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Deepening Fight Against Pandemic COVID-19:NYSC On Focus

Published

5 years ago

May 5, 2020

Feature: Deepening Fight Against Pandemic COVID-19 : NYSC On Focus

By Christopher Lot

The fight against the existence of mankind which COVID-19 portends has taken a new dimension in Nigeria, as confirmed cases of community infections have been on the upward swing across the States and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This unfortunate development has assumed grave danger to the wellbeing of the entire population, and a potential set back to the earlier perceived gains recorded in the fight against the pandemic by the country.

Doubtlessly, the situation at hand requires urgent and coordinated approach to contain.

In response to this critical challenge posed by the scourge, which has decimated scores of lives in Nigeria, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who have been in the frontline of the national effort to stem the tide of the pandemic have rejigged their campaign efforts against the hydra – headed monster – extending the battle line to the rural areas, a move in tandem with the community development strides which the Scheme has espoused in over 46 years of its existence.

Unarguably endowed with a reservoir of talented and educated virile – youths, exuding great energy, with specialisations cutting across diverse fields of study, the Corps through its members has continued to initiate and execute a number of interventions nationwide in support of the national aspirations to flatten the COVID – 19 curve.

For instance, as part of their responsibilities in respect of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers(HIRD); a Community Development Service programme of the Scheme, Corps Medical Personnel run mobile clinics, traversing the nooks and crannies of the country, providing essential and quality free medicare to the people, especially the less privileged in the society.

The programme serves as a platform for addressing the health challenges of the rural communities, particularly those that experience difficulties in accessing healthcare.

Under the programme, a periodic medical outreach to the rural communities is carried out, and usually lasts for one week. Apart from the centrally coordinated outreaches conducted simultaneously nationwide, each NYSC State/FCT Secretariats also mobilises the Corps medical teams to conduct outreaches in the various communities on quarterly basis.

In addition, Corps members in different localities work out a schedule, where they move from one community to another, within their host communities to sensitise the populace on the safety protocols of COVID – 19.

This structure is available, functional and playing a critical role in complementing government’s efforts to curb the rising cases of COVID-19 through community infection in Nigeria.

During the sensitisation programme, Corps members preach and demonstrate social distancing, regular hand washing, use of surface and hand sanitisers, as well as wearing of face masks which have proven to be effective in curtailing the spread of the highly infectious virus.

It is heartwarming to note that these Nigerians, burning with youthful energy and zest, always ready to impact positively on the nation also produced and donated to the Federal and State Governments, in addition to some communities NYSC customised face masks, hand sanitisers and liquid soap.

The sensitisation campaign equally involved advocacy visits to prominent traditional rulers in their respective communities, police stations, worship centres, and other public places where community theatre; drama, stand – up comedy and film shows are utilised by the Corps members as veritable tools to educate the public on the pandemic, while observing social distancing.

It is imperative to state that the theatre outreach equally affords the Corps members the platform to donate cartons of hand sanitisers, liquid soap and facemasks to the institutions, while the materials are also placed at some strategic locations for public use.

To make the message more penetrating, banners, billboards on the raging issue are strategically positioned, while radio and television programmes on COVID-19 are anchored by Corps members periodically in English language, pidgin English and other indigenous languages in the various media organisations across the country to drive home the message on COVID – 19 preventive measures.

In order to cushion the adverse effects of the quarantine order imposed across the nation, and encourage people to abide by COVID-19 protocols, Corps members distributed free of charge, food items and other essential palliatives to different households in some of the communities they visited for the advocacy.

Other areas of intervention include; enlightenment campaigns on environmental sanitation, refuse – disposal management, drug abuse, general hygiene and regular check of blood pressure and many others.

Corps members in the course of their assignments have also on several occasions identified disease – infested animals with a view to stopping the rural communities from consuming such animals that can be vectors of harmful bacteria and virus.

Interestingly, the Corps Pharmacists and Nurses posted to the rural areas assist in dispensing drugs effectively, as well as checking fake drugs in the Health Centres, and taking proper care of the patients in accordance with standard medical practice in conformity with COVID-19 protocols.

