The Management Of The National Youth Service Corps has warned corps members serving across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory not to embark on any journey without the authorisation of the corps.
The warning comes in the wake of a reported crash that claimed the life of one Ige Adedayo, a corps member serving in Delta State, who died in a lone crash on Saturday at Ago Adura, Itori, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Confirming that Adedayo was a serving corps member in Delta State, NYSC’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, disclosed in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Metro on Sunday that he (Adedayo) was posted to Warri for his primary assignment. However, rather than report to his Place of Primary Assignment, Adedayo travelled to Ogun State without permission from the NYSC authorities in Delta.
Megwa added that the Director-General of NYSC has warned serving corps members against embarking on journeys outside the state of their service without NYSC permission.
He said, “He was posted to Warri for his PPA, but instead of reporting to his place of primary assignment, he travelled to Ogun State where he had an auto crash which claimed his life.
“NYSC is a one-year national service to give back to the country, and it’s just one year for you to stay in the state you are posted to and do your primary assignment. We always advise corps members not to embark on unnecessary journeys.
“The Director-General of NYSC is always emphasising this at all times, that serving corps members should not embark on journeys without the approval of the NYSC management. NYSC coordinators are there to assist you in whatever issue you’re having.
Megwa, while condoling with Adedayo’s family, described his death as saddening and a national loss.
“The death of this promising young boy is a loss to his family, a loss to NYSC, and a loss to the nation. It is a sad occurrence. The NYSC family in Ogun State has reached out to his family, and we condole with them at this trying time. We pray that the Almighty God will console them as we all grieve about his loss,” Megwa said.
Adedayo was said to have been among the corps members who had just left the orientation camp and probably came home for the Easter break before meeting his untimely death.
He was said to be an indigene of the Ogun State and graduated from D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, which was just a stone’s throw from where he had the accident.
The crash, which reportedly occurred around 6.55am on Saturday, involved a Mercedes-Benz with number plate JJJ168JF.
The spokesman for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the crash in a statement sent to journalists.
Akinbiyi said that according to eyewitness accounts, “The car driver dozed off while driving, which led to loss of control, tumbling, and crashing from inward to outward lane.”