From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Two corp members who served during the 2023/2024 service year have received state honours awards from the Abia State Government. The two corp members are Chief Francis Owums and Dr. Ngene Joseph.
Speaking during the conferment of the honours awards on the corps members at the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) secretariat in Umuahia, the Chairman of the NYSC governing board in the state and Commissioner for Youth and sports, Nwalor Obilor said the present administration in the state was willing to do whatever possible to make NYSC to move forward in the state.
Represented by a director in the Ministry, Ugoala Elechi, Obilor commended Governor Alex Otti for ensuring NYSC in the state remains number one in the country.
While giving the state coordinator and her team thumps up for the good job they have been doing, the Commissioner equally congratulated the two awardees for being outstanding during their service year and urged them to aim higher as they move into the larger society.
The state coordinator of the NYSC, Gladys Adama said the awardees did not only excelled in their service but also made significant contributions to their host communities.
“Their selflessness, creativity, and passion for service are truly inspiring, and we are proud to recognize their efforts.
“As part of this recognition, the Abia State Government has generously approved a cash prize of N400, 000 each to our two awardees, in addition to a Certificate of Honour signed by His Excellency, the Governor of Abia State.”
She said the gesture underscored the state’s commitment to nurturing and rewarding talent and dedication among the youths.
One of the awardees, Chief Owums was said to have organized skills acquisition training programme for 151 jobless youths from Umuawa community in Umuahia North L.G.A, whom he also empowered with various sums of cash.
After receiving the award, Owums said when he was posted to Umuahia North for his primary assignment, he noticed there were a lot of young widows in the area and decided to come up with an empowerment programme to assist them.
“When I embarked on training and empowering the 151 people, I didn’t know it could earn me this award, I just did it to help humanity.”
Owums said the award will propel him into doing more for the upliftment of the downtrodden in society.
He commended Governor Otti and others who made the award possible and promised not to disappoint.
Dr. Ngene equally commended all who made it possible for him to receive the award, assuring to further out in his best for the betterment of humanity.
In recognition of Owum’s kind gesture, he received many commendation letters from the community and his place of primary assignment.
To further appreciate his great service to the people of Umuawa Community, the traditional ruler of Umuawa Alaocha Ancient Kingdom, Eze Godswill Asomugha conferred him with a Chieftaincy title “Olu Aka Chukwu 1 of Umuawa-Alaocha Kingdom.