Minister of Youths and Sports, Dalung Pay Condolence Visit to NYSC Headquarters (Deceased Corps Members)

The Federal Government has condoled with the families of the three Corps members who died during the on-going 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, conveyed the government’s condolences when he visited the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters today.

He described the deceased, Oladepo Ifedolapo Racheal (KN/16B/1847); Asuquo Monday Ukeme (ZM/16B/1780); and Elechi Chinyerum Nwanenda (BY/16B/1300), as great Nigerians whose demise came at a time the country was full of hope in anticipation of their future leadership roles.

"On behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; the Federal Government and Nigerians in general, we bring heartfelt condolences to the families of these great Nigerians, who made the supreme sacrifice during selfless service to the nation. We pray that God in his infinite mercy will stand by the families, comfort them and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss".

The Minister noted that from the report of the inquiry into the death of Corps member Oladepo Ifedolapo Rachael, she did not die in the painful and gruesome circumstance that was painted in the social media.

Dalung, however, the stressed the need for state governments to upgrade medical facilities and other infrastructure in Orientation camps in line with their statutory responsibilities so as to meet up with the demands of accommodating Corps members in those camps.

He also said that, though the claim of negligence on the part of the NYSC had been proved to be untrue, the Management of the Scheme still needed to give attention to areas of camp management that required improvement. Dalung assured that the NYSC Scheme is very dear to the government and will be supported with resources to succeed.

"This is because there is no institution in Nigeria that has played a very serious role in national integration like the NYSC. The Scheme will remain relevant in Nigeria till the end of time. So, those advocating the abrogation of the NYSC should find time to read more about the scheme. As a responsible government, we owe our youth the responsibility of preparing them for future leadership and it is only the NYSC that avails young Nigerians the opportunity of coming together to know Nigeria," Dalung added.