Omicron Variant: Only Those Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Will Serve From Next Year, NYSC Insists

• Only Prospective Corps Members, who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine would be allowed to serve, according to NYSC
• This directive was issued by the director-general of the scheme, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, and announced by NYSC's spokesman, on Monday, December 13
• The DG said that the scheme would ensure strict compliance to the COVID-19 safety protocols, going forward

Abuja- The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has issued a new directive to graduates willing to serve their country.

According to NYSC, from January 2022, only fully vaccinated Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) will be allowed to register and partake in the scheme.

The Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, made this disclosure on Monday, December 13, in Abuja, while addressing the 2021 Batch “C’’ Stream II set of corps members in a virtual meeting, The Guardian reports.

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He said:

“From the next orientation in the year 2022, all incoming PCMs will show evidence of vaccination before they will be allowed into the camp for registration.

“We want to ensure that we adhere strictly to the non-pharmaceutical safety protocols of COVID-19."

Mr Emeka Mgbemena, NYSC’s spokesman said in a statement that the director-general gave the directive in the face of reported cases of the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus in Nigeria, Vanguard added.

Ibrahim stated further that the scheme would not let down its guard of ensuring strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols.

FG to critics: NYSC scheme more relevant now than ever before

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that the minister of youth and sports development, Mr. Sunday Dare has said the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is more relevant than ever before in Nigeria.

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According to Dare, the scheme is here to stay, adding that its contributions to national development are indisputable.

The minister made the comment on Saturday night, December 4 at the premiere of an advocacy movie produced by the NYSC.

NYSC DG laments over inadequate food for corp members

Interestingly, Brigadier-General Ibrahim recently decried the challenges faced by corps members in camps during their three weeks orientation period.

Ibrahim said inmates across various facilities of the Nigerian Correctional Service feed better than corp members posted to states to serve.

He made the comment while speaking during an appearance before members of the House committee on youth development for the 2022 budget defence.

Source: Legit.ng