A wave of celebration swept through Bolari, Gombe State, as Shukurat Temitope Ibrahim, a corps member hailing from Kwara State, concluded her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year with a project that left an indelible mark on the community.
The grand closing ceremony, held on May 20, 2025, at Kamara Primary School, was a culmination of the Jewel Personal Community Development Project—an initiative anchored on educational support, youth empowerment, and civic engagement.
To wrap up her impactful year, Shukurat distributed 50 pairs of school sandals and 100 writing materials, split between Kamara Primary School and the Government Vocational Training Centre in Bolari East, directly benefiting both primary and secondary students.
A highlight of the event was the official launch of Jewel Bulletin, the first-ever NYSC bulletin published by a corps member in Gombe State. The publication details the project’s journey, including its challenges and triumphs.
NYSC Zonal Inspector, Mr. Dashiu Wasinda, applauded the project, describing it as a model example of the NYSC’s core values. He noted that what began as a toilet renovation plan evolved into the full construction of eight modern toilet units at each school, thanks to Shukurat’s advocacy. The Gombe State Community and Social Development Agency has since taken over and expanded the initiative.
Leaders of the beneficiary schools, including the vocational centre’s principal and Kamara Primary School’s headmaster, described her intervention as transformative, calling it “a legacy the community will cherish for years.”
Also in attendance was a representative from the Gombe Media Corporation, where Shukurat served during her NYSC year. He described her as “dedicated, disciplined, and impactful,” lauding her dual contributions to both the media sector and the wider community.
Gombe State’s Education Secretary, Mr. Abubakar Baba Abdullahi, praised the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with the state’s vision for grassroots educational development. He encouraged other corps members to adopt similarly proactive approaches to community service.
Shukurat credited her success to teamwork, recognizing her collaborators: Jonathan Joel, Ishaq Abdullahi, Amina Muhammad Gambari, Muhammed Oluwayomi Haroon, Obiajunwa Chimdinma, Ogwuche Christiana, Yusuph Ridwan, and Christianah Eneze, among others.
Throughout its run, the Jewel Project also hosted a stakeholder forum, a debate competition, awareness campaigns, tuition support, and educational outreach, all aimed at fostering a brighter future for children in Bolari.
In her closing remarks, an emotional Shukurat expressed heartfelt appreciation to God, her family, mentors, friends, NYSC officials, media allies, and government stakeholders across various ministries, including Information, Youth and Sports, and Finance.
“Gombe embraced me like its own. This land turned from unfamiliar to home, and this project became more than a mission—it became my calling,” she said.
As her NYSC chapter ends, Shukurat Temitope Ibrahim steps forward not just as a former corps member, but as a trailblazer and a shining example of what youth-led community action can achieve.
