Ukeme Asuquo was a first class graduate from the University of Uyo; Ifedolapo Oladepo had a fledgling prospect before her. What is synonymous with this set is nothing else but the inevitable end that awaits each and every one of us but theirs was rather unfortunate in that they were cut off in their prime; at a time they were foreseeing something adventurous after their youth service but that future has been rather shattered- this they never bargained for. Their deaths were avoidable. Ukeme died of diarrhoea which might give one a hint of the [deplorable] state of the environ the camp is situated. Furthermore, the effect of diarrhoea could easily be curtailed if the necessary treatments were administered on time.
Ifedolapo's case is really disheartening: for the lady in her 'helpless' state to have probably complained of exhaustion and a group of uninformed person to have presumed that she was trying to dodge parade leave so much questions to the probing mind. She knew her killer [who gave her some 'unwarranted' injection]; she thought she would be safe in his care so she did not have to struggle with him but the series of frantic that she put through to her sister, tells that she never wished to leave this way. And to those who would rather not be 'fooled' by supposed pretense, I hope you are now 'justified', right?
Now to the unison (NYSC) that had brought these together; this is not the type of report(s) that ought to be emanating from the camp. If the orientation camp should be recording this kind of unfortunate incidents, what should one expect when the camping proper commences. The NYSC camp is no 'death camp' and the land should not keep getting immersed in the blood of its future stars...life is sacred and should be treated no less. The quest for cultural integration should not be prioritized over the need to preserve life.
This sequence of deaths have caused aggrieved persons to call for the scrapping of the scheme as they believe it is a waste of resources (human and financial). However, rather than championing for its termination [for it is certain that the scheme has in time past linked up some great minds- it is not all gloomy], I believe it is high time the NYSC directorate holistically reviewed the setup of the scheme. The directorate must ensure that modalities that see to the health concerns and general welfare of the corps members are in place right from the orientation camp. In this regard, the directorate should consider the following suggestions:
Provision of standardized healthcare facilities in and around the camp;
Presence of experienced medical practitioners and/or fresh medical graduates that have exhibited a good level of professionalism in the course of their study years in the camp;
Prospective corps members should be subjected to a compulsory and thorough medical checkup prior to their resumption to camp;
Regular maintenance of good sanitation around the camp;
Establishment of two or more orientation camps within the states that are to host corps members.
As obvious as the need for the aforementioned might be, it is alarming that they are often not given the necessary attention. It will not be out of place to suggest that the directorate limit the number of batches taken into camp over the span of one year. Measures tailored towards crowd management should be implemented.
Many great minds and potentials have been lost in the course of serving and it is quite sad to see someone victimized before correction(s) can be sought...yet it is pathetic to note that in this part of the world; we hardly learn from this kind of things in order to prevent and/or minimize future occurrences: these should concern us as a nation.
One might not have answers to so many questions surrounding the sad events that have emanated from the camp but one question that I wish to put forward to a body that has made it a point of duty to cater for the throng of graduates [as they serve their fatherland] is: Why should these things be and why should the body itself continually be? Now more than ever before, is the time for NYSC to stand and defend its modus operandi: has it done its best to prevent these occurrences?