The need for a sustainable community development project by Youth Corpers has again been emphasized.
The Coordinator NYSC Nasarawa state Abdullahi Ahmad Jikamshi made the assertion while inaugurating forty wheelchairs for physically challenged members of the Uke Community in Karshi Development Area of Nasarawa state.
The wheelchairs were secured for the beneficiaries by corps member Madugu Panam Amos through a partnership with a Jos based Non-Governmental Organisation Beautiful Gates. The company produces and donates wheelchairs free to physically challenged persons.
Jikamshi commended the corps member’s initiative through a project that directly touched the lives of a vulnerable segment of the society, adding that the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) Programme was specially designed to galvanize development at the grassroots.
He urged other corps members to emulate Madugu’s efforts by executing programmes and projects that would impact positively the lives of members of their host communities, particularly the indigent. He enjoined the beneficiaries to use wheelchairs to improve the quality of their lives.
The Coordinator noted that though Nigeria had been declared polio-free, parents must ensure that their children were duly vaccinated against childhood diseases such as polio, meningitis, measles, diarrhoea and malaria to reduce incidences of preventable physical disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Beautiful Gates Engr. Ayuba Gufwan urged the beneficiaries not to see their physical disabilities as limitations that would make them resort to begging for alms. He assured them that there was indeed ability in disability, assuring that with the aid of the wheelchairs they could engage in many vocations such as schooling, commercial ventures, handicrafts and become empowered economically to live meaningful lives.
He promised to provide more wheelchairs to those who did not benefit from the first scheme.
The Member representing Karshi at the Nasarawa State House Of Assembly, Honourable Mohammed Abdullahi who was represented at the event pledged to give corps members within his constituency the necessary support to carry out community enhancement projects.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of the area, the Yakanaje of Uke His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Abdullahi Hassan who was represented by Hussein Danladi, the Chief of Kampani Community, commended the corps member’s efforts and thanked the NYSC for facilitating community development initiatives by corps members.
