Every Corps Member has been covered by comprehensive insurance since 2004, including health and life insurance, with coverage beginning from the moment call up letters are issued before they even begin their journey from their parents' homes, according to Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu.
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps made this disclosure in Abuja during a visit by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace, reaffirming that Corps Members are covered by a comprehensive insurance package as part of their welfare during the service year.
General Nafiu stated that the insurance package includes life insurance and medical care, noting that the Federal Government has put in place adequate measures to ensure that every Corps Member enjoys a safe and memorable service experience.
"Since 2004, every Corps Member has been covered by comprehensive insurance, including health and life insurance. The National Health Insurance Authority caters to Corps Members whenever they fall ill. From the moment call up letters are issued, before they even begin their journey from their parents' homes, they are already covered by insurance," General Nafiu stated.
He disclosed that the Scheme also makes interventions in cases where particular ailments are not covered by the health insurance, citing instances where NYSC once paid N28 million to save the life of a pregnant Corps Member and her unborn child after she sustained spinal cord injuries in a road accident as well as N33 million to procure prosthetic arms for a Corps Member who was involved in a road traffic accident while travelling to his place of primary assignment after leaving the Orientation Camp.
General Nafiu cautioned against the spread of unverified reports about the Scheme in some sections of the media and urged journalists to always confirm facts with NYSC before publication.
He explained that the Scheme's posting policy is designed to address national needs, enabling all States of the federation to benefit from Corps Members' contributions, particularly in healthcare and education.
The NYSC Director General noted that Corps Members' involvement in national assignments such as elections, sensitisation programmes, and population census exercises has been widely commended both locally and internationally.
He assured that Corps Members would not be deployed to unsafe areas and reiterated that the Scheme remains apolitical and non religious in order to sustain its longstanding role in promoting national unity.
Jibrin Baba Ndace, Director General of Voice of Nigeria, congratulated General Nafiu on his appointment and praised his leadership since assuming office, noting that VON is collaborating with international media organisations to produce and promote positive stories about Nigeria.
"General Nafiu has demonstrated a modern leadership style. I commend the NYSC management, as no leader succeeds without the support of their team. At the Voice of Nigeria, our mandate is to project Nigeria's image, perspectives, and values to the global community. We currently broadcast in eight Nigerian languages," Ndace stated.
He pledged the agency's readiness to project NYSC's activities to a global audience and reiterated VON's commitment to partnering with NYSC on content development, youth focused programming, and amplifying the activities of Corps Members nationwide.
