Bauchi State office of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has absolved itself of any complexity in the death of a female Corps member, late Magdalene Yohanna who collapsed while in the orientation camp and later confirmed dead at the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) on the 1st of April.
While reacting to the story titled ‘HOW NYSC CONCEALED THE DEATH OF CORPS MEMBER IN BAUCHI CAMP’ trending in the media that the State office concealed the death of the late Corps member the State Coordinator, Afolayan James described the story as untrue and baseless.
Afolayan James stated that: “Those familiar with our operations, know that the welfare and general well-being of the Corps members are given top most priority and consideration by the Management of the scheme. This informed Management decision that Prospective Corps members must come to the orientation camp with a duly signed Medical Report by a registered Medical practitioner from a recognized Government Healthcare stating the true health condition of every Prospective Corps member.”
He added that: “Also Prospective Corps members who have serious health challenges are also relocated instantly to any place where they can receive adequate Medicare since their condition will not allow them to stay in camp explaining that, “Corps member Magdaline Yohanna reported to camp full of enthusiasm and zeal to serve the fatherland in Bauchi State. Therefore, the Corps member did not indicate any health challenge in the registration documents she completed and neither did she complain of Asthma on arrival on camp.”
The Coordinator further explained that no Corps member is forced to do anything against his or her wish as contained in the story stating that ,”The programme for the day is also read to all and other information given. It was while this was on that it was noticed she was uncomfortable and Medical Officials on standby moved her with the NYSC Ambulance to the clinic where she was attended to by Corps Doctors and the Resident Doctor from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, (ATBU TH) Bauchi”.
“The Resident Doctor who is more experienced on examining her commenced treatment for Ulcer based on the complaint of pain in the chest and lower abdomen. He also effected her immediate transfer to the Teaching Hospital (ATBU TH) having assessed that her case should be referred. Also the brother that came to Bauchi on being informed of the unfortunate incident equally said that she had a history of health challenge of ulcer and that she was discharged from hospital in the last days of December, 2018, after undergoing treatment,” he added.
Afolayan James added that: “It is also noteworthy that the NYSC and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital encouraged the family to allow an Autopsy to be carried out but this was declined in writing with appreciation for the efforts made to save her life.”
“After consultations with the family she was given a burial in line with NYSC Guidelines on such matters. The Bauchi State Government wrote a Letter of Condolence to the family which was delivered by its officials who attended the burial. The NYSC Secretariats in Bauchi and Kaduna States were fully represented at the burial. Therefore referring to the unfortunate incident at a public event almost two weeks after its occurrence will be opening the deep wounds and refreshing the pains already inflicted on the Scheme and the deceased family by the demised of the Corps member. The issue of concealment of death therefore does not arise at all”, he explained.
“While he recognizes the role and place of the media as a partner in advancing the noble mandate of the NYSC Scheme through positive news reportage and projection of the giant strides of the scheme in the various developmental areas of the country the NYSC Coordinator stated that, “This is anchored, we believe, on the professional calling of the press and the cordial relationship between the NYSC Scheme and the press over the years.”
“Therefore, we remain ever grateful to the Press, particularly the Nigerian Union of Journalist Bauchi State chapter. Pursuant to the above, our appeal really is that journalists should always cross check their facts before rushing to publish in order to avoid creating apprehension and panic among citizens.
“While we remain grateful to those journalists who called to cross check facts with us, we urge those who were scheduled for appointment on the issue and mobilized for the purpose to strive to sustain our good relationship. We want to assure all of continuous working relationship in building a strong, united and virile nation. Our doors are always open for constructive engagement.”
“Once again our prayers and thoughts are with the family of the deceased.”
It will be recalled that various news media had reported the death of late Magdalene Yohanna a female Corps member who slumped and died while in camp due to a sudden illness.
