NYSC: We didn’t use corps members’ February allowance to fight coronavirus

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied claims that it diverted funds intended for corps members’ February allowance to fight coronavirus.

More than 83,774 people have been infected; 2,867 have so far died from the killer virus, with Nigeria having reported its first case of the ailment on Friday, after an Italian citizen tested positive in Lagos.

In the wake of the outbreak in the country, there were unfounded reports circulating on social media that the government intends to use some parts of allowance meant for corp members to set up preventive measures for their safety.

But in a statement issued on Tuesday, the scheme described the news as a “mischievous fabrication” that did not come from the director-general’s office as claimed.

“The attention of the NYSC has been drawn to an announcement purported to have been issued by the director-general to the effect that the February allowance of corps members had been channelled towards the fight against Coronavirus,” read the statement issued by Adenike Adeyemi, it’s press and PR director.

“Every discerning mind knows that the press release is not true and can never be issued by the NYSC DG. For all intents and purposes, the false representation by the fabricators of that mischievous post smacks of insensitivity. A global issue such as the coronavirus which represents a threat to humanity should not be reduced to an object of joke.

“While urging corps members to disregard the ill-conceived post, the management strongly admonishes mischief-makers to desist from generating and circulating false stories about the scheme. The full weight of the law shall be visited on anyone caught in the act henceforth.”

TheCable Lifestyle had earlier reported how NYSC had begun the payment of N33,000 to corps members, nearly a year after the new minimum wage law was signed by the president.

Calls placed to serving corps members as of when this report was filed revealed many were yet to receive stipends for February, although states are usually not paid simultaneously.

“It’s just because of the delay. Usually, we’re paid on the 28th or 29th of each month. Today is 3rd and we’re yet to get allowances for February,” a source in Ogun state told TheCable Lifestyle.