The principals, staff and students of Government Girls Secondary School Daura, the hometown of President Muhammadu Buhari, were full of excitement as a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Franklin Onwubiko donated set of class room seats to the school.
The epoch event attracted the Emir of Daura Umar Farouk Umar who was represented by Alh. Rabe Musa Maiadua and Alh. Abba Yahaya Baure, the Honourable member representing Daura in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Nasiru Yahaya, representative of the paramilitaries in the zone, the Zonal Inspector of NYSC, Daura Mr. Oketade Ifeoluwa, principals of both Junior and secondary section of the school, Corps members serving in the zone as well as students of the school.
In his address, Franklin Onwubiko, described the day as one of the turning points in his life. In his words, "I must say that today is an important day in my life as my dream to becoming a philanthropist has actually commenced. On a fateful day, I was moved to tears when I noticed students actually sat on bare floor in some classrooms. I thought of what to do, I had no money in my account. This became a burden and was committed to ameliorating the plight of the students.
"I wrote letters to people I could reach, but got no reply initially. "A million thanks to the oil magnate and CEO of Capital Oil and Gas, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who in his kind disposition and love for young people desirous of change in their society, decided to make this dream a reality. It's one thing to nurture a project and an entirely different thing to have someone not just believe in you but go out of their way to support the idea bearer. He's indeed a pillar, a blessing to this generation and a great inspiration". God bless you immensely Sir", he said.
Franklin, a graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka called on well meaning individuals in the state to lend support to the growing academic needs of various institutions of learning in Katsina State.
Hear him, "What I've done today is very minute compared to the growing needs of this school and other schools in Daura, hence, I call on good spirited individuals from this community and beyond to see Education as a collective responsibility. I solicit for your support in any measure."
Urging his fellow Corps members to take a cue from his ingenuity, the Anambra born said, "To my fellow Corps members, I'd leave with this piece of word from the amiable DG of NYSC, General Kazaure, “I want to assure you that the people of the north are peaceful and friendly. Keep an open mind and give it a chance and a trial. Your posting is not by mistake, stay here and make some impact on the people of the state.”
Earlier in his remarks, Hon. Yahaya commended the Corps member for his love and passion in his service to his fatherland. He urged others to emulate him.
One of the representatives of the Emir, Alh. Baure while commending the Corps member prayed for the continued sustenance of the program as it has encouraged peace and unity in the country. He advised the students to be hardworking and serious with their studies in a bid to wearing the khaki uniform.
Shortly before commissioning the project, Mr. Oketade commended Franklin for making a mark within his service year. He called on the Corps members to borrow a leaf from him in leaving a legacy behind wherever they are serving. He advised them to see the scheme as an avenue to affect lives even in the little possible way. The Zonal inspector expressed his happiness over the completion of the project, describing it as the right way to go as long as NYSC is concerned.
In her vote of thanks, the principal of the school, Hajia Raulah Lawal who was visibly elated thanked the benefactor for coming to the aid of the school. According to her, the donation would go a long way in solving the most pressing need of the school. She prayed God to bless the Corps member, while calling others to imbibe a life of legacy which the young man is living.
In would be recalled that the Corps member had flagged off a sickle cell disease awareness campaign in secondary schools in the zone the previous day, which according to him was targeted at sensitizing the students on the need to go for genotype tests before proceeding for marriage. According to Franklin, at least 5 senior secondary schools have been mapped out for the project. He disclosed that the project would run throughout the month of march before his passing out parade in April.Labels: education, latest
