The NYSC authorities would consolidate on laid down safety protocols and reopen orientation camps.
The Federal Government has approved the reopening of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps nationwide. The NYSC was granted approval to start making preparations for the restart of the mobilization of corp members for orientation camps after they had been shut down in March as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.
According to a monitored media report, this disclosure was made by the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, during the daily briefing on Thursday September 3, 2020.
While offering further explanation, he said that the NYSC authorities should consolidate on laid down safety protocols and reopen orientation camps once tertiary institutions open.
Aliyu said, “We are in the process of developing strict guidelines to ensure there is no outbreak of Covid-19 when this process starts.’
It can be recalled that the Director-General of NYSC, Brig General Shuaibu Ibrahim, had said that they had embarked on measures to enable safe and efficient conduct of its operations as soon as the Federal Government gave the green light for the reopening of its camps.
In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the termination of the PTF on Covid-19 from September 17, 2020, to December 2020.
This was revealed by the Chairman of the PTF on Covid-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, who also doubles as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said, “The PTF today submitted its 7th Interim Report to Mr President for his consideration and approval.
“The main thrust of the recommendation is that Nigeria advances to the third phase of eased restrictions with further amendments, to address economic, socio-political and health concerns. This will last till a time when the epidemic is sufficiently controlled in Nigeria.Accordingly, Mr President has considered and approved the following: Transition into the Third Phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks with effect from 12.01 am on Friday 4th September 2020 in
line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations reflected in the implementation guidelines.
“Mr President has similarly considered the fact that the six-month mandate of the PTF will expire this month and has therefore extended it till the end of December 2020,’’ he stated.
Mustapha the PTF was in a hurry to reopen schools, especially tertiary institutions.