The crème de la crème in Nawfia in Njikoka
Local Government Area of Anambra State,
including the traditional ruler of the community,
HRH Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, Osuofia II of
Nawfia, and indeed, personalities from the
neighbouring communities of Abagana,
Umuokpu, Abba, Nimo, Amawbia, and others
stormed the premises of Comprehensive
Secondary School, Nawfia, during the
commissioning of the massive projects executed
in the school by a Batch C corps member who
just finished his national service in the area.
Mr Lawal Olabode Emmanuel Prince executed over
50 capital intensive community development (CDS)
projects in the school, and beyond. The CDS
projects are: Construction and equipping of a clinic
for the school with 5-bed space to serve the
students, and staffs’ health needs, donation of a
fumigation machine to the school, moulding of a
clay cooker for the school’s hostel, donation of 30
flutes to the school chapel, donation of Nigerian
map drawing on wall paper to Geography students,
donation of 6 by 4 feet bookshelf to the school
library, donation of wild animal paper work to Basic
Science students to aid learning, donation of
learning aid wall paper to computer laboratory,
donation of a wall paper showing the diagram of
the skeletal system, nervous system, and cell to the
biology laboratory as instructional material with
which to teach students of Biology, hosting of
Njikoka Local Government Science Quiz competition
where he gave out 12 medals and scholarship
worth N45, 000 to 1st-3rd winners, donation of a
signboard to the school, donation of two wall
frames with school’s vision and mission statement
inscribed on it.
Others are: donation of 4 pairs of new drum to the
band boys, leadership training for the school
prefects, donation of 25 laboratory coats to science
students, painting of the volley ball and football
goal-posts, establishment of a music class to train
students on flute playing, installation of the school
sign board, donation of 8-feet by 4-feet noticeboard
to the school publicity department, leadership and
academic excellence training for the senior
secondary classes, free cosmetology training for the
students (liquid soap, airfresher, disinfectant,
germicide and perfume-making), campaign for a
new Nigeria among students, training of the school
Boys’ Brigade band for outings, establishment of
millennium development goals (MDGs) group of 52
students from the junior secondary classes,
presentation of globacom shirt and face cap to the
Principal of Comprehensive Secondary School,
Nawfia, to congratulate him for the victory of the
school in the local government quiz competition he
organized.
The list is inexhaustible and they include giving of
academic scholarship to one of the widower’s son
in SS1A, sensitization of students at Comprehensive
Secondary School, Nawfia, on the need to make
reading a culture to ensure good academic
performance, hoisting of the new national flag at
Comprehensive Secondary School, Nawfia, first aid
treatment for students, training of students on zobo
making, organising of sex education seminar
among students, health education workshop
among senior secondary students, presentation of
award to the best student in Biology (Eze Biology or
“King of Biology”), presentation of award to the best
student in science department (Eze Science),
inauguration of quiz, debate and spelling bees club
called free life ambassadors with 3 winning credits
since inception, sensitization on the importance of
the national youth service, training of the school
team for match-past competitions, donation of wall
paper to the chemistry laboratory as teaching aid,
initiating the on-going construction of the basketball
court by the CCC construction Nig. LTD (he was able
to secure 12 tippers of sand to fill up the site) and
made 30 minutes video which he titled “Freshers
Kit” meant to be given as a welcome pack to all the
new intake of the school. The video summarizes
what the school is made of in terms of facilities
available.
He also donated 5 waste bin baskets as part of his
initiative called Operation Keep Compee Clean
(OKCC), and renovated the school’s roundabout,
and numerous others.
In his speech, the Principal of the school, Mr
Okechukwu Emmanuel, commended the corps
member saying he had done what others in the
past could not do. He noted that Lawal was a man
of his words, hence his bestowment with the
chieftaincy title.
Hear him: “LAWAL remains the best corps member
in the history of the school, he has done what no
other corps member could do. The school in
conjunction with Nawfia community gave him an
Igbo Title called Okaaobuluzo 1 Na Nawfia
Comprehensive, meaning ‘a man that will say a
thing, and will be the first to do it.’ LAWAL never
went on holidays; he worked Monday to Sunday.
Because the school has a boarding school even till
8pm you will still see him within the school
premises. He transformed virtually every
department in the school. To mention a few, He
gave the school a modern clinic, empowered
students and staff of over 1000 population in
cosmetology, gave full scholarship worth 50,000
naira to students, equipped the school band,
bought a fumigating machine, and he fumigated
the school hostel to fight against malaria, and
infections which is part of Millennium Development
Goals.
He loves his country, and I will recommend him for
a National Award. He has a quality home training as
he respected the school authority, and the students.