The gains derived from these campaigns are no doubt numerous, and cannot be quantified in monetary terms. Feedbacks across communities in the country indicate that the level of consciousness on COVID-19 is encouraging and reassuring.The rural dwellers do reach out to Corps members after the sensitisation exercises to seek further clarification on some emerging issues, or misconceptions about COVID-19. Such issues are promptly addressed by Corps members to the satisfaction of the people. For some of the rural dwellers, it is during such advocacy visits that they have the opportunity to interface with qualified medical doctors for the first time in their lives.

These interventions are increasingly consolidating and deepening government efforts in stemming the tide of community infections and effectively addressing COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

Still in support of the battle against the scourge and going down to the specifics, a Corps member serving in Kano, Abdullahi Sani fabricated an automated hand wash machine that dispenses water and liquid soap. Similarly, in Oyo State, a group of Corps members comprising; Adeyanju Adeyemi, Afolabi Victor and Ogunmoye Victor jointly fabricated a hand wash machine for the same purpose. In Kwara State Corps members Abdulsalam Abubakar and Obiefuna Ebuka constructed dual – faced hand wash dispenser.

In Ondo State, Corps member Israel Arogbonlo donated his one month stipend to the State Government in support of the Government’s effort to raise funds for the fight against the pandemic

In Lagos State, Corps members have been engaged by the State Government in the distribution of palliatives. In addition to that, Corps members in Lagos Island and Eti-Osa 1 Local Government Areas, donated food items and other palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown imposed in the State to check the pandemic.

In the same vein, Corps members in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State donated cartons of food packs and hand sanitisers to the Local Government Council to support the Government’s efforts in the war against the virus.

In Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Corps members focused on fumigation of the Local Government Council Secretariat Complex, Staff Quarters, Police Station and Corps Lodges in the area, so as to rid them of Coronavirus and harmful microscopic organisms.

In Osogbo, Osun State, a Corps member, Omolara Kolawole donated cartons of food items to the State Government, While, Kingsley Dimkpa of Ebonyi State Secretariat produced and donated sanitisers and antiseptic soaps to the Afikpo Local Government Council in support of the national effort to curb the pandemic.

In Zamfara State, Corps members under the Charity Community Development Service Group donated cartons of food, detergents and other sanitary items to Gusau Motherless Orphanage Home.

Also, in Niger State Corps member Wonah Sunday Owuche donated food packs and sanitary items to the Niger State Orphanage Home Minna.

In Jos the Plateau State Capital, Corps member Joy Chioma Anyaegbu produced and donated to the State Government sanitisers and liquid soap in support of the effort to check the spread of the virus.

It is interesting to note that Corps members in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Gombe and Delta States were requested by their respective governments to mass produce face masks to meet the growing demand by the people.

In other states of the federation, several interventions by Corps members, tailored towards the battle are ongoing, ranging from the production and donation of hand sanitisers, liquid soap, face masks to strategic advocacy visits.

Over the years, the NYSC has served as a reliable stand – by partner of government at all levels, arising from its vantage position as a repository of sophisticated manpower, available across the length and breadth of communities in the country year-round. Notably, they are sufficiently detached from local local politics and prejudices. As such, they are the most suitable change agents driving the process of nation building.

Therefore, to develop the spirit of discipline and patriotism in the Corps members is not the duty of government alone. It should be a shared responsibility.

Consequently, the Scheme needs the concerted efforts and cooperation of all the tiers of government, in addition to host communities, corporate bodies and public – spirited individuals in order to sustain its steady growth and pivotal roles in national affairs.

Indeed, the NYSC remains a strategic institution and great asset to the nation. There is no gainsaying the fact that with the Scheme, the nation has put in place an enduring instrument of national cohesion and development, reckoned with, within and beyond the shores of Nigeria.

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Presidency Refutes Afenifere’s Deceitful Statement on President Bola Tinubu’s Midterm:

Published

23 hours ago

June 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Chief Sunday Dare

The statement from a factional Afenifere group raises serious concerns about a penchant and deliberate attempt to find faults and trade in deceit instead of objectivity. The group has found it challenging to accept that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s comeback story is firmly underway.

The rebellious Afenifere claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s performance over the past two years has witnessed a regression in human development, economic mismanagement, and democratic backsliding.

