Only fully vaccinated Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) will be able to enrol and participate in the plan starting in January 2022, according to the National Youth Service Corps.
“Beginning with the next orientation in 2022, all incoming PCMs will be required to provide proof of vaccination before being admitted into the camp for registration.
“We want to make sure that we follow COVID-19’s non-pharmaceutical safety protocols to the letter,” Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the Director-General, said on Monday in Abuja.
In a virtual meeting, he addressed the 2021 Batch “C” Stream II corps members.
The director-general issued the decision in response to recorded cases of the Omicron strain of the Coronavirus in Nigeria, according to NYSC spokesman Mr Emeka Mgbemena.
Ibrahim stated that the program would not relax its vigilance in guaranteeing rigorous adherence to COVID-19 safety rules.
“I commend the Federal Government, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the National Centre for Disease Control, and other stakeholders for the success of the 2021 Batch “C’’ Stream II orientation course,’’ Ibrahim was quoted as saying.
The director-general advised corps members in Batch “C” Stream II, whose orientation training finishes on Dec. 14, to continue to build on the abilities obtained during the orientation course.
He claimed that instead of looking for work, they would become business owners.
He stated that the plan had worked with the CBN, Access Bank, Bank of Industry, the NYSC Foundation, and Heritage Bank to provide soft loans to corps members who had good business ideas.
“Efforts are ongoing for the establishment of the NYSC Trust Fund which will make more funds available for every willing corps member to start their businesses as they exit service.
“NYSC is a platform for those that are very serious. Please take the skills acquisition seriously and ensure you register for the post-camp training.
“I can assure you that our partners are ready to support us to ensure that the start-up capitals are made available to corps members,’’ Ibrahim said.
The director-general recommended corps members to identify personal projects that they could accomplish during their service year and to avoid borrowing money to complete them.
He believes that money for personal projects should come from inside their community.
“Make sure you enlist the help of traditional rulers, leaders, and youths to help you with your project.” The director-general cautioned, “Do not borrow money because you want to win the national honors award.”
