Brig.-Gen. Shuaib Ibrahim, the Director-General (DG), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has come out to say that Batch ‘A’ corps members will return to the orientation camp as soon as the coast is clear over the coronavirus.

Ibrahim revealed this recently in Abuja after the recent suspension of all activities at the camp.

According to him, the health of the corps members has to be a priority and the recent move was the same method the scheme employed during the Ebola epidemic.

He added that as soon the coronavirus becomes a thing of the past and has been properly tackled, the camp would reopen immediately.

His words, “Once we have a clear picture that Covid 19 has been tamed and we are okay then we will invite the corps members back to camp to complete their orientation training.

“That is the decision we have taken; it is just for the concern for the welfare of the corps members.”

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The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a scheme set up by the Nigerian government to involve Nigerian graduates in nation building and the development of the country. There is no military conscription in Nigeria, but since 1973 graduates of universities and later polytechnics have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps program for one year. This is known as national service year. Ahmadu Ali served as the first Director-General of the NYSC until 1975. The incumbent Director-General is Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim.

Major General Suleiman Kazaure was appointed director general of the NYSC on 18 April 2016, and served as the 17th D-G of the scheme until his redeployment to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre on 26 April 2019. Until his appointment, Ibrahim, the new NYSC boss was the Registrar, Nigerian Army University, Biu in Borno.

NYSC was created on 22 May 1973 as an avenue for the reconciliation, reconstruction, and rebuilding of the nation after the civil war. It was established based on decree No. 24 that stated that the scheme was created “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”.

Nigerian graduates are ineligible for employment in governmental establishments (and most private establishments) until they have completed the mandatory one year service or obtained the relevant exemptions. Graduates who are exempted from the service include those above the age of thirty and those with physical disability. During the service year, Corps members have the opportunity to learn the cultures of other people.