Date: 2013-06-01

Mr. Okoye Francis Chidozie hails from Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. A Graduate of Electrical Electronics Engineering, Anambra State University Uli;  he was posted to OFFA Grammar School, OFFA Kwara State for his Compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Program. 

But piqued by the absence of some social facilities and the passion to be outstanding and truly fulfil the fundamental purpose of his service year, he decided to write his name in gold and leave his footprints in the sands of time with laudable CDS Projects which had direct impact on the entire community.

For instance  he single-handedly constructed a Motorized BoreHole, renovated the NYSC Building, constructed a Directional Bill Board and also an Executive Peacock Bird (Okin bird) at Owode market Traffic Junction, which is seen as the symbol and Pride of Offa Kingdom, etc.

On the circumstance that prompted him to embark on these projects, Okoye said: “Since the time immemorial, Owode Market traders have suffered serious pains because of Lack of water. The Borehole Constructed by the Federal and Local Government inside the market has stopped working for a very long time. He described to Construct the Motorized BoreHole because he want to prevent market traders, women and children from drinking the available “Water Well” inside the Market, which poses a lot of health challenges due to impurities.

 “I never believed I can achieve a Project as big as this, because I don’t have a Rich Father, Friends or Uncle who can support in issues of this magnitude. My Dad is a Retired Head-Master and my Mum, a Civil Servant at State Level. My NYSC Allowance is not even enough to pay my bills, and Meeting Sponsors in Offa has been a very difficult task. In-fact, it’s only God that has made this Project possible.

 “Home is a place of comport and a place where strategic plans are made. As Corps Members, we can’t keep advocating for development and Change in our host community when our home is not in order. The building (NYSC Secretariat) is out of comfort. The Rooms, Zinc, Toilet, Doors and Windows needs total Rehabilitation and Renovation. My taking up this Project is to provide enabling environment for Corps Member and NYSC Officers in Offa to carryout their duties effectively. After the Renovation, I Hoisted Nigeria and NYSC Flag and Elected a Parade Basement.

 “The need for Directional Bill Board to complement and promote the efficiency of this great market (Owode market) was also seen as another challenge by the market traders”. Embanking on this project was another beautiful thing that happened in my life, during my service year, and I will forever remain grateful to God, for this Privilege given to me through NYSC.”

On Peacock Construction, he said, “Culture, is people’s way of life. In Offa, the Peacock Bird is seen as the pride and symbol of Offa land, and as such, constructing this bird at a strategic point, will further promote its cultural essence in Offa. I took up this Project because I have come to believe in the culture and beauty of Offa Land.

On Donation of 100 pieces of Treated Mosquito nets, he said: As the President of MDG CDS Group; This Project is in line with MDG Goal 6: “Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other disease”. Having lived here for months, I realized that Mosquitoes breed heavily here, I was able to cope with the help of treated Mosquito Nets, I looked at those leaving in mud and thatched houses and wondered how they were coping. In that effect, I embarked on the search for treated mosquito nets which I distributed to One Hundred House Hold in GBOSUN/OGBONDOKO COMMUNITY, OFFA.

Those present at the Commissioning of the various projects were full of praises to the 25-Year-old Corper because he has demonstrated that even amid a generation that is selfish, greedy with common trait of a Me-First attitude, there are some individual who may not occupy any political or economic office but determined to make use of their personal resources to put smiles on the faces of people they encounter or even people in any environment they find themselves. Such may not be born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but an innate quality to impact positively on the lives of people coupled with determination and focus that drives them on.

More to this, due to his passion to help the Less Privileged Ones in the Community, he Donated 2000 writing materials to six selected Primary Schools in Offa, Donated one hundred Pairs of school sandals to five selected primary schools in Offa and Donated 100 WAEC Recommended Novels (blind trust) and 100 Pens to 100 SS1 students in OGS (His PPA) that Performed Excellently (85 above) in the computer studies examination he taught in seven classes. On these Projects he said, “This Projects is in line with MDG Goal 2, which target is to ensure that by 2015, children everywhere will be able to complete a full course of Primary Schooling everywhere. My aim of taken up this Project is to Support and Encourage Less Privileged Primary school children in achieving Universal Primary Education.

On how he Organized ‘On Air’ Quiz Competition for Corpers, Mr. Francis said “I embarked on this Project in collaboration with Offa Local Govt. Inspector and Okin FM Radio Station OFFA, to Promote the Value and Objective of NYSC in Offa and Kwara State at large, by asking the contestants questions about NYSC Scheme. After the Competition, the winners where presented with an Award of honour.

 Francis also enumerated 100 families in Offa LGA, through MDG United Nations “My World Global Survey” and Trained Less Privileged Mothers in Offa on Skills Acquisition, on how to Bake Cake, Chin-Chin, Donut, Fish Roll, Egg Roll, Meat Pea & Buns; and Empowered them with Coal Pot, Baking Flower and a Bottle of Vegetable Oil.

 “This Projects is in line with MDG Goal 1, which target is to Halve between 1990 and 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger and Poverty”, he said, adding:  “My aim of taking up this project is to train and Empower Less Privileged Mothers On skills Acquisition. By the Special Grace of God the aim of this Project was actualized and the mothers are now in the field exhibiting the skills they acquired from the training and with the help of my little empowerment, they where able to start up a small scale business.

In a chat with newsmen, Okoye appreciated his Sponsors, Contributors and Advisers. Alh. Tajudeen Owoyemi, Alh. Asisi Bukoye, Mrs. Adesoye, Justice Adegbite, Chief Ayotunde Raji, Mr. Kola Oyawoye, Dr Tunji Olagunju, Barr. Wahab Shetti, Alh. Lola Ashiru, Mr. R.O Olagunju, OFFA Descendant Union (ODU), The Sole Administrator OFFA LGA, Igbo Community Association, Anambra Progressive Association, Members and Youths of Secret Heart Church Ijagbo & St Cyprian Parish Offa, Management and Staff of OKIN FM Radio Station, Rv. Father Pendo Lawani, Rv. Father Raphael, Rv. Father Chris Adebiye, Bro. Samuel Ezeh and Sis. Chinwe.

He also appreciated the people that guided and directed him all through his stay in Kwara State. In his words, “They made me feel at home even when am not home”. He is so grateful to the Management and Staff of NYSC Secretariat Ilorin, most especially, His Platoon Officer- Pastor Olodude H.O; OFFA Local Government Assistant Inspectors- Mr. Ajikobi and Mrs. Aremu F.O; OFFA Local Government Inspector- Mrs. Oyinloye J.G; CDS MDG Schedule Officer- Mrs. Alabi; Zonal Inspector (Daddy) - Mr. Owolabi; Camp Director- Miss. R.K Alabi; HOD SAED- Mr. Olugbodi; and most especially, the Big MAMA, the NYSC State Coordinator- Ezinne Ngozi Angela Miguel Ezekwe.

Finally, he remained indebted to his parents Chief and Mrs. Christopher Okoye, His Siblings Ebele Okoye, Nkeiruka Okoye, Somtochukwu Okoye and Ogechukwu Okoye for their endless Love, Prayers and Encouragement.”

His contributions have already begun to yield appreciation from the community. Fr instance he has secured an Award of Excellency and a Cash Reward of N50, 000 from  OFFA Local Government, Recommendation Letters from OFFA Descendant Union, His Royal Majesty, the Olofa of Offa, Owode Market Traders Association, OFFA Grammar School, Igbo Community Association Offa and OFFA Local Government Secretariat as well as Commendations, from Community Leaders, Government Agencies, Corporate Organizations around and Officials of the NYSC.