No COVID-19 Jab, No Service, Says NYSC

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said that the 2021 Batch ‘C’ Stream II service year will begin on Wednesday, November 24 with corps members required to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Director, Press and Public Relations of NYSC, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, said yesterday that in conformity with the directive of the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, corps members would, from Dec. 1, show evidence of vaccination.

“Federal civil servants including corps members will be required to show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination before they are allowed access into offices and orientation camps from Dec. 1,” Adeyemi said in a statement.
“Please note that presentation of forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate is a criminal offence.”

According to the NYSC spokesperson, Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) mobilized for the service year must present themselves for the COVID-19 test at the camp before registration.

She said: “Successfully registered PCMs will be sworn-in on Tuesday, Nov. 30. The mandatory orientation course will hold till Tuesday, Dec. 14.

“PCMs are to fill the COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic Test self-reprinting form and print verification slip to be presented in camp for COVID-19 test.

“We wish to inform Nigerians that all COVID-19 safety protocols will be strictly adhered to at the orientation camps.

“We have partnered with the National Centre for Disease Control and state health agencies to ensure COVID-19-free orientation camps, ” the statement read.

It added that PCMs must report to camp only on the dates indicated in their call-up letters to ensure that the observance of COVID-19 protocols was maintained.

According to the statement, the staggered date of reporting to camp by PCMs is to avoid overcrowding and ensure physical and social distancing.

The statement said that all PCMs were expected to report to camp with adequate face masks and personal pocket-size hand sanitizer.

It urged all PCMs mobilised for the service year to proceed to their respective camps as stated in their call-up letters.

The scheme said that foreign-trained graduates should report to the camp with their passports and original copies of all uploaded documents.

“PCMs are strongly advised not to embark on night journeys to orientation camps so as not to endanger themselves,” the NYSC stated.

The scheme also advised PCMs traveling by road to break their journeys if they exceeded 6 p.m.

They should pass the night at military or police barracks, NYSC secretariats, corps lodges, and other safe places.

The scheme urged all PCMs to diligently read the call-up letters forwarded to them as they contained all relevant information and guidelines.