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Corps Member Leads War Against Open Defecation, Donates Toilets Facility to Dakwa Community

Published

5 years ago

January 14, 2021

…1,000 women to enjoy free genotyping and blood grouping

Joel Ajayi

While others are using their allowees to purchase unnecessary things, a kindhearted Youth Corps Member, Dr. Vincent Emmanuel Chidera, has decided to use his own to ameliorate the suffering of people by donating a 4-unit toilet facility to the Dakwa community in Dei-Dei, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The facility will no doubt help more than 60 Almajiri children who resorted to open defecation because of lack of adequate toilet facilities.

Not only that, in partnership with Dr. Chidera’s Place of Primary Assignment, 1000 women of reproductive age group 15-49 in the communities will enjoy free genotyping and blood grouping.

Dr. Chidera is from the South-East, born and bred in the North, schooled in the South, and currently serving at the EL-HUSSAN Specialist Hospital in Dei-Dei in Abuja.

However, the commissioning of the Community Development Service Project of Dr. Chidera attracted the attention of NYSC Headquarter and the FCT chapter as they were all physically present to grace the occasion.

While commissioning the project, the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, Director General, Brig. Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim applauded the young man for the laudable initiative, he then called on all the corps members to borrow a leaf from the character of Dr. Chidera by making themselves relevant in their community development toward the growth and development of their father’s land.

NYSC Boss said that the construction of the toilet was timely as it would help to prevent so many airborne diseases, more so as Coronavirus ravaged the world.

He said; “During the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, we have to suspend our mobilization but corps members were mobilized nationwide to contribute to the fight and when the history of those corps members who fought and still fighting Pandemic Dr. Chidera will be mention because he contributes immensely; he produces face mask anytime you need corps members in FCT is always there.

“So, when I was invited to commissioning of this project, I have to spare time to come because it’s not just the magnitude of this structure but the spirit behind it.

“I want to call on all the corps members to borrow a leaf from the character of Dr. Chidera to add value to those communities. NYSC always provides a platform to corps members and for those of them that are very serious and make maximum use of the opportunities the sky is always their limit. I once again congratulate Dr. Chidera and I wish you the best in life.”

He thanked the community forgiven the corps members an enabling environment for them to provide the project.

In her welcome address, NYSC FCT Coordinator Hajia Wlida Siddique Isa commended the donor adding that the project will further reduce open defecation in the community.

According to her, this brief even is in furtherance of our commitment to providing solution to societal issues and contributing our quota to community and national development

“We sincerely hope that this facility will go a long way in reducing the impact of open defecation within the Dakwa community and her offspring. I, therefore, enjoin the leaders and of course the youths of this community to ensure that this facility is properly and fully secured.”

Speaking at the venue, Dr. Chidera, a 2020 Batch A corps member, who provided the facility said that there was the need for other well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the community in providing other facilities that would give the community a facelift.

A kindhearted Youth Corps Member, Dr. Vincent Emmanuel Chidera Giving Brief of the Project.

According to him, I decided to solve the problems by building the toilet.

“My posting to serve in this community came with a great delight, and I had set my heart to touch as many lives as I could; the pandemic and stringent economic difficulties, notwithstanding. Few weeks into my posting, I had noticed a trend, which to me, was of epidemiological significance; A good number of all the under-5 children which I managed, presented with a similar set of GI symptoms and were weighing below the expected weight for their age and sex.

“This observation prompted the epidemiological survey that landed me in this compound the very first time I came here. I had seen over five other similar settlements around the community, where Almajiri children are housed but without a convenience.

“I was particularly drawn to this very one because of the population density; having 65 children between the ages of 5- 18, clustered in a 3- room 12x 12 apartments, without a convenience, was nothing less than suicide, so I thought.

“So, I decided that something urgent must be done before the next rainy season. Though the prevailing economic situation made things extremely difficult, but I’m glad, with the support of the children, we were able to put together, something a little more convenient than our gutters.

“Finally, 5 months ago, we had admitted and managed a 16year old Sickle Cell Disease patient, who was weighing less than 10kg and was in severe pains, pains which she had innocently suffered for over a decade because her parents were either unaware or choose to throw the knowledge to the abyss. After an interaction with over 50 patients, I realized, a good number of them knew what genotype was, but has never had one done.

“In partnership with my Place of Primary Assignment, we decided to run a free genotyping and blood grouping program for 1000 persons in the community over a period of two months. That project was completed successfully, but the result was mind-boggling. Almost 30% of the Sample population had the Sickle Cell Trait. By implication, 1 out of every 4 women in Dakwa, had the Sickle Cell trait and must not marry a man with the trait. These are pressing societal issues that must be given attention.”

While giving the vote of thanks, the Village Head of Dakwa community Alhaji Yahaya Ajiya, called on stakeholders to come into the community to upgrade the educational standard that will help the community at large.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

7 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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