Nahimat Adekoga
The House of Representatives has summoned Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Zakari Kazaure over recent deaths of three corps members in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States.
The corps members who died during ongoing 2016 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Camp were Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme, deployed in three different states.
The NYSC DG is expected to brief House Committees on Youth, Health and Justice on circumstances that led to the trio’s death.
The summon followed adoption of motion titled “Unfortunate and Avoidable Death of Late Miss Ifedolapo Racheal Oladepo, a corps member at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Kano,” sponsored by Olufemi Fakeye (Osun State) on Tuesday.
The house of representactives also passed resolution urging NYSC to work with 36 States government and FCT to build permanent orientation camps fully equipped and provision be made in 2017 Appropriation Act.
The House also demanded provision of Health Insurance Scheme for corps members during the one year mandatory service.
While adopting the motion, Speaker Hon Yakubu Dogara-led other members of the House in observing one minute silence in honour of the departed souls.
Speaking on the motion, Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that six deaths were recorded in 2016 NYSC orientation programme, describing it as six death too many.
Gbajabiamila who lamented lack of facilities in the NYSC camps, also blamed relevant House Committees for failure to perform their oversight functions optimally.
On his part, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun argued that irregularities in the academic session have affected NYSC programmes, adding negligence led to the corps members’ deaths.
Also speaking, James Faleke said the three weeks orientation camp is no longer necessary because it only exposes graduates to untimely death. summon NYSC DG over corps members’ death
