The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Corps member

  • Suspected robbers shoot dead corps member in Yenagoa

    Gunmen, suspected to be robbers, at the weekend shot dead a 30-year-old corps member and dispossessed him of his money and other valuables in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    The Police Public Relations Officer at the Bayelsa Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, confirmed the killing to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

    Butswat said preliminary investigation showed that the killing was cult-related adding that detailed investigation was ongoing to unravel those behind the dastardly act and apprehend them.

    According to the Police, the incident occurred on Saturday evening on Melford Okilo Road, INEC/Kpansia area of Yenagoa metropolis.

    The victim, Samuel Collins, was a graduate of Engineering from the University of Benin.

    Collins was accosted by the hoodlums at INEC Road junction on his way to the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board’s office on Isaac Boro Expressway, where he was undergoing training.

    According eyewitnesses, the young man was gunned down when he tried to drag his phones and valuables with his assailants.

    An eyewitness, who wished anonymity, said Collins was shot by the gunmen at a close range on his head.

    He said the bullets from the hoodlums’ guns shattered the victim’s head.

    The gunmen abandoned the lifeless body of their victim, fled the scene after making away with his phone, money and other valuables.

    Some of his friends described Collins as an easy-going and brilliant young man.

    They confirmed that the Police had since removed his body and deposited it at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre,Yenagoa.

    According to them, arrangements were being made to take his remains to his hometown, Port Harcourt, Rivers for burial.

  • Panic as Corps member dies of Lassa fever in Cross River 

    Panic as Corps member dies of Lassa fever in Cross River 

    There is panic in Obubra local government area of Cross River State following the death of a National Youth Service Corps member who was serving in the area.

    The Corps member, Onwuegbuzie Stanley Samuel was serving in Community Secondary School, Ofodua in Obubra.

    It was gathered that the late corps member fell ill of the disease and was taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) where he died around 8pm on Friday.

    Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu, who confirmed the unfortunate incident, said the situation was under control.

    “Unfortunately somebody died Friday.  A corps member serving in Obubra. He got Lassa fever and was rushed to the teaching hospital in Calabar and he died there around 8pm. What we are essentially doing now is to see how we can reduce that panic, educate the people and send health workers to the community to do more of sensitization so that people would know what the disease is and how they can prevent it,” Edu said.

    Principal of the school where the Corps member worked, Mr Umenyi Igiri said, “He took ill on the 1st of May. He was feeling feverish. He went to a clinic where he was given drugs. The drugs they gave him there seemed to relieve him.  Towards the end of last week, on Saturday precisely it became very serious. He was admitted to a private clinic and when it got worse he was transferred to the General Hospital in Obubra on Sunday night. Again they could not manage the situation and he was referred to Calabar. I arranged for a chartered vehicle that drove him to Calabar on Monday. It was there he died.”

     

  • Corps member gets Ayade’s N1m pledge

    Oluwatobi Oke, the Corps member, who made a painting of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade last December, has got the N1 million the governor promised him.

    Obaji Abung-Akpet, the Creative Director of Cross River Studios, the firm that managed the Corps member for the event, made this known to him.

    The 27-year-old Corps member, who promotes his art through the brand name, 9jARTitude, is serving at the Ebonyi State Government House.

    He  described the governor as “one with sterling credential in youth development”. The governor, he said supports youth innovation without being bothered with where the beneficiary comes from.

    Asked what he would do with the cash, he said the money would help him achieve his dream of having an art studio to build the capacity of young people who are interested in arts.

    Oluwatobi, an indigene of Ilisan-Remo in Ogun State, started his artworks at six. The Economics graduate of Lead City University, honed the skill with his performance of speed paintings of prominent personalities at events.

    The Corps member endeared himself to Ayade when he showed up, at the governor’s Evening Ball event held at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) in Calabar, where he did a four-minute surprise painting of the governor.

  • Corps member dies in laptop explosion in Jalingo

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Taraba State, Olawale Olusegun Olamide, is dead. The 2016 Batch B, Stream 1 Corps member died while being rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo, the state capital, last Saturday, after his laptop exploded.

    Olusegun, whose place of primary assignment was Government Day Secondary School in Wuro-Sembe in Jalingo, was said to be using the laptop in his room when the computer exploded.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the late Olusegun suffered severe burnt on his lap, leaving him writhing in pain. The Corps member was said to have died before reaching the hospital.