He is energetic, passionate, God fearing, and very
intelligent. He is a genius, and a blessing to Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of the
community, HRH Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, Osuofia II
of Nawfia, who was represented by one of his aides,
noted that the youth corps member used his
youthful vigour to affect the lives of his subjects
positively, stressing that the mark he has made in
the community will never be erased from the sands
of time.
His words: “Lawal’s presence in Nawfia Village was
felt by both young and old. His love for community
development is amazing. He did everything possible
to leave a landmark that people of my community
will never forget; he was able to fulfill the reasons
for the establishment of the NYSC. Within one year,
he worked tirelessly to give the community a
befitting clinic equipped by him, not to mention the
empowerment programmes he did for our youths,
and over 60 other community development
projects. I will beckon on the choice committee for
national awards to come inspect the projects Lawal
did. His impact on health should be rewarded with
a national award. Lawal has portrayed that youths
have a role to play in building this nation.”
SCHOLARSHIPS and COMPETITIONS
Apart from the projects he executed, Lawal
Olabode Emmanuel Prince also gave out
scholarship awards to some indigent students in
CSS, Nawfia including a son of a widower who is in
SS1A. Because of his quest for academic excellence
he hosted the maiden edition of the Local
Governement Science Quiz Competition involving
about 15 Schools in the L.G.A, which the winners
were presented with 4 gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze
medals including academic scholarships worth
N50,000. Names of the students that benefited from
the scholarship are: Alagbu Valentine, Okaoforadi
Cosmos, Nwobu Valentine, Okekaru Luke, Ikeaba
Chigozie, Nwanoche Emmanuel, Ojiugo JohnPaul,
Odoh Tochukwu, Okonkwo Francess, Oforah
Esther, Agu Petrus and Ebuka Peters.
To this end, the deputy director in the Anambra
State Post Primary Schools Service Commission, Mr
Umerie Anthony said the corps member “should be
recognized for his immense contribution to
educational development in Anambra State during
his youth service. He single-handedly organized a
science quiz competition that brought 15 secondary
schools together in Njikoka Local Government Area
in Anambra State, and for the first time a corps
member gave 12 medals to 1-3rd position with
academic scholarship worth 50, 000 thousand
naira. He organized leadership training for all the
school prefects in Njikoka, and also did
sensitization, resurrecting good reading culture
among students. This is one of the goals of the
Millennium Development Goals. Appropriate
authorities should scavenge for young talent like
LAWAL that this country is blessed with; I love his
concept and am sure it will encourage other
students to sit up tight.”
Meanwhile, Mr Peter whose son is a beneficiary of
Lawal’s scholarship recalled that “my son Ebuka was
one of those that benefited from Lawal’s
scholarship programme. Since the time I lost my
wife, paying my children’s school fees has not been
easy. I thank God for Corper Lawal who came to my
rescue, and prevented my son from being sent out
of school last term. He was able to pay my son’s
school fees, and bought him textbooks to help his
academics. I pray God to bless him.”
CONTRIBUTION OF THE OLD BOYS
The staff and students of the school regretted
bitterly that the old boys of the school have
abandoned it. The school has been able to produce
important personalities in the country, some of who
are in the presidency. They said it was “a shameful
thing that the old boys of this school have
abandoned it. We hear how some of them do
charity works for some other schools but this one
they passed through its walls is in this condition. It is
good that a corps member is doing what they
should have done, at least, giving back to the school
that made them.”
SPONSORS
In his speech, Mr Lawal Olabode Emmanuel Prince
said he was motivated to embark on the projects
aggressively because of his passion to make
changes wherever he finds himself, noting that the
love and support he received from the staff,
students, and people of Nawfia were instrumental
to his success during his service year.
He however thanked companies and individuals
who sponsored him, including: Indomine Noodles,
Hypo, Dozetephan Group of companies, Globacom
Telecommunications, Georgie Pharmacy, Awka,
Joez Pharmacy, Awka, Jabez Arts Prints and
Publicity, Onitsha, NK Fashion and Designing,
Abagana, Dr Onwuhaluagu Oliver (Chief Medical
Director, Zion Hospital Enugwu-Ukwu, HRH Igwe
Chijioke Nwankwo, Osuofia II, Mr Okechukwu
Emmanuel, NAWFIA, NTA Channel 5 Awka, Mr
Gabriel Okonkwo, Nawfia, Lady Oby Nwafor, Nawfia,
St Micheal’s Anglican Church Nawfia, St Paul’s
Anglican Church, Umuokpu, and other people from
the community.

SOURCE: www.sunnewsonline.com/new/specials/nysc-member-bags-chieftaincy-title-community-service/