By Onyeje Abutu-Joel
A serving corp member of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) in Benue, Mr Silas Okolie has donated two desktop computers and a system unit to Padopads Harmony Secondary School, Makurdi.
The donation which was made on Thursday in Makurdi as part of Okolie’s Community Development Service (CDS) also included a white projection flex banner.
Speaking at the occasion, Okolie said his gesture was to complement government efforts towards revamping education system across the nation and enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the beneficiary school.
“My aim is to assist our young stars to have the basic learning equipment to excel in their academic pursuits.
“I believe that to address the problem of education in the state, we have to first identify the issues and profer solution to them and that is why I feel the students need computers taking into cognizance the importance of digital literacy in today’s contemporary world”, Okolie said.
He thanked Mr Caius Eze, Founder of Elite Leadership Foundation and Mr John Wallace for their massive supports which enabled him to succeed in the project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to the donation, the corps member had organised Digital Literacy Training Program in the school and awarded certificates of participation to the beneficiaries.
NAN further reports that he also facilitated payment of NECO fees of N232,000 to six indigenous Benue students at Padopads Harmony School, Makurdi and Alex Gaadi Comprehensive School, Makurdi.
The NYSC Benue Coordinator, Mrs Veronica Garba commended the corps member for the community service projects embarked upon, describing the donation as a worthy initiative.
Garba said that the community development service platform has been made available for the corps members to impact positively in their host communities, urging other corps members to emulate Okolie.
Also speaking, Mrs Regina Ahura, the Principal of Padopads Harmony Secondary School appreciated Okolie for the kind gesture.
Ahura praised the initiative, recounting the positive impact the digital training had on her students.
She also informed the corps member that those who benefited from the NECO Scholarship participated actively in the external examination.
