NYSC Accuses Dead Corps Member of Lying About Her Health Status

Segun Awofadeji

The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi State has confirmed the death of the 28-year-old corps member, Magdalene Yohanna, who died during the batch A orientation exercise, just as it debunked media reports that it covered up the incident.

Also, NYSC has explained that the deceased lied in the medical report she submitted to the scheme during her registration.

The state Coordinator of the NYSC, Afolayan James, who made the confirmation and clarification in a media statement made available to journalists in Bauchi yesterday was reacting to reports in the media that the scheme deliberately covered the death of the corps member.

James said the NYSC management was constrained to respond to the story reported in one of the national dailies in Bauchi (not THISDAY) on April 17, 2019, with the caption: ‘How NYSC concealed the death of Corps member in Bauchi camp’ which is also trending online.

The coordinator, who said the welfare and general well-being of corps members are given top most priority and consideration by the management of the scheme, pointed out that “this informed management’s decision that prospective corps members must come to the orientation camp with a duly signed medical report by a registered medical practitioner from a recognised government healthcare stating the true health condition of every prospective corps member.”

“Also, prospective corps members who have serious health challenges are also relocated instantly to any place where they can receive adequate medical care since their condition would not allow them to stay in camp.”

According to James, “Corps member, Yohanna, reported to camp full of enthusiasm and zeal to serve her fatherland in Bauchi State. Therefore, the corps member did not indicate any health challenge in the registration documents she completed and neither did she complain of Asthma on arrival in the camp.