    His colleague, who did not want his name mentioned, recalled how the Corps member died. The witness said the late Olusegun used the laptop whenever he was less busy.

    He said: “On the day the incident happened, the late Olusegun was using the laptop in his room. He left the laptop plugged to an electricity source and stepped out of his room to discuss with a neighbour. He returned to his room after a period of time. Suddenly, the neighbour heard a loud bang and screamed for help.

    “People living around rushed to the scene and found Olusegun’s laptop burning on his lap. Olusegun was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo after the fire was put out. He died before getting to the hospital.”

    It was gathered that the NYSC Local Inspector had contacted the deceased’s next of kin to inform the family of the incident. Efforts were being made at press time to transfer the body to Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, where the late Olusegun hailed.

    The deceased was described as easygoing and cool-headed. He graduated from Olabisi Onanbanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State.

  • A Corps member’s footprints in Buhari’s hometown

    A Corps member’s footprints in Buhari’s hometown

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member in Katsina State, Franklin Onwubiko, has donated furniture to a secondary school in Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s home town, to boost education. ADEFISAYO ALIU (NYSC KATSINA) reports.

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Franklin Onwubiko, was the cynosure of all eyes when he donated furniture to Government Girls Secondary School in Daura, hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State, as part of his personal Community Development Service (CDS) project.

    The principal, staff and pupils could not hide their joy as they took delivery of the furniture at a ceremony attended by Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, who was represented by Alhaji Rabe Musa Maiadua and Alhaji Abba Yahaya Baure.

    Also in attendance was member representing Daura in the House of Assembly, Nasiru Yahaya, NYSC Zonal Inspector, Mr Ifeoluwa Oketade, principals of junior and secondary sections of the school, representatives of paramilitary formations in the zone and Corps members.

    Franklin described the event as a turning point in his life, saying: “Today is an important day in my life.”

    He said the gesture was informed by the need to increase access to basic education in the state. The Corps member said he was moved to tears when he noticed pupils sat on bare floor in some classrooms.

    “This became a burden on me and I took it as a responsibility to solve the plight of the pupils,” he explained.

    The project, Franklin said, was funded by an oil firm, Capital Oil and Gas, which is owned by Chief Ifeanyi Ubah. He said his proposal sent to the firm was considered based on the objective to promote education and positive change in the state.

    Franklin said: “It is one thing to nurture a project and a different thing to have support from people who believe in your idea and goals. I am grateful to Chief Ubah, who supports my idea. He is a pillar, a blessing to this generation and great inspiration.”

    Franklin, a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, urged well-heeled individuals to lend support to the growing academic needs of schools in the state.

    He said: “What I have done is very minute, compared to the growing needs of the school and other schools in Daura. I call on good-spirited individuals from this town and beyond to see education as a collective responsibility. I solicit for their support in any measure to promote access to quality education and conducive environment.”

    He also urged his colleagues to take a cue from his idea and leave indelible impact on their places of primary assignment and host communities.

    The Corps member used the occasion to chart the course of peace, saying the kindness of Daura people had erased the prejudice sown in his mind when he was posted to partake in National Youth Service in the North. He described Northerners as “peaceful” and “friendly”.

    Charging his colleagues to make impacts, Franlin said: “Keep an open mind with people in your host communities and give in your best in making their lives better. Our posting to this state is not by mistake; we must stay here and make lasting impacts on the people.”

    Yahaya praised the Corps member for his passion for education and his service to his fatherland. He urged other Corps members to emulate him.

    Alhaji Baure hailed the Corps member’s gesture, praying for the sustenance of the NYSC programme which he said has promoted peace and unity in the country. He admonished the school pupils to study hard to enable them reciprocate the gesture in other parts of the country.

    Shortly before presenting the furniture to the school, Oketade applauded the Corps member for “leaving an unforgettable mark in his host community”. He called on other Corps members to borrow a leaf from the idea in leaving a worthy legacy. He advised them to see the scheme as a platform to make positive impacts.

    The principal of the school, Hajia Raulah Lawal, thanked the Corps member for supporting the school. According to her, the gesture would go a long way in solving the “most pressing” need of the school. She said prayers for Corps member, as she called on others to take a cue from the legacy.

