By; Joe Ephraim, Calabar
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Fater Aaron Iber, from Benue state, has donated 25 classroom desks worth nearly ₦1 million to Government Secondary School, Uwanse, Calabar.
The singular act had earned her commendations from senior government officials and community leaders in the state.
The project, executed under the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), was co-sponsored by Chief Moses Eyo, Councillor of Ward 12, and commissioned recently during an official visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Development, Dr. Julius Kijuo, KSJI.
Speaking during the commissioning, Dr. Kijuo described the project as “beyond imagination,” commending the corps member for identifying a critical challenge faced by the school and making personal sacrifices to address it.
“He told me he practically went on a hunger strike to achieve this. What Aaron has done is the true essence of NYSC — promoting unity and contributing to nation-building.
“If a corps member who earns less than ₦80,000 can do this, then it is a challenge to all public office holders to deliver beyond expectations, he said”.
Kijuo also praised Governor Bassey Edet Otu for the administration’s investment in renovating schools and creating conducive learning environments across the state.
Hon. Moses Eyo, councillor representing Ward 12, Calabar South said he was impressed that the corps member, who neither lives nor serves in the ward chose Government Secondary School, Uwanse, for his project.
“He had already completed about 70% of the project when he met me. I supported him financially because he chose my ward to serve. This has given me another opportunity to serve my people,” he stated.
He also affirmed ongoing efforts with SUBEB and the local government to address infrastructural gaps across schools in Calabar South.
Similarly, Hon. Cobham Williams, councillor of Ward 4 and Chairman of the House Committee on Education in Calabar South LGA, described the gesture as “rare and uncommon.”
“This project benefits not just Ward 12 but the entire LGA. We have students from various wards in this school.
He didn’t apply for funding from any agency; he spent his own money. Whatever support the government can give him will be well-deserved,” Williams added.
Explaining the motivation behind his gesture, Aaron said he was moved by the lack of adequate furniture when he arrived at the school for CDS activities.
“As a corps member, I was once a student. When I saw the discomfort the students were experiencing, I felt they were at a disadvantage. “I want them to have the opportunity to learn in a conducive environment and, one day, become corps members like me,” he said.
He emphasized that the gesture was purely an act of service, not for recognition, urging students to use the desks to excel academically.
The event was attended by HH Muri Francis Efa of Efut Uwanse along with his cabinet, NYSC officials, and students and staff from Government Secondary School Uwanse.
There were commendations for Aaron and calls for increased collaboration from individuals and organizations to enhance educational infrastructure.
