No fewer than 4,159 Batch B NYSC members for 2019 passed out on Thursday in Oyo State at a low key ceremony that was devoid of the usual parade.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was held in line with the COVID-19 protocol of social and physical distancing.
The ceremony involving 1,769 male and 2,390 female corps key members featured the distribution of national service certificates at the local government level.
NAN reports that some corps members were sighted in groups at Ibadan South-East, Ibadan North and Ibadan North East Local Government Secretariats collecting their certificates from Local Government
Speaking at Loyola College in Ibadan North East Local Government, one of the venues for the passing out ceremony, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe, urged the corps members to put into practice all the skills they acquired while in camp.
“Don’t allow the skills you have learnt to go to waste, don’t let it be redundant, use the little amount you have saved to start something, do not just go and lie down, saying that COVID-19 is there.
“You can go into agriculture, prove your worth in your communities and God will bless you.
“The passing out is low key because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to maintain social distancing as we have up to 4,159 members passing out.
” There is no way we can gather all corps members together, we have to stagger in groups. Some will come tomorrow, some next tomorrow and so on,” she said.
She added that no fewer than 26 corps members got an extension of service while 32 were to be remobilised.
The coordinator said another 11 received honours award while 81 went on maternity leave.
She added that five NYSC members died in the course of the service year.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director in charge of Press and Public Relations Unit, Mrs Christy Olatoye, said issuance of certificates would continue for 10 consecutive days to allow for a seamless distribution process.
“Corps members who are currently not in their state of service have been warned not to violate the ban on inter-state journeys in the bid to collect their Certificate of National Service.
“They are to wait till the ban is lifted and it is safe to travel before proceeding to their respective states of service to collect their certificates.
“This is in line with the directive from the NYSC management,” she said.
One of the corps members, Seyi Oladekan, expressed gratitude to God for passing out in spite of the low key ceremony.
“I’m very happy because, in spite of the fact that everything is not okay now, we have cause to thank God for everything,” he said.
(NAN)
