The Lagos State chapter of the National Youth Service (NYSC) on Thursday joined the ongoing war against Coronavirus pandemic bringing to the fore the need to ensure that the virus does not have an inroad into the camp.
At Thursday’s oath taking ceremony for the Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members posted to the state, everybody that passed through the camp gate went through the rituals of checks and preventive measures to ensure that they are COVID 19 free.
First, several NYSC medics with state-of-the-art thermometers were stationed at the gate, which checked the temperature of the visitors, the corps members and staff.
Then, they were directed to a place where they washed their hands with water and soap, after which sanitisers were applied to their palms before they were finally allowed into the parade arena, where the event took place.
In his brief remark, the state NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Eddy Megwa, stated that the camp was COVID 19 free, stressing that efforts were being made to ensure that the deadly virus would not find a foothold in the camp.
He also disclosed that the camp was well equipped with a clinic and paramedics and that so far, no virus was detected among the fresh corps members, and that everyone in the camp including the workers were free of the virus.
He stressed that even the graduates from foreign countries were tested and found to be virus free before they were given call-up letters preparatory to their joining the camp.
Mr. Megwa thanked officials of the state’s Ministry of Health and the state government for their assistance and support by ensuring that the COVID 19 virus would not find a place in the NYSC camp.
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He specially commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his fatherly support to the Lagos NYSC to ensure that the scheme delivered on its mandate.
He stated that at the close of registration, 2,169 corps members were enlisted for the service period, adding that the Lagos NYSC would continue to give its best to the service of the fatherland.
Megwa urged the new corps members to adhere to the rules and regulations of the camp throughout their stay there.
In his speech, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Relations, Tayo Bamgboshe Martins, told the corps members that being called up for service was a privilege hinged on their successful completion of their various academic programmes.
He urged them to feel at home and explore avenues and opportunities that would enable them leave a unique mark and make an impact in the lives of the people of Lagos and the nation at large.
Sanwo-Olu also urged them to show commitment, dedication and participate actively in all activities during their service year.
Speaking with newsmen after the new corps members had been sworn in by Justice Olubunmi Olutoyin Femi-Adeniyi, Martins expressed satisfaction with the measures being taken to ensure that the camp was free of COVID 19.
He maintained that with the World Health Organisation declaring Coronavirus infestation as a pandemic, it was the duty of the state government to ensure that it was brought to a check in the state.
He urged everyone to continue to wash their hands regularly and limit their physical contacts with people as well as handshakes.
He also stressed that Governor Sanwo-Olu was totally committed to the building of a permanent orientation camp for the Lagos NYSC before the end of his tenure.
