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ABUJA: The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo led Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) has debunked the news making the rounds that it advised the federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.
According to a twit on its tweeter handle, Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, tweeted, “Important to correct this misleading headline. It’s the paramilitary orientation camping that is being considered to be suspended for at least 24 months, NOT deployment to primary assignment; ie: the longer part of NYSC programme would NOT be affected in case this idea is okayed.”
Recall, it was reported that ESC in its report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari recently, that the committee recommended consideration of suspension of NYSC camps for 24 months.
However ESC noted n the report, “The immediate focus in the Education sector is to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all levels of education,” the report read.
“Practical steps will be taken to minimise disruption to learning, utilising technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either online or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificates (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression.
“In similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment.
“This will ensure that there is no backlog in the National Service placement pipeline.”
Recall in March, NYSC camps were shut following the outbreak of the novel Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
According to a statement released by NYSC at the time, it said “The corps members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith, while they shall be invited back to the orientation camps when the situation improves”.
It was last week, the NYSC submitted a proposal for reopening of its camps nationwide.
