I always wanted to meet the president – NYSC award winner

Weekly Trust: You recently received the President’s NYSC award. Could you describe the feeling when you knew you were to be one of the recipients?Maryam Ahumpa: My oh my! I was ecstatic; euphoria at its peak. As a matter of fact, I was overwhelmed.    WT: What exactly were you recognised for?Ahumpa: I carried out some […]

Weekly Trust: You recently received the President’s NYSC award. Could you describe the feeling when you knew you were to be one of the recipients?
Maryam Ahumpa: My oh my! I was ecstatic; euphoria at its peak. As a matter of fact, I was overwhelmed.    
WT: What exactly were you recognised for?
Ahumpa: I carried out some projects during my service year. I de-wormed the whole of Dogon Nahawa village in Plateau State and also bought uniforms, sandals, socks, exercise books and school bags for children there.
There were some physically challenged people whom I bought three pairs of crutches for along with food items and provisions which I also bought for children at an orphanage. At the Jos prison, I bought them medical items and also gave widows at ECWA Church, Rantya, 100 measures of maize, bags of washing detergent, cartons of Royco seasoning cubes, cartons of salt, cartons of soap and bags of rice among other items.
I had previously done a course in hygiene, so with my knowledge from there, I organised a sensitisation campaigns on hygiene practices and water treatment chemicals for all the families of Dong and Kadis villages. Two specialists in training and skills acquisitions, Mrs. Paula Kalbasa and Mrs. Grace Edobor, helped me with the skills acquisition exercise on how to make buns, doughnuts, fishroll, vaseline and soap in Dogo Nahawa for widows and youths, whose husbands and fathers were killed during the sectarian crisis in Plateau State.
WT: Why did you embark on the project?
Ahumpa: It was compassion! I wanted to reach out to people out there in the little way I could. To let them know and feel people still love and care for them.
WT: What challenges did you encounter in the process of executing it?
Ahumpa: Funding! Whew! It was not easy at all. It was so difficult getting sponsors to fund the various projects. I wrote proposals, made calls. Some called back, others didn’t. Eventually, individuals came on board and helped me out. Some gave me cash, others gave kind.
WT: Where did the project take place and what was the initial reaction to it?
Ahumpa: I did the projects in Plateau State. The reaction was astonishment. The people were astounded.
WT: What measures have you put in place to ensure that this will be sustained?
Ahumpa: I encourage youth corps members to carry out projects in their communities and states of deployment, not for their own benefit, but to touch lives and leave their footprints in the sands of time. I have been invited to give corps members’ talks and I always tell them I did the projects out of compassion and not for any personal benefit because I honestly didn’t know of any benefit or reward.
WT: How did you manage with this alongside your other activities as a corps member?
Ahumpa: Hmm… It was very stressful and tiring. I was a research assistant at my place of primary assignment. I was the president of my CDS group. We had a group project and then I had personal CDS projects. I had to juggle the three.
WT: What is next for you from here?
Ahumpa: Well I am leaving my options open, I am very optimistic. What I know for sure is to keep the torch burning.
WT: Did people express hesitation when you began the project?
Ahumpa: Most definitely. A lot of people discouraged me, some thought it was a waste of time and resources, I got a lot of turn downs from sponsors especially institutions and companies. I felt really discouraged but I thank God for the few who were willing to help.
WT: Could you share some memorable moments you had during NYSC?
Ahumpa: Yes, I got to meet a lot of people like General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and the crew of the Yakubu Gowon Foundation; and other wonderful corps members. The whole NYSC experience brought me closer to people. Although it was stressful, we still had time to unwind and share memories. Then, my state coordinator, Mr. Maram Maful and his officials; they are the best people in the world. They encouraged me and were there at the commissioning of the various projects. Another was the day I was awarded ‘Best Corps Member’ for Plateau State by NYSC Plateau State and Governor Jonah Jang was there. Then the night fellow corps members honoured me as best corps member for the state and the party that they organised. It was really heart-warming.
WT: Was having a presidential handshake something you imagined you would ever have?
Ahumpa: (Laughter) No. I didn’t expect it at this point in my life, but I had always wanted and imagined meeting Mr. President and the first lady in person, and then poof… I met the president in person.
WT: It’s rumoured that some people reportedly didn’t wash their hands afterwards. Were you one of them?
Ahumpa: (Laughter) Oh my goodness … his palm is very soft, I would have preferred not to wash my hands, but I had my bath much later.