Mr Shagari Sumner Sambo,
Corps Liaison Officer (CLO),
NYSC Kosofe LGA delivering
the vote of thanks at the event.
As the 2007/8 Batch B gradually awaits September 11, 2008 when they are expected to officially pass out from the NYSC scheme, it will be pertinent to categorically state how Community Development Service (CDS) activities have fared within the past one year in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Like many of their colleagues posted to various local governments where their Place of Primary Assignments (PPA) are located, Corps Members posted to Kosofe Local Government Area were all amiss as to the contributions they were expected to have contributed to the community by the time their service year was up; nevertheless the time then was still November 16th, 2007 – just a week after their departure from the Orientation Camp at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.
Having met 2007/8 Batch A on ground, we helped to support their various initiatives until their passing-out in March 2008. Now saddled with the responsibility of organising a befitting Community Development Service (CDS) activities, the executives of the two CD groups: Monday CD (Beautification & Maintenance) and Friday CD Health & Education were nominated while the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) was elected by all Corps Members to run CDS activities effectively.
Consolidating the efforts/projects of the past Batch A was the major task of the corps executives as we all set to work to make sure we distributed First Aid boxes well-stuffed with first aid drugs, plasters, bandages, pain relievers, scissors etc to major public primary schools within the Ogudu, Ojota, Ketu axis of the local government. Receiving the donations, the various school authorities could not hide their joy as they where full of appreciation for the kind gesture and made sure their pupils came out to say a big “thank you” to all corps members present. We also thanked them for appreciating the gifts and further sensitized the kids on first aid and safety education.
Restructuring the conduct of CDS activities and corps members’ attitudes towards undertaking jobs/services that seemed menial and meant for the “low class” members of the society was no mean task. To achieve this, the corps executives re-orientated the corps members on the essence of “service” by making sure that before each CD day begun, corps members oft started the day with an agenda which consisted: observance of prayers, singing of the National/NYSC Anthems, briefing on the job for the day and an address by the NYSC local government officials among others. This helped to create order and stability to a great extent as this was also the result of a well-prepared timetable which spelt-out specific objectives to be achieved weekly, monthly, and quarterly before the service year will come to an end.
Thus, with this structure on ground, it was easy to carry all corps members along during execution of projects like the frequent cleaning of the Ogudu/Ojota highway, sanitation of the Oba Ologudu of Ogudu’s palace and market, Ogudu Health Clinic, Ogudu Magistrate Court, Kosofe LGA premises, Lagos State First Lady’s Sanitation Programme and the Ogudu-Oworonshoki Expressway.
Our next port of call in the Kosofe community were the popular Ketu and Mile 12 markets where corps members regardless of their status, helped to sanitize the markets, motor parks and stalls of market women/men, bus drivers/conductors.
A major project to be embarked upon then was the proposed Ogudu Bus shelter project. Here, the Architects, Civil/Building Engineers etc among us were nominated into a standing project committee to prepare the design, cost and modalities for the implementation of the project. They did! But just when we were about getting approval for it, we were informed by council officials that the newly introduced BRT scheme had already earmarked the proposed site for its own bus stop shelter. Thus, the project had to be laid low.
Our quest to impact the Kosofe people positively via developmental projects was however not dampened by the above scenario – even though it hurt initially. Like soldiers serving our fatherland, which indeed we are, our next initiative led us into organising a maiden inter-school quiz competition for students of public secondary schools within the local government in order to help uplift the standard of education in such public schools.
With exemplary support from our indefatigable NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Chijioke Agu and his members of staff: Mrs Dosumu, Miss Duniya and Mr Ehis Enaholo; corps members were motivated by their active involvement and this boosted our morale as we all traversed the entire length and breadth of the city of Lagos seeking sponsorship/donations towards the quiz competition. To the glory of God and service to humanity, we realised a brand new computer set/printer, a mini-library, text books cash donations, dozens of promotional items like ball pens, writing materials, cartons of ‘Indomie Noodles”, pastries/refreshments and a hall from the following corporate sponsors: kosofe LGA, Macmillan Book Publishers, Spring mortgage Plc, Centre for Management Development (CMD), UAC Franchising (Mr Biggs), De- United Food Industries Ltd (makers of Indomie noodles), Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and CELPLAS Industries Ltd.
