From Paul Orude Bauchi
It was a day of joy and excitement as Bauchi State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, commissioned a block of two classrooms built by a corps member serving in the State.
Yakubu explained that the corps member, Miss Rahila Garba, with batch number BA/23A/1101, facilitated the construction of the building by Habib Construction Company as her Community Service Development project.
Yakubu praised Garba 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 to 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.
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.
She 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.
She assured that the project would definitely be forwarded to the national headquarters of NYSC to compete for the Presidential Award with other states across the country.
The leader of the 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 her 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 remark, Garba thanked the NYSC Directorate 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 .
“At the time I was posted here for my primary assignment, I discovered the school lacked classrooms and the learning environment was not conducive for the pupils and the management of the school, and structures were dilapidated and needed urgent renovation as most students received the lectures under the trees.,” she said
“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.
“I decided to make some consultations of what it would 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 officially commissioned to commence class activities here”