NYSC mourns, probes death of three corps members

 The National Youth Service Corps on Saturday expressed its regrets and condolences to the families of three corps members who died during the ongoing 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara states.

The NYSC has also set up “a high-powered committee” to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the death of Chinyerum Nwenenda Elechi, Ifedolapo Oladepo and Monday Asuquo Ukeme, deployed in the three states.

The NYSC in a statement by its Director-General, Brig. General, Suleiman Kazaure, dismissed a report that the deaths were caused by the negligence of its personnel.

He said, “The death of the trio followed brief illnesses and after medical teams in the camps battled to save them in line with established procedures. However, in view of these unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, the management has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the deaths.

“The NYSC management appreciates the concerns of stakeholders and wishes to assure the general public, especially serving and prospective corps members as well as parents and guardians “that the scheme will continue to take measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well-being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on its platform.”

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr. Najeem Salam, said the parliament would conduct an independent investigation into the cause of the death of the female corps member, Miss. Ifedolapo Oladepo, who died last week at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kano State.

The Speaker said this in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Goke Butika.

He said, “The parliament will wait for the outcome of the investigation of the NYSC headquarters, and will conduct our own investigation with a view to getting to the root of the matter.”

Also, the National Association of Nigerian Students said the alleged negligence of the officials of the NYSC was responsible for the death of one of the corps members.

The Deputy Coordinator of NANS ZONE D (South -West), Saheed Afolabi, who said this in a statement in Osogbo, said Oladepo’s death was a big loss to her family and the entire student body.

He claimed that the negligence of the officials was responsible for the death of the First-Class graduate of Transport Management from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.

The student leader asked the Federal Government to order a probe of the deaths to serve as a deterrent to other negligent officials and to prevent a recurrence.