This is a jaundiced view, echoing the view of opposition politicians, one of whom the group supported in the 2023 election.

A balanced assessment based on available data reveals a more objective and progressive picture, with significant achievements amid the challenges expected from a country like Nigeria with decades-old problems.

Beyond its confounding conclusions based on prejudice, the statement raises the following issues. With the ensuing point-by-point clarification, it will become clear that the group’s position is neither grounded in facts nor logic.

Economic Reforms and Their Impact

The factional Afenifere’s claim that Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, have led to “unmitigated sufferings” and “economic deforms” seeks to draw attention to some of the challenges but overlooks the macroeconomic gains. The removal of the fuel subsidy, announced on May 29, 2023, saved the government over $10 billion in 2023 alone, reducing fiscal strain and redirecting funds to other sectors. Unifying the foreign exchange market and the naira’s floatation aimed to address distortions in the currency market, boosted foreign reserves to $38.1 billion by 2024 and achieved a trade surplus of N18.86 trillion for the country.

Under the Tinubu administration, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in the prior month. Food inflation, the most significant component of the inflation basket, remained elevated but moderated to 21.26% from 21.79%

While these figures indicate stabilisation, the immediate impact on ordinary Nigerians is not lost. The government’s cash transfer programme, which provides funds to the poorest households and benefits over 5.7 million households, is a credible outreach.

However, dismissing the twin policies as “unforced errors” ignores the unsustainable nature of the previous subsidy regime and multiple exchange rate systems, which were draining public finances. A more balanced critique would acknowledge the necessity of reform while emphasising the need for better-targeted social safety nets.

As of today, the Tinubu administration has recorded over 900,000 beneficiaries of the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, over 600,000 beneficiaries of the Students’ Loan Scheme, NELFUND, N70,000 minimum wage, NYSC monthly stipend increase from N33,000 to N77,000, Free CNG kits distributed to thousands of commercial drivers across Nigeria with CNG buses rolled out in partnership with state governments, leading to a significant drop in transport costs. The administration also recorded over $10 Billion FX debt cleared, Federal account allocation to states growing by 60%, enabling more local development projects, N50 billion released to end the perennial ASUU strikes, and over 1,000 PHCs revitalised nationwide with an additional 5,500 undergoing upgrades.

The administration also disbursed N75 Billion in palliative funds to states and LGs for food distribution and cash transfers, over 150,000 youths are being trained in software development, tech support and data analysis under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project, over 20,000 affordable housing units under construction under the renewed Hope cities program launched across Nigeria, N200 Billion in Loans to farmers and agro-processors. Other gains: over two million Nigerians are now connected to new digital infrastructure and community broadband hubs and public WiFi projects, 3.84% GDP growth in Q4 2024 (highest in 3 years), over $50 Billion in new FDI Commitments, Net Foreign Exchange Reserves up from $3.99 Billion (2023) to $23.11 Billion (2024), over $8 Billion in new oil and gas investments unlocked, and over $800 million realised in processing investments in solid minerals in 2024 and inflation as at April was down to 23.17%.

It is now pertinent to inquire from opposition leaders about alternative strategies they would propose in contrast to this administration’s extensive list of significant achievements currently benefiting Nigerians in real-time.

Cost of Governance and the Oronsaye Report

The assertion that the Tinubu administration has failed to implement the Oronsaye Report and instead increased governance costs is inaccurate. The Oronsaye Report, which recommends the merger or scrapping of government agencies to reduce expenditure, has not been fully implemented and has drawn criticisms; it must be noted, however, that the administration has made some efforts to improve fiscal discipline. The fiscal deficit was reduced from 5.4% of GDP in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024, and the debt service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to under 40% by 2024. The government also recorded over N6 trillion in revenue in Q1 2025, partly due to removing Ways & Means financing and fuel subsidies. These steps demonstrate fiscal prudence and will eventually translate into immediate, tangible relief for citizens. The administration is working earnestly to address these optics and prioritise cost-cutting measures, including implementing the Oronsaye Report, to restore public trust.

Allegations of Prebendalism and Corruption

Afenifere’s claim that the administration favours “the privileged and connected” through corrupt palliative distribution and mega-project allocations is questionable. Reports of palliatives being mismanaged or distributed through unverified channels have no doubt surfaced, raising concerns about transparency.

