A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Joy Alkali, has empowered 1,102 women and students in Taraba State through vocational skills acquisition, literacy education and Computer-Based Test (CBT) training under her Community Development Service (CDS) project.
As part of the initiative, Alkali also donated school uniforms to 30 students of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, in Jalingo to support access to quality education.
The project, implemented through her Better Tomorrow Initiative, was inaugurated on Tuesday following a three-month “Learning to Read” literacy programme and a week-long vocational training in baking, pastry and confectionery.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Alkali said the initiative was designed to equip women and young people with practical, income-generating skills that would promote self-reliance, improve livelihoods and contribute to community development.
She explained that the project was inspired by her desire to make a meaningful impact in her host community beyond her primary assignment.
“Today is not just about celebrating the completion of a programme; it is about celebrating hope, empowerment and a better future for our community.
“We believe that when a woman is empowered, her family is strengthened, her community is transformed and the nation becomes better,” she said.
Alkali encouraged beneficiaries to put the knowledge and vocational skills they had acquired into productive use by establishing small businesses and passing on the knowledge to others within their communities.
She noted that the donation of school uniforms was intended to complement the education policy of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, by easing the financial burden on parents and encouraging school attendance among children.
The corps member also appreciated the contributions of sponsors, facilitators, volunteers and community leaders, describing their support as instrumental to the success of the Better Tomorrow Initiative.
According to her, the true measure of the project lies in the number of lives positively transformed through education and skills development.
The Taraba State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Ella Aji Williams, commended Alkali for executing a community-centred project that aligns with the objectives of the NYSC Community Development Service.
Represented by the Head of Community Development Service, Mr. Sunday Wankari, Williams also praised the management of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, and the Taraba State Government for providing a peaceful environment that enabled corps members to implement impactful projects.
The NYSC Local Government Inspector, Mr. Lafal Clement, described the initiative as a shining example of selfless service and urged other corps members to undertake projects that directly address the needs of their host communities.
“Let this be a reference point for service that truly touches lives,” he said.
The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Howai, Comrade Abubakar Sanusi, also expressed appreciation for the corps member’s interventions.
He said Alkali renovated classroom chalkboards, introduced reading support and CBT training, donated school uniforms and carried out several other projects that have significantly improved learning conditions and benefited students in the school.