14 corps members died in Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, say officials

   Seven members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), 2015 Batch B stream one, serving in Kaduna State, died during the service year.
State Coordinator Mr. Mohammed Momoh, who spoke during the Passing-Out Parade (POP) yesterday, said eight others, who absconded after their orientation last year, would repeat their service year.
He said 15 had their service years extended for violating NYSC rules and regulations.
“This is a punitive measure against erring corps members for violating rules and regulations of the corps,” he said.

Momoh noted that three corps members won the state’s prestigious merit award; seven got the chairman’s award while 10 won the state coordinator’s commendation award.
He praised the state and the people for the sustained moral and financial support to corps members, urging them to utilise skills acquired in their future endeavours.
Five corps members also died in Sokoto State. State Coordinator Mr. Thomas Yamma said they died of natural causes.
Yamma added that 11 would repeat the service year for absconding from their primary assignments, noting that seven had their years extended between two and four months for various offences.
“Four corps members received state merit awards; four got the chairman’s award and six got commendation letters.
“On the whole, corps members exhibited a high sense of commitment and diligence. I must also praise the management of the NYSC, Sokoto State government and the Sultanate for their sustained support to the scheme,” Yamma said.
State NYSC Chairman Muhammad Ladan hailed the corps members for being good ambassadors.
Two corps members died in Niger State. Twenty four had their service years extended.
Ten received the state merit award and another 10 received commendation.
State Coordinator Mrs. Bolade Omolayo Loto spoke during their POP yesterday.
According to her, the corps members had their service years extended because of their continuous absence from their primary assignments, without permission.
Loto, who refused to state the cause of deaths, said the NYSC would take measures in preventing further deaths.
She said 2,193 corps members passed out, adding that the ceremony was low key, as corps members will collect their certificates in their local government areas.