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General News of Thursday, 4 March 2021

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Stomach disorder inspires corps member to renovate toilets in Anambra school

Some NYSC members Some NYSC members

It was the late Isaac Durojaiye who coined the expression “shit business is serious business”, when he initiated the Dignified Mobile Toilets in 1992 to provide portable enclosed toilets for use outdoors in Nigeria.

As a corps member serving in Community Secondary School, Umuoamaku, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Adesola Oluwatoyin Bedewa experienced the import of this slogan the day she had a runny stomach and could not use the toilet in the school with dignity as it was in a bad shape.

That unfortunate experience however turned out for good as it inspired the 2020 Batch A corps member to rehabilitate the toilets for the school.

She said: “I had only spent a few weeks at the school when I consumed something that I was reacting to, which led to my steady stooling.

“I was shocked to find out that the convenience was in a deplorable state. As a result of the near embarrassment, I decided I must undertake the project.”

The graduate of Surveying and Geoinformatics from the Federal University of Technology Akure said she raised N613,000 to construct five toilet rooms and two urinary sections from individuals and members of the community.

She said, “I meet people in person and I also place calls to some. I wrote a letter to the community head and they gave me permission to meet any indigene.

“Any individual I met, I present my letter to him or her stating what I want to do and seek help from them.”

The construction of new toilets excited both teachers and students of the school.

Oluwatoyin said the principal Mrs Egboo Chidimma also encouraged her.

Speaking during the inauguration of the toilets, the Anambra State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Kehinde Aremu praised Adesola for undertaking such a laudable project.

Aremu, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Community Development Service, Mrs Bernadette Nwokeke described corps members’ contributions to the development of their host community over the years as enormous.

He urged stakeholders to encourage corps members through donations of materials for the provision of felt needs of their host communities.

Responding, Chairman of the Local Government, Chief CY Okereke, represented by Anayo Ibekwe thanked on the benefactor for her determination in completing the project amidst hardship occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.