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Avoid Induced Rejection, Unauthorized Journeys, DG Admonishes Corps Members

Published

3 years ago

September 20, 2021

Joel Ajayi

As 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream Two Corps Members will be leaving the 3-week orientation camp on Tuesday the Corps Members have been advised to avoid induced rejection, rather accept their posting in good faith and settle down to contribute their quota to the development of their host communities.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu lbrahim stated this on Monday while de-briefing the 2021 Batch ‘B’ Stream Two Corps Members and Camp Officials through a nationwide virtual address.

He said any Corps Member caught inducing posting or redeployment would be sanctioned in line with NYSC bye-laws.

He also disclosed that there is nothing like two weeks break after leaving the Orientation Camp, but added that if there is a compelling need for any Corps Member to travel, the concerned must obtain permission from the NYSC through the established channel.

Ibrahim said no Corps employer is authorized to grant permission to any Corps Member to travel.

“Once you get to your place of primary assignment tomorrow, don’t put pressure on your employers for rejection.

“Don’t lobby anyone that you want to change your posting or relocation. If they write to us that you induced or forced them to reject you, you will be punished.”

As patriotic Corps Members, it is expected that you accept posting to anywhere you have been posted to and add value to the community”, the DG added.

He urged them to be patriotic in the service to their fatherland and ensure they equally add value to themselves, NYSC Scheme and the society at large.

The Director-General admonished them to use the opportunity of NYSC platform to excel in life.

“You have gone through the rudiments of the Orientation Course, please take advantage of it and see what you can do for your fatherland.

“Let the spirit of the Orientation Exercise live in you forever as Nigerians. National integration should be your watchword. We should be united as a country”, the DG added.

General lbrahim warned against the negative use of the social media, urging them to verify every information before it is shared online.

“Don’t use fake news to promote disunity, shun cybercrimes and all forms of criminality. In whatever action that you are going to take, please look back at where you are coming from and avoid any action that will haunt you tomorrow.

“Shun drugs, be good citizens and good ambassadors of your, institutions, families and the NYSC Scheme”, he said.

The Director-General implored the Corps Members to continue with the Post-Camp training in Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Developnent Programme.

He revealed that the Scheme had partnered some financial institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria, Access Bank, Bank of Industry, Unity Bank, NYSC Foundation, Leventis Foundation, among others, that are ready to support Corps Members with loans and trainings.

The Director-General stated that efforts are in top gear towards the establishment of National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund, which would make start-up capitals available to interested Corps Members to start-up their businesses as they exit Service.

Ibrahim also enjoined the Corps Members to be security conscious at all times and avoid any action that may endanger their safety.

He warned them against boarding vehicles from unauthorized motorparks, enjoining them to use approved motorparks.

“You must be security conscious and don’t endanger your safety. Under no condition should you travel at night, or board vehicle along the road. Your welfare is very paramount to NYSC

If you are going to travel, you must be permitted. Write through employer to your Local Government Inspector and it will get to the State Coordinator for approval. If you are going to travel, ensure that you are permitted”, the DG said.

He said the Scheme is making efforts to get rebate on flight charges for Corps Members that may want to travel by flight.

Ibrahim informed the Corps Members that efforts are on-going as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to enlist Corps Members in the National Health Insurance Scheme for effective Medicare during the service year.

He advised the Corps Members to get COVID-19 vaccine in order to protect themselves and also protect others from the deadly virus.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues nationwide, the Imo State Corps Camp Director, Otobo Joshua Osa IM/21B/1740 lauded the Director-General for his doggedness and passion for the welfare and security of Corps Members.

“We remain eternally grateful and we assure you of our commitment to the ideals of the NYSC, having imbibed all the lessons taught us in the course of the Orientation Programme”, he concluded.

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Featured

Childhood Cancer on the Rise

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2025

The Gleamer

* Affects 40,000 children aged 0-19 annually* Their journey can be made easier – Survivor* Genetic issues exposure to harmful chemicals play significant roles – Prof Amodu* Increased diagnostic, treatment capabilities a plus for Nigeria – Prof

While cancer is not only debilitating but life threatening, sufferers also have to contend with stigma and emotional distress. However, this becomes more disheartening when children become involved, JULIET IBIMINA writes.

At just eight years old, Adekemi Oyewusi was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a disease she and her family had never even heard of.

The next two years of her life were marked by pain, isolation and an uphill battle against a disease that stole her childhood. “I longed to play with my siblings and peers, but my world was confined to the four walls of a hospital, where pain and solitude became my constant companions,” Oyewusi reminisced.

