NYSC MEMBER RENOVATES FOUR-CLASSROOM BLOCK, STAFF OFFICE IN SWALI, YENAGOA

 

By Toyyib Omowale 

As part of the Community Development Service (CDS) mandate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme, Mr. Brown Ebubechukwu, a Batch B Stream 2 Corps Member serving with the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigerian Police, has completed a personal CDS project " renovation of four classroom blocks and a staff office" at Community Primary School, Swali, Yenagoa.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Charity Okpalifo, described community development as a major pillar of the NYSC programme, often emphasized during the Corps members’ three-week orientation camp.

She commended Mr. Ebubechukwu for his determination and personal effort in completing such a meaningful project despite the challenges many Corps members face in securing funding.

"This is a shining example of what we teach in camp. I am proud that one of our own took this step. I urge other Corps members to take a cue from this initiative,” she said.

Mrs. Okpalifo also appealed to members of the Swali community to safeguard the project, embrace a maintenance culture, and inspire further community-driven development through local leadership.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Wisdom Poyeri, Executive Assistant to Governor Douye Diri on NYSC Matters, conveyed the state government’s appreciation, describing Mr. Ebubechukwu as “an uncommon citizen” whose initiative reflects the leadership potential of Nigerian youth.

"The society is calling on young people to fill the existing gaps with bold and meaningful solutions. This project is an inspiration," he added.

On his part, DSP Musa Mohammed , the Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, praised Mr. Ebubechukwu’s commitment to community service, describing him as a diligent Corps member. He noted that the Bayelsa State Police Command proudly supported the initiative as part of its community-friendly outreach efforts.

In his remarks, Mr. Ebubechukwu revealed that serving in the Public Relations Department of the Bayelsa State Police Command exposed him to the underlying causes of civil unrest, particularly youth cultism. He initially began an anti-cultism advocacy campaign across selected primary and secondary schools.

However, he said that witnessing the poor condition of learning environments inspired him to take on a more tangible intervention.

He expressed gratitude to his family, friends, and the Bayelsa State Police Command for their support in bringing the project to life.

Present at the commissioning were Hon. James Isaiah Gbenizibe, Community Development Chairman in Swali, NYSC State Executives, staff members of Community Primary School Swali, and pupils of the school.

The event was rounded off with the official commissioning of the renovated facility by Mrs. Charity Okpalifo.