A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi state, Miss Rahila Garba, has constructed and inaugurated a block of two classrooms in Gudun Hausawa Primary School, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis worth N3.5 million.
Speaking during the inauguration of the project on Tuesday, the corps member, who was serving in the Office of the Bauchi State Head of Civil Service, said that the project was part of her community Development Service, adding that it was solely financed by Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited.
According to her, the idea to embark on such a project was borne out of her eagerness to visit some schools and find out how conducive the pupils are while in class and to make an impact on their lives.
She said the Gudun Hausawa Primary School caught her attention when she visited the school and realised that the already existing structure was dilapidated while the pupils were sitting under the tree.
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“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 status.
“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 will cost for the construction of the entire project and I began to shuttle here and there seeking for approval and doing some paperworks.
“Finally, I 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 believe education is the key to every development in our homes, communities and the nation at large irrespective of our cultures, religion and tribes,” she said.
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She however, called on the state government and well to do individuals to help in providing the school with chairs and other furniture.
Also speaking, Mr Salmanu Baba, the Public Relations Officer, Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited, said the project, which was estimated at about N3.5 million was completed within 39 days.
“When she approached the organisation, she was asked about her financial capacity and she said she only had promises from other people.
“We decided to involve the community by tasking them to only provide us with the sand that would be used because we need to see their own commitment to the project too,” he said.
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The Bauchi state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Rifkatu Yakubu, said corps members had been encouraged by the scheme to integrate with their host communities so as to find out their challenges and proffer solutions where necessary.
She said this was what corps member Garba did by finding out the first need of the community and decided to take up the challenge.
The state Coordinator also called on other corps members serving across the country to always embark on both personal and group community development projects that would impact positively on the lives of their host communities.
In her response, the Caretaker Chairperson of Bauchi local government, Mrs Zainab Baba-Takko, lauded Garba for embarking on the project and promised that the state government would commence renovation of other parts as well as provide the chairs as requested by her.