In a powerful demonstration of alumni commitment and community-driven development, the Old Students’ Association of Community Comprehensive High School, Ikaram-Akoko, has constructed and donated a fully-equipped residential lodge, valued at N40 million, for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to the area. This significant investment addresses a critical infrastructure gap, aiming to improve the welfare and effectiveness of the young graduates serving the community.
The inauguration ceremony, held on the school premises, brought together government officials, alumni, and community leaders. The project transcends a simple building donation; it represents a strategic intervention in the local ecosystem. By providing secure and dedicated accommodation, the alumni directly tackle a major challenge often faced by corps members in rural postings—poor living conditions—which can negatively impact their service year and their willingness to contribute fully to their host communities.
Mr. Oyetunde Ojo, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority and a keynote speaker at the event, praised the alumni’s initiative as a model of civic responsibility. “I commend you for giving back to your school,” Ojo stated, linking the act to broader national development. He also seized the moment to address a pressing local concern, assuring residents that the bad portion of the Arigidi–Ikaram road had been flagged for repair, and urged support for the federal administration’s policies.
The state government, represented by Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, echoed the commendation. The gesture aligns with government efforts to strengthen education through partnerships, highlighting a growing trend where alumni associations are becoming essential stakeholders in supplementing public infrastructure, from classrooms to staff quarters.
The project’s funding story is particularly noteworthy. Association President, Mr. Festus Dada, emphasized that the lodge was “fully sponsored by us, the members, no external funding.” This detail underscores a potent model for development: collective will and pooled resources from successful former students can yield tangible, high-impact projects. Dada’s call for continued unity signals the association’s ambition to undertake further interventions for their alma mater.
For the NYSC scheme, represented by State Coordinator Mrs. Omowunmi Bakare, the donation is a major boost. She described it as “impactful,” while also advocating for better stipends and welfare for corps members nationwide. The lodge ensures that posted youth corpers can live safely and comfortably, potentially increasing their productivity in community development service (CDS) roles, such as teaching, healthcare advocacy, and infrastructure projects within Ikaram-Akoko.
Looking ahead, the sustainability of the project was a key theme. Former association president Mr. Olurotimi Daudu urged beneficiaries to maintain the facility, a common plea for community-donated projects. The Community Development Service coordinator, Mr. Gabriel Ogunsakin, pledged judicious use of the lodge, ensuring the alumni’s investment yields long-term benefits for both the corps members and the community they serve.
This project serves as a compelling case study in how organized alumni networks can directly address local needs, foster public-private-community partnerships, and create a more conducive environment for national service, ultimately strengthening the social fabric from the ground up.
