By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The Bauchi State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Rifkatu Yakubu, on Tuesday commissioned a block of two classrooms constructed by a serving corps member in the state.
Speaking while commissioning the project which was constructed at the Gudum Hausawa Primary School, she explained that the corps member, Miss Rahila Garba, with batch number BA/23A/1101, facilitated the construction of the building by Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited as her Community Service Development project.
She commended the corp member for her resilience and determination to carry out the school building project despite challenges of raising funds to executive it.
The NYSC Coordinator, who commended Habib Engineering Nigeria limited for supporting the corps member to carry out the community development project, saying it was the core mandate of the scheme.
She therefore appealed to government at all levels, well-meaning Nigerians corporate organizations in the country to support corps members to carry out community development projects in communities in the country.
Yakubu explained that the block of classrooms built by the corps member was the first of its kind she had commissioned since assuming office as the NYSC Coordinator in the state about a year ago.
“I am very happy that this project is a big and viable one. We’re competing nationwide. We have the Local Government Honours Award, the State Honours Award and we have the Presidential Honours Award.
“This project would be forwarded to the National Headquarters and by the grace of God, she’ll compete with other states and by the grace of God, I know she’ll come out victorious,” she said.
The NYSC coordinator said that Garba’s project would bring succor to the pupils of Gudun Hausawa community, who hitherto had been studying in difficult conditions under trees and being exposed to snakes and other dangerous animals.
The Sarkin Gudum Hausawa community, Umar Tukur, appreciated the corps member for the gesture, saying it would benefit the entire community for generations to come.
Tukur also expressed gratitude to all those who supported the project and appealed to the Local Government Council to construct the road and a bridge in the community, saying school children found it difficult to cross to school during the rainy season.
In a remark, the Chairperson of Bauchi Local Government, Hajia Zinab Babantakko, commended Garba for facilitating the building of the classrooms in the school, assuring that the administration has to renovate all abandoned school buildings across the state.
Babatakko announced that the second block of classrooms in the school, which is in a dilapidated state would, be renovated in weeks to come, and equipped with learning and toilet facilities.
In her speech, the Corp member, said that when she came to Bauchi, she discovered that the school was in a deplorable condition with pupils learning under trees and sitting on bare ground.
She said that immediately she felt compassion for the children and decided to embark on the project to change the situation and it put a smile on the faces of the pupils and their teachers.
According to her: “At the time I was posted here for my primary assignment, I discovered the lack for more classrooms and the learning environment was not conducive for the pupils and the management of the school, even the state of the present structures already is dilapidated and needs urgent renovation as most students received the lectures under the trees.
“It was this horrible experience that gave birth to the idea for the construction of additional classrooms. Though at first, it was not an easy one to bring this idea to life considering my financial capability, but because I was determined and so passionate to see that this project is put to life,” she said.
The corps member said she made contacts and solicited for assistance from government ministries, departments and agencies as well as prominent individuals in the state to help her in achieving her plans, but only Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited volunteered to support her
Garba added: “I decided to make some consultations of what it will cost for the construction of the entire project and I began to shuttle here and there seeking for approval and doing some paperwork and I finally got the approval of the Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited for sponsorship. I am proudly saying that this project today is completed and it will be officially commissioned to commence class activities here.
“I challenge you today to rise and contribute your quota to society to make it a better place for all of us and our future leaders by supporting good education. Education is the key to every development in our homes, communities and the nation at large irrespective of our cultures, religion and tribes.”
She thanked the NYSC for granting her the approval to carry out the project and Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited for financing it, the Office of the Head of Civil Service for granting her the permission, fellow corps members that supported and encouraged her when this idea was first conceived and the management of the primary school .
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