Abia NYSC coordinator denies asking corps members to leave state

The Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, Abia state, Mrs Francesca Ifon has denied reports in the social media that she directed corps members in Abia to leave the state on account of insecurity.

Fielding questions from newsmen after her visit to Government House, Umuahia, Mrs Ifon debunked the allegation, stating that all corps members in the state are on ground.

She said that those that are not around at the moment obtained permission to travel, admitting that a lot of corps members applied based on the extant law of the NYSC not on account of insecurity but due to closure of schools and momentary stoppage of the Community Development Service (CDS.)

Mrs Ifon who said that she did not know the source of the write-up made it clear that Abia is absolutely safe and calm and therefore there is no reason whatsoever to ask any corps member to leave the state.

She assured the corps members that there is no cause for alarm as the security situation in the state is intact and advised them to go about their normal routines without fear.

Reacting to the report, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Ukpai Agwu reassured parents whose children are serving in Abia of the safety and protection of their wards.

He said that there is nothing to panic about as government is in control of the security situation in the state and used the forum to commend the state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for returning normalcy to the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Ugoeze Ezinne Ifeyinwa Uwasomba who is the chairman of the state NYSC Governing Board said the report is completely false and reassured corps members deployed to the state that Abia is safe.

Sunday Nwakanma – Umuahia