The administration has taken steps against corruption, such as suspending Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu in January 2024 over alleged fund diversion, signalling some commitment to accountability. Critics may argue that more systemic action is needed, but dismissing all the efforts as propaganda overlooks these initial steps.

Without abusing Presidential powers, the administration is working on expediting action on all pending investigations and prosecution of corrupt practices. At the same time, critical agencies are collating credible evidence on ongoing corruption litigations. It must, however, be noted that in 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured a record-breaking 4,111 convictions, marking its most successful year since its inception. They recovered over N364 billion and significant amounts in foreign currencies, including $214.5 Million, $54,318.64, and 31,265 Euros.

The EFCC achieved its single most significant asset recovery in 2025, with the final forfeiture of an Abuja estate measuring 150,500 square meters and containing 725 units of duplexes and other apartments. The EFCC concluded the final forfeiture and handed the estate to the Ministry of Housing in May 2025.

Democratic Concerns and Centralisation

Afenifere’s accusation that the Tinubu administration is pursuing a “one-party state totalitarianism” and undermining democratic institutions is unsupported and lacks merit. The claim of neutralising the legislature and judiciary is also a false alarm.

The public should note that the Supreme Court has upheld opposition victories in states like Kano, Plateau, and Abia, suggesting judicial independence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has faced criticism for allegedly appointing individuals said to be ruling party affiliates, but no evidence confirms these appointees are card-carrying APC members.

The allegation that the Tinubu government cracks down on peaceful protesters is primarily unfounded. It is a regurgitated rhetoric deployed under previous administrations as a reflection of broader challenges in Nigeria’s democratic culture.

The issue of the State Police is more complex than the oversimplified approach of the factional Afenifere’s statement. Every administration policy is subject to security impact assessment before implementation, and there is a difference between the State Police being widely advocated and a Police State that critics may blame the Federal Government for if implemented without caution.

Security and Social Welfare

Contrary to the impression created, the administration’s security record is impressive. Over 13,500 terrorists, bandits, and insurgents have been neutralised and 7,000 arrested in the past year, though there is still some news of abductions and violent attacks. The administration’s proactive response to security-related matters has paved the way for more farmers to return to their farms, impacting food production and supply.

The administration also embarked on agricultural initiatives, including tractor procurement, fertiliser distribution, and increased mechanisation.

The government has also not relented on its Regional Development drive as the administration succeeded in establishing Development Commissions across 6 Geopolitical zones (South West, North West, North Central. North East, South East and the Niger Delta) to empower communities and accelerate developments.

Political Climate and 2027 Elections
The claims of government-sponsored conflicts within opposition parties lack concrete evidence and should be ignored.

Economic reforms are undoubtedly laying the foundation for long-term stability, with GDP growth at 4.6% in Q4 2024 and a Fitch B credit rating upgrade as evidence. Moody’s Investors Service’s latest upgrade of Nigeria’s rating from Caa1 to B3, with a Stable Outlook, indicates that the Tinubu administration is on the right path.

The government is not oblivious to some discontent and difficult times among Nigerians. There is an urgency to deliver more tangible results, which is guaranteed given the impressive performance of the administration in just two years.

Afenifere’s statement saw the cup as half empty. On the contrary, it’s half full. Under President Tinubu’s administration, some of Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems are being tackled headlong.

The administration has achieved fiscal improvements, such as reduced deficits and increased revenues, which will eventually translate into meaningful microeconomic relief for most Nigerians in the short term, even as the government moves to address these issues with greater empathy and transparency.

The administration’s demonstrable priorities are securing the nation, fixing the economy, and improving human capital development.

Responsible citizens and political leaders must work collaboratively with the administration to address the challenges and counter disinformation, as highlighted in the admonition against fake news and deceptive AI videos.

Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is turning the corner. From stabilising the naira and curbing inflation to reducing debt burdens and

expanding access to education and health, the administration delivers bold reforms with actual results. With improved security, regional inclusion, anti-corruption measures, and institutional rebuilding, Nigeria’s comeback story is not yet complete — but it is firmly underway.

– Sunday Dare is the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Media and Public Communications.

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