IME ANWANA: SETTING THE PACE FOR NIGERIAN YOUTH

By Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri

Ime Anwana, a Batch "A" corps member,  posted to serve in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot in Niger State has demonstrated that the youth  have the capabilities to make significant contributions to the communities in which they live.On Nigeria's popular television network programme, the NTA Newsline, it was shown how the village of Kaffin Koro rolled out the drums to honour Miss Anwana for her work in the community. The District Head of the village, Alhaji Abubakar Mamman cowned her with the chieftaincy title, "Jekadiyan Kaffin Koro (Ambassador of Kaffin Koro)" and also gave her a piece of land in the village.

Even though the state (Niger State) is home to two extremely rich, former military rulers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar - the state remains under-developed, with majority of citizens living in abjectly poor conditions, and having limited access to basic services such as roads, housing, healthcare, potable water and so forth.

When Ime Anwana learned that a local girls' secondary secondary in the nearby village of Kaffin Koro had no chemistry teacher, she volunteered to teach the students chemistry every Friday evening - free of charge! Piqued by the deplorable hostel accommodations in the school, she took steps to bring positive change by mobilizing resources for the construction of an ultra- modern student hostel. In sum, she raised  a total of 3.8 million Naira and supervised the building construction to finish stage. In addition, the hostel was equipped with 40 double bunk beds complete with mattresses.

Not even the motorbike (Okada) accident that she had during one of her routine supervisory visits to the construction site could dampen her spirit and determination for change. The Okada rider she was riding with was killed, while she sustained life-threatening injuries, spending three weeks in a coma,  and bed-ridden for three months.  Still, Ime would not let her dream project die!

Through her action, millions of young people in Nigeria have been inspired to take action, and initiate specific hands-on projects they feel will make their communities a better place to live. She has also proved right the popular saying that today's youth are tomorrow's leaders!

You too can make a difference...