The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has reacted to the death of three corps members, Elechi Chinyerum Nwenenda, Oladepo Ifedolapo and Asuquo Ukeme Monday, who died in the on-gong 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser Media, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Dalung commiserated with the families of the deceased. He stated that a panel of inquire will be set up by the government to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of the corps members.
Read the full statement below:
The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has commiserated with families of the three NYSC 2016 Batch B Corps members who died at three orientation camps last week. 26 year old Oladapo Ifedolapo Racheal (Osun) with state code KN/16B/1847 died in Gwarzo General Hospital following complications arising from an ailment few days into the orientation Programme. Asuquo Monday Ukeme (Akwa Ibom) with state code ZM/16B/1780 passed at the Federal Medical Centre Gusau in Zamfara while 27 year-old Elechi Nwanenda Chinyerum (Rivers) with state code BY/16B/1300 died at the Diete-Koki Memorial Hospital Yenegoa.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung decried the death of these Corp members describing it as tragic and shocking. ” We received the news of the death of the young Nigerians who were mobilized to national Service in three states for NYSC. Details of the circumstances leading to their untimely death simultaneously are not yet available to my office but the unfortunate and sad news of their demise is indeed devastating as these young people were our hope for the future.
They are national heroes who died in national service of their fatherland. “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria we commiserate with the bereaved families and pray God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” Meanwhile, the Youth Ministry is to set up an enquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the death of the young Corp members while a comprehensive review of the health facilities in the orientation camp nationwide will be embarked upon. Barrister Dalung said that a thorough investigation and inquiry will be put in place to ascertain whether the young Nigerians died due to negligence or natural causes.
“We appeal to Nigerians and other Corps members to be calm at this moment of grief while focusing on their national duty as efforts are being put in place to guarantee their comfort and safety. I want to assure Nigerians that we will avail the country with the circumstances that led to their death.” the Minister urged.