    In  a follow up on his personal CDS project, Franklin also flagged off a sickle-cell campaign in secondary schools in the zone. According to him, the awareness was aimed at sensitising young people on the need to know their genotype before marriage.

    He said five senior secondary schools were shortlisted for the project, which begins this month and ends in April.

     

     

  • Ayade promises Corps member N1m for drawing him

    Twenty-seven year-old Corps member, Oluwatobi Kehinde Oke, popularly known as Tobi Oke, is drawing his way to fame in Ebonyi State, where he is serving at the Government House in Abakaliki.

    The Economics graduate has become popular for his artistic talent of performing four-minute surprise speed paintings of prominent Nigerians.

    The Corps member’s talent paid off during the governor’s ball organised in honour of Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade at the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC).

    Ayade, his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, represented by his Deputy, Prince Eze Madumere, and other dignitaries were awed when Oke did a live upside down speed painting of Ayade in four minutes.

    Elated by Oke’s performance, Ayade made a public declaration to buy the painting for N1 million.

    Ironically, Oke, a Lead City University, Ibadan graduate, has no formal education in art.

    He said his mother encouraged him to hone his artistic skills from the age of six in 1996.   Since then, Oke said he has developed such unique specialties as live speed painting, which is a painting, usually of a prominent figure done within two minutes or more, which he prefers to do upside down as his own unique selling point.

    Oke said he has had the opportunity to perform in several popular events including Law Digest Africa Awards 2015 -where he painted popular music icon, Bob Marley; Outstanding Young Achievers Awards 2016 -painting Fela Kuti; at Chocolate City founder, Audu Maikori’s birthday 2016 -painting Audu Maikori; Home Advantage Africa Evolve 2016 -painting Jesus Christ; Jam City Festival, 2015 -painting Nelson Mandela; Palm Experience, Ibadan -Bob Marley; among others.

  • Pupils participate in Corps member’s business contest

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State, Ibrahim Anoba, has vowed to promote skill acquisition and entrepreneurship among young people in the state. In achieving his aim, Ibrahim organised a free enterprise contest for pupils of five secondary schools, tagged: How entrepreneurship promotes community peace, prosperity and justice.

    The contest was held at St. Peters Anglican Middle School in Inisa.  Five schools, including Odo-Otin High School, Inisa High School, Igbaye Community High School, Government Technical College and  Okua Community High School participated in the contest.

    Ibrahim said his seven-month stay in Inisa town gave him opportunity to gauge young people’s mood towards business. Inisa youths, he said, are industrious and have flare for business.

    “I noticed youngsters here have strong passion for trade. In the local markets, they are either owners of small businesses or assisting their parents. Some even skip schools for market days,” Ibrahim said.

    The Corps member collaborated with African Liberty Organisation for Development (ALOD) to equip the pupils with ideas to transform their small businesses to big enterprises.

    The pupils were taken through entrepreneurship trainings before the contest. Mr Bolarinwa Olabode, a development expert and Director of Refuge of Life Foundation, enlightened the pupils on the benefits of volunteerism.

    During the contest, each participating school was represented by two pupils. After the engaging debate, Inisa Grammar School, represented by Caleb Fabowale and Abdul-Rasaq Abdul-Akeem, came first.

    Isaac Bolarinwa and Oladayo Ajiboye of Government Technical School took second position, while Mayowa Oluwaremi and Olubukola Iyiola of Odo-Otin High School came third.

    ALOD Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas, praised the Corps members for the project, encouraging the pupils to work harder to attain their dreams. Thomas said the project was supported by ALOD in conjunction with Kids4Biz, Acton Institute and Language of Liberty Institute.

    He said: “It is a great joy taking these young Africans through the principles of free market system. I am glad to see them coming out with understanding ideas to improve their business skills.”

    During the competition, hundreds of copies of a book titled Johnny Profit and 250 copies of Ideas For A Free Society compact discs were distributed to the pupils.

  • Corps member adopts governor’s agric scheme

    Corps member adopts governor’s agric scheme

    A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Ebonyi State, Godshield Kanjal, has begun the implementation of his One-Man-One-Hectare, an agricultural programme initiated by Governor David Umahi to increase rice output.

    The Corps member has cultivated three hectares of land for rice production.

    The programme is aimed at boosting food production and wealth creation.

    Kanjal explained that he adopted the programme to develop his entrepreneurial skill. He said the dwindling oil revenue gave rise to the need for the youth to engage in agriculture as the way out of joblessness.

