A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, Joy Alkali, has empowered 1,102 women and students in Taraba State through vocational skills acquisition, literacy and Computer-Based Test training under her Better Tomorrow Initiative.
Alkali also donated school uniforms to 30 students of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, Jalingo, as part of the community development project inaugurated on Tuesday after three months of a “Learning to Read” literacy programme and a week-long training in baking, pastry and confectionery.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Alkali said the initiative was created to equip women and young people with practical, income-generating skills that would improve their livelihoods, promote self-reliance and contribute to community development.
She said: “Today is not just about celebrating the completion of a programme; it is about celebrating hope, empowerment and a better future for our community.”
She added: “We believe that when a woman is empowered, her family is strengthened, her community is transformed and the nation becomes better.”
Alkali urged beneficiaries to put the skills they acquired into productive use by establishing small businesses and mentoring others within their communities.
She said the donation of school uniforms was intended to complement the education policy of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas by reducing the financial burden on parents and encouraging school attendance.
The corps member also acknowledged the support of sponsors, facilitators, volunteers and community leaders, saying the success of the Better Tomorrow Initiative should be measured by the number of lives positively impacted.
Taraba State NYSC Coordinator, Mr Ella Aji Williams, commended Alkali for executing a community-focused project in line with the objectives of the NYSC Community Development Service.
Represented by the Head of Community Development Service, Mr Sunday Wankari, Williams also praised the management of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, and the Taraba State Government for providing a peaceful environment that enabled corps members to carry out impactful community projects.
The NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr Lafal Clement, described the initiative as a model of selfless service and urged other corps members to undertake projects that address the needs of their host communities.
“Let this be a reference point for service that truly touches lives,” Clement said.
The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, Comrade Abubakar Sanusi, thanked Alkali for her intervention, describing it as one that addressed critical needs within the school.
Sanusi said the corps member renovated classroom chalkboards, introduced reading support and CBT training, donated school uniforms and carried out other interventions that had significantly benefited students.