The chemotherapy treatments, administered through her spinal cord, were excruciating, causing nausea, fatigue and the devastating sight of her hair falling out which all left her feeling like a shadow of her former self; but against all odds, she survived.

Now, 25 years later, Oyewusi is not just a survivor, she is an advocate, amplifying the voices of children battling cancer and pushing for equitable healthcare policies, believing that while Nigerian children with cancer demonstrate incredible resilience, their journey could be made easier with more support.

“It is crucial for the government, healthcare providers, philanthropists, NGOs and society at large to recognise and address the unique needs of survivors. Comprehensive insurance plans, increased awareness of late effects, educational support and psychological counseling are all necessary,” she said.

She called for more pediatric oncology centres across the country, greater financial support for affected families and public awareness campaigns to educate communities on early detection.Ike Oyewusi, Shittu Adewumi also had an unsavoury experience, also echoing the struggles of many children fighting cancer in Nigeria.Diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia at just six years old, his family believed they were witnessing the end of his young life.

“It was harrowing; he suffered immensely and the cost of treatment was unbearable,”his mother, Titilayo Adewumi recounted.”The government should support children fighting cancer because this is not something one family can handle alone; it is a huge financial burden.

“When you visit Federal Government hospitals, you see so many children battling cancer; they need urgent help,” Mrs Adewumi pleaded.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents aged zero to 19 years develop cancer globally each year.

The organisation also said that unlike many adult cancers, most childhood cancers have no known cause and are not linked to lifestyle or environmental factors.In Nigeria, the exact prevalence of childhood cancer remains unclear due to poor data collection.

However, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Cancer Center houses the country’s first Childhood Population-Based Cancer Registry, which has recorded 237 cases in just over a year.Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, the President, Nigeria Cancer Society (NCS) and founder of the registry, warns that childhood cancer is indeed on the rise and needs urgent attention.

“For too long, the focus has been on breast, cervical and prostate cancers, while childhood cancer has been neglected,” he said.Dr Timipah West, a pediatric oncologist at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, identifies some of the most prevalent childhood cancers in Nigeria to be Lymphomas such as Burkitt’s lymphoma, Neuroblastoma a cancer of the adrenal glands and Nephroblastoma known as kidney cancer.Others are Retinoblastoma (eye cancer affecting the retina), Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscle tissue) and acute leukemias (blood cancer affecting white blood cells).West said that while the causes remained largely unknown, potential risk factors of childhood cancer included genetic predispositions, exposure to chemicals, certain infections and environmental changes.

Speaking to reasons why childhood cancer was now on the increase in Nigeria, she said it was due to a lot of factors.She identified an increase in diagnostic capabilities and availability of more treatment facilities and more awareness among the populace about childhood cancers based on increased advocacy as some of the reasons.The oncologist also added that environmental factors including climate change that lead to genetic changes as also a contributing factor.

“The Nigerian Society of Pediatric Oncology (NISPO) working with NCS and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare play huge roles in creating awareness on childhood cancer.

“This advocacy is very important because some people in the general public think that only adults can have cancers.

”She noted that preventive measures could be employed before the cancer develops, listing early detection and commencement of treatment to prevent complications and death.According to her, genetic studies can be done for those at risk of developing certain cancers so they are identified at the very early stages.

She added that those with conditions that predisposes them to certain cancers such as down syndrome and leukaemias should be followed up closely and treatment commenced as soon as possible.

“Also, adequate diet, environmental protection against climate change and chemicals and drug exposure are very important.”The introduction of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination that can prevent future development of cervical cancer is also very important.

“Treatment options available include chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The most commonly available in Nigeria are chemotherapy and surgery.

”West emphasised that childhood cancer was treatable when detected early with available treatment options in Nigeria including chemotherapy, surgery for tumor removal, radiotherapy and immunotherapy which was still emerging.

On his part, Benjamin Amodu, a professor of phytomedicine from the Triune Biblical University, USA, said parents have a great role to play in both prevention and management of childhood cancers.

“You see, because many of these children do not yet know what is actually happening and can’t take care of themselves, the parents must be very observant to detect it early since early detection increases the chances of survival.

“Also, pregnant mothers must be very careful of what they consume, be they medications, hard drugs and even cosmetics, as the exposure to harmful chemicals either as a fetus or early childhood have been found to increase the risk factors for cancer, chronic kidney disease, and other chronic diseases in children.

“Annually, on February 15, the International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is commemorated as a global campaign to create awareness about childhood cancer and support for the patients, survivors and their families.

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