NYSC CORPS MEMBER TRANSFORMS COMMUNITY NEEDS INTO LASTING IMPACT IN IDIKO-AGO The National Youth Service Corps Oyo State, has commended Corps Member Buliaminu Odunayo Kareemat with state code OY/26A/2327, for executing three impactful community development projects in Idiko-Ago, Iwajowa Local Government Area, addressing water scarcity, educational needs and women’s economic empowerment. The State Coordinator, Mr Kayode Ola Peters, who spoke through the Zonal Inspector, Ibarapa Zone, Mr Yinka Oguntola, urged residents to protect and sustain the projects, describing them as practical demonstrations of the transformative potential of the Scheme’s Community Development Service (CDS) programme. Serving at Community Grammar School, Idiko-Ago, Kareemat identified pressing community needs and translated them into meaningful interventions. She facilitated the provision of a community borehole to improve access to water, donated essential learning materials to 20 students and organised a two-day vocational training programme for 25 women in liquid soap production, entrepreneurship and income generation. The initiatives demonstrate her commitment to grassroots development by addressing immediate needs while creating opportunities for improved living conditions, educational participation and economic independence. The borehole is expected to ease residents’ difficulty in accessing water, while the educational support provides students with essential materials, including exercise books, writing materials and socks. Meanwhile, the vocational training equipped participating women with practical skills to explore small-scale businesses, generate income and strengthen their households’ financial wellbeing. Receiving the projects on behalf of the community, the Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, Hon. Sunday Ogundare, expressed appreciation to the NYSC and the Corps Member for their contributions to the community’s development. The event attracted educational and traditional leaders, including Mr Afolabi, Vice Principal; representatives of the Onidiko of Idiko-Ago, HRM Oba Joseph Tewogbola Oyediran; Chief Mufutau Oluwale, Ododiko of Idiko-Ago; and Chief Ganiyu Muhideen, Asaba of Idiko-Ago. Also represented were the Bagigan of Ilaji-Ile, HRM Oba Lawal Oyedepo Oyeleye; Chief Sunday Ojelere, Osi Ago of Ilaji-Ile; and Mrs Lawal Khadijat Oyedepo, Queen of Ilaji-Ile. The State Coordinator also acknowledged the contributions of the Assistant Director, Community Development Service, Mr Olatunji Adeniyi, and the Local Government Inspector, Mr Ashifat Afeez, whose support facilitated the implementation of the projects. In his closing remarks, the State Coordinator, Mr Kayode Ola Peters, commended Kareemat for her initiative, dedication and commitment to improving the welfare of her host community. He reiterated the NYSC’s commitment to promoting sustainable grassroots development through its CDS programme and urged residents of Idiko-Ago to take ownership of the projects by ensuring their proper maintenance and continued use. He encouraged Corps Members to embrace community service as an opportunity to leave meaningful legacies, stressing that the true measure of national service lies not only in fulfilling an obligation but also in making a lasting, positive difference in people’s lives.