Kogi NYSC Member cleans up Flood-affected community »

A serving National Youth Service Corp Member in Kogi State, Nicholas Ikinwot, led other corp members and volunteers in partnership with the ministry of environment to clean up a flood-affected community in Lokoja.

Nicholas Ikinwot who hails from Akwa Ibom state and a graduate of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), serving in lokoja in a bid to give back to society partnered with other agencies and Corps members to ensure that Aguwan Kura community is totally cleaned up for livelihood to be restored following the effect of the ravaging flood that has hit Nigeria recently.

The 25-year-old Corps Member noted that the government should make provision for a larger waste bin as well as smaller ones around the community particularly Old market located strategically at the centre of the community to help ensure the cleanliness of the environment.

Nicholas while speaking, stated that he was moved by the groaning of residents in the community as a result of the flood and the heap of dirt from the market that had been abandoned for weeks because of the flood.

Nicholas Said: “Given the flow of dirt into Aguwan Kura community from the river banks as an effect of the ravaging flood and the careless disposal of refuge by commuters and local traders, the environs of old market particularly Aguwan Kurah community required an immediate cleanup and could not help but to assist in championing the course of its cleanup, especially with the importance of the market to residents of Lokoja and other neighbouring communities”.

“It’s one thing to clean up an environment; it’s quite another for residents to understand and maintain the new state, which is why I initiated the sensitization exercise alongside the cleanup exercise to ensure that the new state of the environment is maintained.”.

Nicholas Ikinwot therefore collaborated with the host community to enact laws that will help reduce the occurrence of careless waste disposal, as well as sanitation groups formed to assist in the daily cleanup.

Nicholas Speaking further thanked corp members, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Kogi State and the host community for their support and contributions in ensuring that the community has been cleared of all the dirt from the river banks and refuges around the market that had polluted the area.

Responding on behalf of the Chief of the community, chief Okala, noted that words won’t be enough to express their joy for the assistance of the corp member in championing the cleanup of their community.

“We never expected help to come from corps members”, but as they have decided to assist us to clean up our environment I can promise that with the groups we have on ground and the laws coupled with the sensitization, we will ensure that the community especially the market will be kept clean daily.”

“As you have decided to come and clean our environment may God Almighty continue to bless and keep you all,” he said.

Mallam Hamisu, the Chairman of Old Market, thanked the corp member for championing the course of the exercise, particularly for sensitizing traders and residents on the proper way to go about cleaning up their spaces and preserving perishable food items. He therefore prayed God to bless the corp member and other volunteers who helped with the cleanup.