COVID-19: Ondo NYSC inaugurates staff-funded committee in virtual conference

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ondo state has inaugurated a committee on COVID-19 to deploy human and material resources in protecting corps members.

Grace Akpabio, the state’s NYSC coordinator, declared the scheme’s commitment to the ongoing fight against the novel virus while speaking on Tuesday during a virtual conference in Akure.

Listing the committee’s terms of reference, she explained that it would reposition the state’s NYSC to combat the disease while leveraging on “personal financial sacrifice” from staff salaries.

Akpabio said it would coordinate the implementation of circulars, guidelines, and directives from the head of civil service of the federation and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is obvious you all know that in line with the directive of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) we need to observe both the physical and social distancing in order to stem the tide of infection of the ravaging coronavirus,” the state coordinator said.

“As a result of this and to achieve the mandate thrust upon our shoulders in record time, this virtual conference becomes inevitable and I want you all to come with far-reaching suggestions that will make this assignment less challenging.

“As a first step toward achieving seamless assignment, I want to seek total commitment which will ultimately lead to your personal sacrifice and this will invariably lead us to collective success.

“My distinguished committee members, it is no longer news that private individuals and corporate citizens have donated handsomely to support the Federal Government to combat this novel virus.

“Likewise, the political office holders are equally supportive and it will not be out of place if we can spare a little but meaningful cash from our salaries to complement government’s efforts.”

Speaking further, Akpabio also stated that the measures to be taken include ensuring maintenance of high sanitary standards at the state secretariat and the local government offices of the scheme.

She said the committee’s mandate would also cover the implementation of directives from the NYSC management and other relevant government agencies on the control of the pandemic.

According to her, it is to perform these duties until otherwise stated by the director-general while all reports on COVID-19 should be forwarded to the headquarters in Abuja for prompt handling.