The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing corps members with access to high-quality healthcare throughout their service year.
He emphasized that corps members often face numerous risks and health challenges during their national service, which underscores the importance of a comprehensive healthcare plan tailored to their needs.
General Nafiu made this known during a familiarisation visit to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Highlighting the significance of health insurance in the NYSC scheme, Nafiu described the NHIA as a vital partner in ensuring the welfare of corps members. He called for stronger collaboration between both agencies to enhance service delivery and better support young Nigerians serving their country.
“Corps members’ welfare, particularly their health, is a top priority for us at NYSC. Strengthening our partnership with NHIA will go a long way in improving healthcare delivery for our members. I’m here to deepen our relationship and review the MoU between NYSC and NHIA,” Nafiu stated.
He expressed appreciation to Dr. Ohiri and the NHIA team for their continued support of the NYSC scheme and pledged to foster a more robust relationship moving forward.
In his remarks, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri congratulated General Nafiu on his recent appointment and lauded his dedication to corps welfare. He assured that NHIA remains committed to valuable partnerships that guarantee seamless healthcare services.
According to Dr. Ohiri, the ongoing collaboration between NHIA and NYSC, which involves significant deployment of both human and financial resources, has already had a positive impact on corps members. He added that the Authority is currently reviewing its operational guidelines and is intensifying efforts to accredit quality healthcare providers nationwide through its compliance and enforcement teams.
“We will work closely with NYSC to address any existing challenges. Our joint committee will identify critical areas for improvement to ensure corps members have uninterrupted access to the healthcare they need,” he said.
Meanwhile, General Nafiu also charged NYSC Guidance and Counselling Schedule Officers to brace up for the emotional and psychological challenges increasingly facing Nigerian youths.
Speaking in Abuja at the maiden workshop for schedule officers themed “Dealing with Contemporary Challenges in Corps Administration: Corps Guidance and Counselling, a Necessary Tool”, the NYSC boss raised concerns over the rising cases of drug abuse, depression, and suicide among young people.
He urged the officers to intensify efforts in identifying and supporting corps members facing mental health issues. “This assignment won’t be easy, but it’s necessary. The rising suicide rate is alarming, and we must pay close attention to the mental state of corps members under our care,” he said.
General Nafiu also assured that the Scheme would continue to train and retrain its personnel to ensure they are adequately equipped to manage the emotional wellbeing of corps members.
The Director of Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mr. Ayodele Omotade, commended General Nafiu for personally addressing participants drawn from all 36 state secretariats, the FCT, area offices, and the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters.
