The Chancellor of Gregory University, Uturu in Abia state, Prof. Gregory Ibe, has called on officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to the untimely death of some corps members in orientation camps across the nation.
He made the call on Thursday against the backdrop of the recent death of Fortune Ihe, a fresh Economics graduate of Gregory University, Uturu, at the Sokoto orientation camp.
He lamented the total absence of adequate medical facilities in such camps nationwide.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Ogbonnaya Ogwo, and made available to newsmen in Awka, Anambra state, the chancellor described the death of Fortune Ihe as avoidable.
“I am calling on the management of NYSC to explain to us the circumstances that led to death of Fortune Ihe, a young Nigerian graduate, who I had the rare privilege of nurturing personally from a freshman in our university to a promising global leader,” he said.
According to him, Ihe was posted to Sokoto state for the NYSC scheme, and reportedly died from a fever attack during orientation.
Prof Ibe queried the recurring cases of non-provision of healthcare amenities during NYSC orientation programmes, which has in the recent times resulted in the death of many young Nigerians including Elechi Chinonyerem in Bayelsa NYSC camp, Ukeme Monday in Zamfara NYSC camp and Ifedolapo Oladepo in Kano NYSC camp.