    He said: “Since the governor introduced the initiative, which has the potential to boost food production, I have been thinking of how I could use the opportunity for my advantage. This is why I went into farming during the period of my service.”

    Kanjal said it was high time young graduates started shifting their attention away from white-collar jobs and embraced agriculture. He invited other Corps members to join hands with him.

    He advised the government to make soft loans available for youths willing to farm, noting that the government’s agricultural initiative could create jobs.

     

  • Corps member donates books to school

    Corps member donates books to school

    To enhance the quality of education and promoting reading culture amongst students, a National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) member in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Kingsley Amatanweze, has donated books worth N100,000 to a school in his host community.

    The books comprised science textbooks and novels, among others, were donated to pupils of Government Girl’s Secondary School in Makurdi in collaboration with Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    At a ceremony held to handover the books, the school principal, Mrs Scholastica Lyam, hailed the Corps member’s gesture, saying the books would aid the pupils’ learning.

    She said: “This young man has listened to the patriotic side of his heart and lifted humanity with this action by contributing immensely to the education of students in this school. May God bless him for this for this kind gesture.”

    The Vice Principal, Mrs Esther Ajuko, who praised the Corps member for his dedication and commitment to service of the country, enjoined the pupils to emulate him. “Kingsley has surprised us. The impact he is making is tremendously felt by everyone, because he has shown great commitment to his assignment. His spirit and energy during his stay here is worth emulating,” she said.

    She advised the pupils to read the books to show appreciation and remember the sacrifice the Corps member made in providing the books for them.

    Mrs Baba Ochankpa, who represented the Makurdi Zonal Inspector of NYSC, Dr Julie Ibu, applauded the Corps member for the initiative, urging the beneficiaries to cherish the books. She said the gesture would outlive the Corps member, because generation of pupils would read and benefit from the books.

    She said: “Kingsley has sown good seeds that will continue to germinate. It is the duty of the pupils to let the seeds grow by reading these books and acquire knowledge.”

    Kingsley, a CAMPUSLIFE reporter, said he felt the need to assist the pupils in getting access to quality books because of his passion for education. He said: “My passion for quality education prompted me to look into areas where the pupils who need good books have access to them to aid their learning. I have always noticed the pupils’ desire for quality books that would enable them to realise their goals and potential. I hope the books would enhance their learning and boost reading habits in the school.”

    Angela Onoja, the Head Girl, who spoke on behalf of the pupils, thanked the Corps member for the donation. Jennifer Kosu, SSS 1 pupil, excited about the books, saying: “The world would be a better place if young people contribute their quota to the development of the society they lived in.”

  • CAMPUSLIFE man is Ekiti’s best Corps member

    CAMPUSLIFE man is Ekiti’s best Corps member

    A graduate of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and CAMPUSLIFE reporter, Sam Ibok, has emerged as one of the best National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the 2015 Batch “B” Stream 1 in Ekiti State. Sam won multiple awards during the passing-out ceremony held at Ado-Ekiti Pavilion.

    Sam, a graduate of Education Religion, was one of the five outstanding Corps members honoured for their good conduct and life-changing Community Development Service (CDS) projects. He served at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY).

    After he received his award, Sam said NYSC gave him opportunity to actualise his dream of using his knowledge to touch people’s lives. He said: “It has been my dream that if I have an opportunity, I will give my best to my fatherland in terms of selfless service. Today is a remarkable day in my life.”

    He said his activities were informed by the lack of basic needs in his host community, prompting him to embark on projects that earned him the accolades.

    Some of his CDS projects included computer training programme for youths, donation of press boards to schools, establishment of press clubs in 10 secondary schools and two higher institutions. He was also one of the presenters of Kopa’s diary, a weekly live television show of Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES). Sam was also honoured as the Integrity Corps Member of the Year.

    Governor Ayodele Fayose praised the outstanding Corps members for their life-changing projects, saying their contributions to the development of the state would not be forgotten. He pledged his administration’s commitment to partnership with the NYSC.

    The NYSC co-ordinator, Mr T.C. Ibeh, assured that the body would continue to reward excellent service, diligence, hard work and outstanding performance put up by Corps members. He urged the NYSC members to continue to show faith in the continued existence of the country and engage in acts that would promote national unity, peace and development.