A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Bauchi State, Rahila Garba, yesterday, inaugurated a block of two classrooms worth N3.5 million in Gudun Hausawa Primary School, near Bauchi metropolis.
Garba, who is serving in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, said that the project was part of her Community Development Service, solely financed by Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited.
According to her, the idea to embark on the project was borne out of her eagerness to visit some schools and find out how conducive the pupils were in class and to make positive impact in their lives.
She said the school caught her attention when she visited and realised that the existing structure was dilapidated as the pupils were sitting under the tree.
Garba said: “It was this horrible experience that gave birth to the idea for the construction of additional classrooms.
“Though at first, it was not easy 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 to construct the entire project. And I began to shuttle here and there seeking for approval and doing some paperwork. Finally, I got the approval of the Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited for sponsorship.
“I am proudly saying that this project today is completed and officially inaugurated to commence class activities.
“I believe education is the key to development in our homes, communities and nation at large, irrespective of our cultures, religion and tribes.”
She, however, appealed to the state government and wealthy individuals to help in providing the school with chairs and other furniture.
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Also, the Public Relations Officer, Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited, Mr Salmanu Baba, said the project, which was estimated at about N3.5 million, was completed within 39 days.
“When she approached the company, 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.
The Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, 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.
Yakubu said this was what Garba did by finding out the first need of the community and decided to take up the challenge.
She called on other corps members in the country to always embark on both personal and group community development projects that would impact positively on the lives of their host communities.
Caretaker Chairperson of Bauchi Local Government Area, Mrs Zainab Baba-Takko, lauded Garba for embarking on the project.
Baba-Takko promised that the state government would commence the renovation of other parts of the school and also provide the chairs as requested by the corps member.