BAUCHI – Rahila Garba, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi State, dedicated a block of two classrooms worth N3.5 million at Gudun Hausawa Primary School, which is located close to the state metropolis.
Garba, who works for the Office of the Head of Civil Service, stated during the occasion that Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited was the only source of funding for the project, which was a component of her Community Development Service.
She claims that her desire to tour other schools, observe how the students behaved in the classroom, and have a good influence on their life gave rise to the idea to start the initiative.
She said that the school caught her attention when she visited and realised that the existing structure was dilapidated as the pupils were sitting under the tree.
“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,” Garba said.
However, she made a plea to the State Government and affluent people to assist in funding the purchase of chairs and other furniture for the school.
Additionally, according to Mr. Salmanu Baba, Public Relations Officer at Habibu Engineering Nigeria Limited, the project—which was projected to cost roughly N3.5 million—was finished in 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.
According to Mrs. Rifkatu Yakubu, the Bauchi State NYSC Coordinator, the programme has pushed corps members to get involved in their host communities in order to learn about their problems and, if needed, give solutions.
Yakubu claimed that Garba fulfilled this task by determining the community’s primary need and choosing to accept the challenge.
She urged fellow national corps members to consistently engage in individual and collective community development initiatives that would have a beneficial influence on the lives of their host communities.
In response, Garba was praised for starting the project by Mrs. Zainab Baba-Takko, the Caretaker Chairperson of the Bauchi Local Government Area.
Baba-Takko pledged that the State Government will start renovating other areas of the school and provide the chairs that the corps member had asked for.