Having met 2007/8 Batch A on ground, we helped to support their various initiatives until their passing-out in March 2008. Now saddled with the responsibility of organising a befitting Community Development Service (CDS) activities, the executives of the two CD groups: Monday CD (Beautification & Maintenance) and Friday CD Health & Education were nominated while the Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) was elected by all Corps Members to run CDS activities effectively.
Consolidating the efforts/projects of the past Batch A was the major task of the corps executives as we all set to work to make sure we distributed First Aid boxes well-stuffed with first aid drugs, plasters, bandages, pain relievers, scissors etc to major public primary schools within the Ogudu, Ojota, Ketu axis of the local government. Receiving the donations, the various school authorities could not hide their joy as they where full of appreciation for the kind gesture and made sure their pupils came out to say a big “thank you” to all corps members present. We also thanked them for appreciating the gifts and further sensitized the kids on first aid and safety education.
Restructuring the conduct of CDS activities and corps members’ attitudes towards undertaking jobs/services that seemed menial and meant for the “low class” members of the society was no mean task. To achieve this, the corps executives re-orientated the corps members on the essence of “service” by making sure that before each CD day begun, corps members oft started the day with an agenda which consisted: observance of prayers, singing of the National/NYSC Anthems, briefing on the job for the day and an address by the NYSC local government officials among others. This helped to create order and stability to a great extent as this was also the result of a well-prepared timetable which spelt-out specific objectives to be achieved weekly, monthly, and quarterly before the service year will come to an end.
Thus, with this structure on ground, it was easy to carry all corps members along during execution of projects like the frequent cleaning of the Ogudu/Ojota highway, sanitation of the Oba Ologudu of Ogudu’s palace and market, Ogudu Health Clinic, Ogudu Magistrate Court, Kosofe LGA premises, Lagos State First Lady’s Sanitation Programme and the Ogudu-Oworonshoki Expressway.
Our next port of call in the Kosofe community were the popular Ketu and Mile 12 markets where corps members regardless of their status, helped to sanitize the markets, motor parks and stalls of market women/men, bus drivers/conductors.
A major project to be embarked upon then was the proposed Ogudu Bus shelter project. Here, the Architects, Civil/Building Engineers etc among us were nominated into a standing project committee to prepare the design, cost and modalities for the implementation of the project. They did! But just when we were about getting approval for it, we were informed by council officials that the newly introduced BRT scheme had already earmarked the proposed site for its own bus stop shelter. Thus, the project had to be laid low.
Our quest to impact the Kosofe people positively via developmental projects was however not dampened by the above scenario – even though it hurt initially. Like soldiers serving our fatherland, which indeed we are, our next initiative led us into organising a maiden inter-school quiz competition for students of public secondary schools within the local government in order to help uplift the standard of education in such public schools.
With exemplary support from our indefatigable NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Chijioke Agu and his members of staff: Mrs Dosumu, Miss Duniya and Mr Ehis Enaholo; corps members were motivated by their active involvement and this boosted our morale as we all traversed the entire length and breadth of the city of Lagos seeking sponsorship/donations towards the quiz competition. To the glory of God and service to humanity, we realised a brand new computer set/printer, a mini-library, text books cash donations, dozens of promotional items like ball pens, writing materials, cartons of ‘Indomie Noodles”, pastries/refreshments and a hall from the following corporate sponsors: kosofe LGA, Macmillan Book Publishers, Spring mortgage Plc, Centre for Management Development (CMD), UAC Franchising (Mr Biggs), De- United Food Industries Ltd (makers of Indomie noodles), Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and CELPLAS Industries Ltd.
Armed with these prizes, the maiden quiz contest organised for disadvantaged youths in public secondary schools within Kosofe LGA, where we undertook our mandatory one year national service, was nothing short of a fantastic and educationally-stimulating event as the initiative witnessed a large turnout of participating schools (despite the ongoing teachers’ strike then), corps members, invited guests and pressmen from some national dailies. The schools contested keenly for the prizes at stake with Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada emerging as the winner of the contest among others. A week after, we were featured in major national dailies with the kids showing off their prizes and corps members in the local government could not hide their joy and excitement on seeing how their seemingly “little” contributions had affected kids and members of their host community positively.
