Richard Romanus|16 May 2017
Information at my disposal indicate that, there is a plan by the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) to move it's permanent Orientation Camp from Obubra LGA to another undisclosed Local Government Area.
The reason for the move according to my source is hinged on the recent Lassa Fever case that was reported in some sections of the media at the permanent Orientation camp that claimed the life of a male Corp member.
To put the records straight, it is necessary to state here that, the autopsy report that was carried out on the late Corp member shows that, he died as a result of Hepertitis B and not Lassa Fever as widely reported.
But what if it was Lassa Fever! How would moving the NYSC CAMP away from Obubra forestall future reoccurrance? When the first Ebola case occurred in Lagos did the Federal Government threaten Lagos State with stripping it of its status as a federating state? Between the people of Obubra and the management of NYSC, whose responsibility is it to ensure the cleanliness and tidiness of the Orientation Camp? These and many more are questions insinuators of this wicked and unfair plan must answer as failure to do so, would be a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
But what really is our crime as a people for every Tom, Dick and Harry to be thinking that only Obubra deserves to be treated poorly at all times for God sake? Do we need to tell anybody that, the NYSC orientation Camp is the only thing that looks like a Federal Government presence in the entire LGA!
This is the same LGA that at a time the federal government was looking for a conducive environment where Ex Millitants of the Niger Delta can be rehabilitated and reintegrated back to the society after several years in the creeks, No other Local Government out of the 774 in the country was considered appropriate other than Obubra inspite of the security risk their presence in the LGA constituted then. It is on record that, no negative report emanated from the LGA through out the period that programme lasted. We deserve appreciation from the Federal Government and not ridicule, which is what, moving the NYSC camp away from Obubra means.
I must commend the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and industry, Mr Peter Egba who I hear is working round the clock alongside a few other Obubra sons and daughters to ensure that, such an idea is shelved.
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prof Ben Ayade must also continue to resist pressure from the enemies of Obubra who are bent on ensuring that nothing good ever comes or remains in the area. He must ensure that under no circumstance should that camp be move away from Obubra. He must realise that,approving the relocation of the camp has a political consequence for him and his PDP led administration.
While I sympathise with the family of the decease Corper,they is also an urgent need for the Federal Government to embark on a massive rehabilitation of NYSC Permanent Orientation Camps across the Country. This is necessary in order to ensure the wellbeing of Nigeria Youths who have over the years continued to show passion and willingness in serving their fatherland.
No Nigeria Youth deserve to die of any treatable and avoidable illness while on National service.
Richard Romanus
Is a Social Commentator
