Featured
NYSC Promises To Sustain Enforcement of COVID-19: Protocols, Warns Against Complacency
 
																								
												
												
											NYSC Promises To Sustain Enforcement of COVID-19: Protocols, Warns Against Complacency
Joel Ajayi
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has pledged the commitment of the Scheme towards the sustenance of strict enforcement of COVID-19 preventive and safety Protocols in order to guarantee seamless and smooth Orientation Course and Service Year.
The Director-General who was speaking on Friday during a WEBINAR session on COVID-19 measures for safe orientation camp jointly organised by the NCDC/NYSC, and supported by World Health Organisation (WHO), further warned against complacency by the Prospective Corps Members and other members of the camp community, noting that camp courts have been empowered to try and met out appropriate disciplinary measures to violators of the safety protocols.
General Ibrahim stated that NYSC is in partnership with relevant health organisations in the provision of COVID-19 vaccines and urged Prospective Corps Members to avail themselves of the opportunity to be vaccinated during and after the NYSC Orientation Course.
While congratulating Prospective Corps Members for their successful graduation from various academic institutions which qualified them to be called up for national service, the Director General implored them to justify the huge investments of their parents and the Federal Government by making good use of the abundant opportunities for leadership training and self-reliance availed by the Scheme.
The NYSC helmsman reiterated the need for Prospective Corps Members to be security conscious and avoid night journeys, stressing the need to reach out to NYSC Secretariats, military and police formations, as well as other security agencies for shelter in a situation where their journeys extend beyond 6pm.
He also enjoined them to desist from negative use of the social media by ensuring that they always verify all information about the Scheme through the NYSC social media platforms. This according to the Director-General would mitigate the increasing spread of fake news with its negative consequences.
In his address, the Director-General Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu appreciated the NYSC for sustaining a robust partnership with the NCDC which has succeeded in strengthening adherence to COVID-19 preventive and safety protocols in the country.
He also observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has made large congregational setting unsafe and commended NYSC for the incredible sacrifice which made the sustenance of the invaluable programme possible in the new normal. Dr. Chikwe called on Prospective Corps Members to prepare for more sacrifices in order to enhance the success of the forthcoming Orientation Course, noting that the WEBINAR is to familiarise them with COVID-19 global protocols put in place for effective management of the pandemic.
In their separate contributions, Dr. Oyeladun Okunromade and Tunde Disu of NCDC dwelt on the online COVID-19 registration processes for Prospective Corps Members, staggered registration in the Camps, the need to strictly adhere to non-pharmaceutical protocols such as constant hand wash, use of facemasks, social distancing and the need to take responsibility in facilitating a COVID-19 free environment in the Camp.
Also sharing his first hand experience in the Camp, a Batch “A” Corps Member; Peter Oludamilare commended NYSC Authority for making adequate arrangements for Corps Members to participate actively in all Camp activities while observing COVID-19 preventive and safety protocols, and called on Prospective Corps Members nationwide to key in and take responsibility.
The 2021 Batch “B” Stream II Orientation Course is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 across 37 Orientation Camps nationwide and would last for three weeks.
Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs)
Director, Press and Public Relations
Featured
Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
 
														Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
- 
																	   Featured6 years ago Featured6 years agoLampard Names New Chelsea Manager 
- 
																	   Featured6 years ago Featured6 years agoFG To Extends Lockdown In FCT, Lagos Ogun states For 7days 
- 
																	   Featured6 years ago Featured6 years agoChildren Custody: Court Adjourns Mike Ezuruonye, Wife’s Case To April 7 
- 
																	   Featured6 years ago Featured6 years agoNYSC Dismisses Report Of DG’s Plan To Islamize Benue Orientation Camp 
- 
																	   Featured4 years ago Featured4 years agoTransfer Saga: How Mikel Obi Refused to compensate me After I Linked Him Worth $4m Deal In Kuwait SC – Okafor 
- 
																Sports3 years agoTINUBU LAMBAST DELE MOMODU 
- 
																	   News10 months ago News10 months agoZulu to Super Eagles B team, President Tinubu is happy with you 
- 
																Featured6 years agoBoard urges FG to establish one-stop rehabilitation centres in 6 geopolitical zones 

 
				

















