A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Momoh Ayuba Danjumah said he derives fulfilment from putting smiles on people’s faces.
Momoh, who hails from Ogodo area of Ajaokuta Local Government of Kogi State, made this known during the maiden edition of the National Museum of Unity essay competition for students of public secondary school in Enugu state.
The essay competition was organised by Momoh, who is currently serving at the National Museum of Unity, Enugu State.
Speaking on his dream for youths, Danjumah said he made it a choice to put smiles on the faces of young senior secondary school students after calling them out to visit the Museum and writing on the topic “National Museum of Unity, a Reflection of Our Heritage and History”.
“The students in their large numbers kicked start their tour exhibition to the Museum on 3 of October to 27 of October in learning about the galleries and the history present at the museum and later on writing on the topic.
“Forty-three students submitted their essay and ten of them became the finalists who went on a thorough training for two days at the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy, (WABMA) Enugu. The training spanned from cultivating the habit of reading culture, creative writing, and knowledge from the past,” he said.
Mr. Kevin Ejiofor, the Director-General of West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) and former Director-General of Radio Nigeria (FRCN) was present in the training,
He encouraged and gave advice to the young students to be up and doing.
“The youth are the future of the morrow, make hay while the sunshine. Never relent in your search for academic brilliance, continue aiming high by making yourself and your parents proud,” Ejiofo counseled.
Mr. Ken Ike Okorie, Director of Nigeria Broadcast Academy (NBA) said “don’t ever see yourself as inferior or allow low self-esteem running in your head but always embrace yourself with a positive vibe and hard work and always setting a pace for aiming higher, I know the sky is your starting point”.
The winner Miss Nwabueze Njideka Sarah of Girls High School, Uwani Enugu, who won a scholarship covering her WAEC fee, books, novels and pen said; “I am so much elated and at the same time amazed. I can’t believe I won this essay competition after so much discouragement from people. Thanks to corps member Momoh who made this a reality”.
Mr. Nwoye Victory of Boys High School, Uwani, after receiving his prize of a session school fee for being the first runner up, said “my zeal became so high after hearing the news from my teacher that I came second in the competition, I am happy and promise to always push for the best”.
Miss Nduka Ngozi, who came third. was equally elated. Other winners who were in the training and also received consolidation prizes include, two students from Army Day Secondary School Awkunanaw – Ikechukwu Chinedu and Nwokoye Chikamso – a student from New Layout Secondary School – Abdul Hameed Lamidi – two students from Technical College G.R.A – Ngigwe Chibueze and Simon Chiamaka Agneta – a student from Government Secondary School, Enugu – Obisi Emmanuel Chinonso and Okafor Chisom Charity of Girls High school, Uwani.
The convener of the essay competition, corps member Momoh Ayuba Danjumah said “giving back to the society has been a burning desire with me since my undergraduate days, putting smiles on people’s faces makes me fulfilled”.
“Public schools students are the future. It will amaze you to see the inbuilt talent these children exhibited during the essay competition. It is just a pity that the students are not been given any opportunities to showcase what they are been made up of. Only the children of the wealthy ones who happened to be in private schools always have a lot of this kind of opportunities, hence the need arises too for public schools to air their views and showcase their writing capabilities”.
The Head of Department of Library at National Museum of Unity, Enugu, Ms Okafor Princess said “I am so happy in being part of this journey when Mr. Momoh came to me discussing the plan at the office one certain day, I was amazed that young person in this country still has this in mind. I gave him all the needed supports he needed, and thank God today, it became a reality”.
Mr. Ibegwe Anthony, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) staff who is the Local Government Inspector (LGI) of Enugu North said “I am glad a corp member organized such a marvelous competition who did not only leave it for the government but trying to contribute his quota to the development of Enugu state deserved commendation. We will make sure that this act does not stop after Mr. Momoh’s passing out from NYSC, we will try our best to inculcate it to other corps members to see beauty and joy in extending their heartfelt services to the immediate society”.
The principal of Girls High School, Mrs. Ngwu Chinwe said; “at least I can beat my chest now that public schools can compete with other big private schools in Enugu state.”
She congratulated her students for making her proud and equally thanked to the convener, Mr. Momoh that made it possible.
