National Service
Oluwadamilola
Olusola has lived up to the calling of the national youth service. The
25-year-old corps member in Ogun State on her own steam renovated the
children’s ward at the State Hospital, Abeokuta, as part of her
community development contribution.
Olusola is not a
doctor or an architect but a lawyer who graduated from the University
of Lagos. On a visit to the State Hospital the sad conditions prompted
her to do something about it.
“I just wanted to
do something to influence the community, so I embarked on this project
to renovate the children’s ward at least to make the ward conducive for
the sick children.”
Olusola spent her
service year that ran from November 2009 giving the children’s ward in
a makeover. New paint, mattresses, bedding, mosquito nets ceiling fans
and electrical fixtures and notice board were some of the standard
features she brought in as well as other touches to make the ambiance
more pleasant for the young patients.
Ms Olusola’s
story of how she raised the money for this project is a lesson in
enterprise and resourcefulness, no contract padding no obstacles to
“settle”. She made her appeals on the basis of charity but also
displayed a most democratic approach to raising the necessary funds
went to those who should have had more than passing interest in the
subject she had set her heart on. Both church and state were happy to
contribute to this laudable cause.
“I generated the
funds from corporate bodies and individuals like the state Commissioner
for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Justice, Permanent Secretary of Local Government and
Chieftaincy Affairs, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment,
Permanent Secretary Bureau of Cabinet and the Redeemed Christian Church
of God, Soul Winners Chapel, Lagos state and the Attorney General of
Ogun State also donated generously.”
The project took
ten weeks from idea to completion, which also included getting approval
for the National Youth Service Commission. The launching was a happy
occasion featuring Oyin Sodipo permanent secretary, in the Ministry of
health, representing the state commissioner who expressed her pleasure
with what she called an example of individuals complementing the
efforts of government and indicated that more of such activity would be
greatly welcomed.
When Olusola who
works at the Ogun State ministry of Justice was asked if she would like
to build a children’s home on day she gave this answer:
“I am a lawyer,
it is not likely that I will build a children’s home but what I hope to
do, is to continue with this ward renovation yearly and if possible
moving from here to other state hospitals. I believe that by doing
things like this, other people might see it, and do something of such
in the future to help others in need.”
What a complete
package in this example of young Nigerian enterprise: initiate,
independently finance complete and maintain with a plan for progressive
future expansion. What a contrast to the government: “Government cannot
do everything on its own,” the permanent secretary, Oyin Sodipo. Truth
is that the government can certainly do far more than it does to
provide the basics of a health care delivery system.
But with people like Oluwadamilola Olusola there is hope for Nigeria.
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