily duty to check all the water storage buckets and containers for hand washing and replenish them if they discovered that water had finished and liquid soap exhausted.
She told them that the authority of the scheme was bestowed upon them and warned them not to misuse the privilege conferred on them when discharging their duty.
She also disclosed that the Vanguard would be responsible for ensuring that social distancing was observed at all venues of activities on camp, including the dining area.
In a separate goodwill message, the Camp Director, Mrs. Adejoke Fasola reiterated the need for the Vanguard to be mature and handle the assignment with more seriousness.
Representative of the NYSC Director General on Camp, Mrs Rachael Afolayan, tasked them to see their involvement in the crusade as selfless.
The Head of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, team on camp, Mr. Philips Olusola, charged the Vanguard to discharge their duties with all sense of commitment and responsibility.
