It was a moment of excitement at Dumagi, a sleepy community in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State recently when Dumagi Youth Development Association donated facilities worth millions of naira to basic schools and medical centre in the community.
The affected schools and medical centre have had to contend with the lack of the facilities over a long period of time, thus banking on the hope that there would be light at the end of tunnel.
Teaching staff and workers of both schools and hospital, which benefitted from the gesture, could not hide their feelings during the handing over of the facilities at an event held in the community.
Out of 200 chairs and tables constructed for distribution, each of the four benefiting primary schools got 50 of the facilities aimed at ensuring seamless and conducive learning in the selected schools.
The Herald reports that each of the basic schools also received five cartons of chalk and as well as 500 bundles of customized exercise books for the use of the pupils.
Schools that got the facilities include Dumagi Central Primary School, Usmanko Primary School, Legbodza Primary School, and Bata/Kinti Community Junior Secondary Schools Dumagi.
Two doors and four windows were also donated to one of the schools, Legbodza primary school, for the purpose of security and safety of pupils while learning in the schools. Prior to the intervention, the school was said to be in dire need of the facilities to avert the imminent collapse of its infrastructure.
The youth development group also provided a refrigerator to Maternity and Dispensary, Dumagi for storage and preservation of medicine that would be administered on prospective patients in the medical centre.
At the ceremony that had in attendance eminent personalities within and outside Dumagi community, the donor was commended for taking the bull by the horns in addressing the lack of facilities in the affected schools and hospital.
Heads of schools and medical centre heaped praised on the association for mobilizing fund and for procuring the items donated, saying that the facilities would aid learning and provide comfort for pupils.
Speaking at the event, the President, Dumagi Youth Development Association, Jibril Husseini, said the facilities were provided to the schools and medical centre as part of efforts to address the critical needs of the beneficiaries.
Husseini noted that the association realized that government cannot solely make available the facilities and attend to the needs of communities, hence its resolve to offer the support.
He expressed gratitude to those, he said, generously contributed to the cause.
The Dumagi Youth Development Association president thanked Secretary to the state government, Professor Mamman Saba Jibril, Alhaji Mohammed Gana Etsunu, Alamaskaka, Hon. Saba Gideon, Hajiya Shonga, Hon. Ahmed Adamu Saba; All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Edu local government area, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu and his members of executive who, he pointed out, tirelessly served as his backbone.
He applauded them for their support, dedication, and contributions that made the project a success, adding that the association would not relent but do more in the nearest future.
“Today, we have gathered to witness the flag off of our first project for the year 2024. By the grace of Allah, we are proud to donate a total of 200 tables and chairs to benefit the students of Dumagi Central Primary School, Usmanko Primary School, Legbodza Primary School, and our Junior Secondary Schools. Each school will receive 50 chairs and tables.
“Additionally, we are providing five cartons of chalk to each school and 500 bundles of customized exercise books to be shared among all the students. Our aim is for each student to have at least one copy.
“In our efforts to improve infrastructure, we have identified a pressing need at Legbodza Primary School. Currently, there are no doors or windows provided. Therefore, we will be donating 2 doors and 4 windows to ensure the safety and security of the students.
“Recognizing the critical importance of healthcare, we have also discovered that our local hospital lacks a fridge to store vital medications that require refrigeration. Today, we are pleased to donate a 150-liter fridge to the hospital, which will greatly assist in storing these essential injections”, Husseini said.
The association’s President hailed the incumbent Kpafyen of Dumagi, Alhaji Jibril Mohammed (Kpafyen Madu), for gracing the ceremony, just as he prayed for the repose of the soul of late Kpafyen of Dumagi, Kpafyen Haruna, identifying him as main pillar of the association until his demise.
The Kpafyen of Dumagi, Alhaji Jibril Mohammed, praised the leadership and members of the association for the provision of the facilities, saying that they would go along way to assist the schools that received them.
Those who attended the event include Education Secretary of Edu Local Government Area, Hon. Abdullahi Ladan; Edu APC Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Kudu; Chief Imam of Dumagi, Mallam Kadiri from Shonga Health Supervisor, patrons of the association, School Headmasters, Principals from both Junior and Senior Secondary Schools.
END.