On a closing note, the NYSC office in Kosofe was not left out of the Batch B Corps Members’ midas touch as the office is today wearing a new look in terms of painting, new rug, window blinds and door locks courtesy of the magnanimity of a gentle but active and philanthropic corps member who chose to remain anonymous despite the huge beautification project.
As September 11, 2008, a day Americans can hardly forget, inches closer by the day; an important fact to note as this batch of corps members are warming up to pass out is that…Nigerian youths are silently leading a revolution by developing their competencies in creating an even society in terms of affecting their primary communities positively via development projects despite the fact that they have not been shown proper guidance by national leaders and have thus lost confidence in our politicians and political system.
As we prepare to pass out, we are already aware that our national leadership has not created enough jobs to absorb us or ameliorate the harsh effects of unemployment (as witnessed by recent large turnout in paramilitary recruitment exercises) which may befall some of us as is the case with others before us. To cushion this effect, we earlier organised entrepreneurship classes among ourselves where we learnt various skills in establishing & managing small businesses such as SMEs, soap/detergents making, shampoo making, bead making , venturing into stocks and shares et al. To further prepare ourselves, a job and online social networking workshop has been scheduled for 29th August 2008 where an expert is expected to educate us on creating and seeking job opportunities effectively via using online tools and websites.
Alongside other Corps Members posted to Lagos State and other states of the federation, we cannot but lift our heads high like the proverbial lizard and confidently say “yes we can, and we did’ affected Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State and Nigeria developmentally during our mandatory one year national service.
Sambo, Sumner Shagari, a journalist, is the outgoing Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) 2007/8 Batch B of Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Here are the pictures of the event
As we prepare to pass out, we are already aware that our national leadership has not created enough jobs to absorb us or ameliorate the harsh effects of unemployment (as witnessed by recent large turnout in paramilitary recruitment exercises) which may befall some of us as is the case with others before us. To cushion this effect, we earlier organised entrepreneurship classes among ourselves where we learnt various skills in establishing & managing small businesses such as SMEs, soap/detergents making, shampoo making, bead making , venturing into stocks and shares et al. To further prepare ourselves, a job and online social networking workshop has been scheduled for 29th August 2008 where an expert is expected to educate us on creating and seeking job opportunities effectively via using online tools and websites.
Alongside other Corps Members posted to Lagos State and other states of the federation, we cannot but lift our heads high like the proverbial lizard and confidently say “yes we can, and we did’ affected Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State and Nigeria developmentally during our mandatory one year national service.
Sambo, Sumner Shagari, a journalist, is the outgoing Corps Liaison Officer (CLO) 2007/8 Batch B of Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Here are the pictures of the event
Pix 1: From L-R: Computer set(1st prize), Mini-Library (2nd prize) Teaching aid/Text books ( 3rd Prize) and other consolation prizes at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 2: Clementina Anyaebosi, representative of the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat presenting the first prize award of a Computer/Printer to the winning school, Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 3: Mrs. Christy O. Irurhe, Principal, Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition, thanking NYSC Corps Members organisers of the contest held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 4: From R-L: Mr Chijioke Agu, Local Govt. Inspector, NYSC Kosofe LGA, Mrs Clementina Anyaebosi, representing the NYSC Lagos State Secretariat, Mrs Dosumu, Kosofe NYSC official, Mr. J.O Fapojuwo representing DG, Centre for Management Development and other Kosofe NYSC officials at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 5: The quiz master and his officiating team at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 6: A cross-section of members of the press and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 7: A cross-section of Corps Members participating schools’ officials and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 5: The quiz master and his officiating team at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.Pix 6: A cross-section of members of the press and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.Pix 7: A cross-section of Corps Members participating schools’ officials and invited guests at the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 8: A cross-section of school principals and invited guests at the event.
Pix 9: A group photograph of all the Kosofe NYSC officials and Corps Executives, organisers of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 10: A group photograph of all the Kosofe NYSC officials and Corps Executives, organisers of the maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 11: Students of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 12: Some of the participants from Ajegunle Senior High School, Ikorodu Road, Ketu, Lagos.
Pix 13: Students of Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, winners of the just concluded maiden Annual Inter-quiz Competition organised by NYSC Corps Members in Kosofe LGA held recently at Centre for Management Development, Ketu, Lagos.
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