30th August, 2014
Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Saturday, said 200, 000 corps members participated in the monthly sanitation programme across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of the programme in Akure, Olawumi said corps members would also be part of aggressive enlightenment scheme that would sensitise the entire populace on the dangers inherent in improper waste disposal and a dirty environment.
According to him, sanitation enlightenment programme will expose corps members and the public to the use of incinerators and how to recycle some of the wastes to create wealth.
Olawumi noted that the new programme was designed to involve all corps members to ensure safe and hygienic environment for the country.
“NYSC has touched lives positively, brought development to our urban and rural communities and executed major national assignments whenever it is called upon.
“Corps members have contributed tremendously to the fight against HIV and AIDS, conducted Millennium Development Goals’ advocacy across the nation and assisted in the implementation of the National Programme on Immunisation.
“The programme will ensure mass attendance and participation of more corps members in the monthly exercises in their various host communities across the nation,” he said.
Olawumi commended Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State for accepting to partner with the NYSC on the programme.
Mimiko expressed happiness that the state was chosen to inaugurate the programme. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Kola Ademujimi, he advised the people of the state to maintain personal hygiene and imbibe the habit of hand washing.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness. What we are doing today in the state is very important and we are happy to pilot the programme,” he said.
Mimiko advised the people of the state to avoid contact with the dead and avoid eating bush meat as precautions against Ebola virus Disease.