Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Francis Chiamobi Owums, a National Youth Service Corps member who empowered 150 jobless youths and indigent widows during his service year in Abia, has been honoured with Excellent Service Award by Gov. Alex Otti.
Owums, a native of Umualumaku, Ehime Mbano, in Imo State, had during his service year in 2024, sponsored 150 jobless youths and indigent widows in Umuahia North where he served, in skills acquisition, and later empowered 10 most indigent ones among them with N1 million grant.
The traditional ruler of Umuawa Alaocha Community, HRH Eze Godswil Asumugha, where some of the beneficiaries hail from, had earlier before the end of Owums service year, decorated him with a chieftaincy title of ‘Olu aka Chukwu’ (God’s hand work) 1 of Umuawa Alaocha.
Owums, read Information Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Honoured also, was Dr Joseph Ngene, a medical doctor who served at the Nkechi Colewell Methodist Hospital Uzuakoli in Bende LGA.
The Enugu State-born medical doctor was said to have “recorded unprecedented community service, including attending to over 1,000 patients, assisted in over 200 major and minor surgeries, delivered up to 25 babies in the hospital, among others.”
In recognition of their outstanding services, Abia State Governor, and the Management of NYSC, decided to honour them with cash prizes and certificate of outstanding service.
Speaking at the award ceremony held in their honour at the NYSC Secretariat Umuahia, the Abia State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Gladys Adama, said the duo did not only excell in their service but also made significant contributions to their host communities.
She thanked them for excelling in service despite challenges, adding that the honour was in recognition of their exceptional dedication and commitment to duty during their service year.
“Their selflessness, creativity, and passion for service are truly inspiring, and we are proud to recognize their efforts,” the NYSC boss said.
She appealed to stakeholders, including corporate organizations and privileged individuals to support innovative corps members in their community development service projects.
Meanwhile, each of the awardees was given a cash prize of N400,000 by the Abia State Governor, in addition to a Certificate of Honour signed by the Governor.
“This gesture underscores the state’s commitment to nurturing and rewarding talent and dedication among our youths,” Adama said.
The NYSC boss expressed hope that the honour would inspire serving corps members to strive for excellence and impact their host communities.
Responding on behalf of his colleague, Owums, thanked the State Government, for the honour which he said would ginger them for more humanitarian gestures.
“We accept this not as a gift but as a motivation for greater service,” he said.
Owums described NYSC as a catalyst for national integration and unity, which provided them the opportunity to serve.
Speaking with newsmen later, Chief Owums said he delved into charity out of his passion for the indigent in society.
Owums who said “it’s better to show a man how to catch a fish than just give him fish,” explained that he was moved by the living conditions of jobless youths and widows in Umuahia North, and decided to change their stories for the better.
He explained that his passion for the poor dated back to his childhood days in the village, adding that as an under-graduate, he has been helping to pay school fees of indigent students in his village.
“From my childhood, my life has been all about service to humanity. I believe that in giving to others, you receive.
“Serving in Umuahia, I noticed there were a lot of widows at POS stands. I also saw many children at Isi Gate market roaming the place. Then I felt I have to do something to change their situations.
“As at that time, we were receiving N33,000 as monthly allowance but I decided to use it to impact lives. I also leveraged on my contacts to raise funds for the empowerment.
“I was so glad today when one of the beneficiaries of my empowerment programme testified that she used the grant to learn tailoring, and that she now has people she employed. So, the multiplier effect of that is amazing.”
Owums who is now a Chief Executive of many businesses, advocated skills acquisition and entrepreneurship among youths and corps members.
He said:” You will never see me complain about this country because I believe that change starts with me. If you are a youth or a corps member, don’t wait for the country to help you.
“Learn a skill, help yourself and others. Whatever you can do, start it no matter how small. Don’t wait till after school. While in school, I started doing multiple businesses, and today, I’m running my own Development Company and we have set up lots of businesses across Nigeria. I use the proceeds and the connections I have made to impact on others.”
