The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commissioned a multi-million naira block of 2-bedroom semi-detached bungalows for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members through its Secondary Education Board (SEB).
The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja, built and furnished the structure.
The facility, which is fully funded by PTA charges of N3,000 per term, is an intervention project designed to help meet the housing needs of Corps members who will be assigned to serve in the school.
Speaking during the Commissioning ceremony inside the school premises, SEB’s Director/Secretary, Dr. Mohamed Ladan said “The lodge is well equipped with modern facilities as an abode to pave the way for a comfortable and secured environment for Corps members, to enhance their productivity in the school.”
Ladan described the lodge as a symbol of unity that will foster a sense of togetherness and cooperation among all
stakeholders.
He said that “the PTA involvement in the project is an embodiment of their unwavering dedication to enhancing the educational experience and supporting the larger community.”
Ladan said; “It will solve the problem of accommodation for NYSC members posted to the school, so we appreciate the PTA. And since last week, I have been going from one school to the other, commissioning intervention projects donated by PTA of different schools.”
He further said that the facility is one out of many that are coming to help improve the learning environment, as the Board is encouraging principals to do more through the PTA, as government alone cannot do it.
Ladan advised those who are going to use the facility, to ensure that they utilise and put it to good use and maintain it while giving the students the best during their primary assignments.
The NYSC FCT Coordinator, Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka, represented the NYSC Director-General, Brig. General Yusha’u Ahmed, noted that the NYSC places a premium on the welfare and security of Corps members wherever they are located.
On his part, the school PTA Chairman, John Okolo disclosed that the project was conceived in early 2022, and the groundbreaking ceremony was done in March 2023.
He said; “For the building and furnishing of the edifice, we shanked at least 17 million Naira plus, strictly through PTA charges of N3,000 per term.
“With the little token of N3,000 (PTA charges), grace, and fear of God we were able to get this done. And we are ready to do more if the chance is given, knowing fully well the state of our noble nation.”
The school principal, Mr. Victor Orifah said the facility was conceived considering the manpower gap the school was facing in the area of teaching staff and the critical role the corp members can play in closing this gap.
Noting that lack of accommodation for those posted to the school has in the past made it difficult to retain corp members.
The Principal implored the NYSC to post Corps members in areas of the school’s needs, believing that the facility would impact positively the tone of the entire school.
“The PTA of this school has been very proactive in the sense that this project being commissioned today is only an addition to the many interventions of the PTA, which includes the regular payment of the salaries of staff on the payroll of the PTA,” he stated.
