UDUS Alumna Grace Ike wins the Presidential NYSC National Honours Award

Grace Ike, an alumna of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, has set a remarkable feat as she has been awarded with the NYSC Presidential award. Being among the 210 winners for the 2020-2023 cycle.

Prior to that, Grace is a graduate of Education Chemistry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, she also graduated as one of the best four in her department. During her undergraduate years she also volunteered with various organizations like MedBound, PsychThere, the Young Antimicrobial Stewards, the Zeribe Nwosu Foundation, and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and also a co-founder of the national association of Igede Students Association.

When Grace Ike stepped to her place of primary assignment (PPA). At Army Day Secondary School in the Nkwagu Military Cantonment, Abakiliki in Ebonyi State. Grace sees gaps that need to be filled, "When I walked into that school and saw the state of the facilities, especially the five dilapidated toilets serving over 1,000 students I couldn't just look away". Grace stated . It was really disheartening looking at a place where students come with dreams in their heart, how could they focus on their education, on becoming the next generation leaders, when their basic needs weren't met. Grace sees the need to get things done the right way. "I didn't just see a sanitation problem, I saw 1,000 students whose dignity and health were in a precarious situation. That was when I decided to take on the renovation project as my Personal Community Development Service". Grace asserted.

Grace took it upon herself to take a renovation project as her personal community Development service , In her words "The mindset that contributed to this award wasn't about excellence for excellence's sake it was about service with heart. It was about living out the core NYSC aims of "Service and Humility”. It wasn't an easy task to do, she had to do fundraising, rally support and balance it with her teaching responsibilities of 200 chemistry students. Then came the game-changing pivotal moment, when she secured a full sponsorship for the project."When those five toilets were finally renovated and I saw students using clean, dignified facilities for the first time, those moments made every sacrifice worth it". She opined.

The President’s NYSC national Honours Award is a statutory award designed primarily to reward excellence amongst young persons who have been adjourned remarkably outstanding during the mandatory service year via Community Development Service (CDS) and other programmes of the NYSC scheme. The award which is conferred annually by the President and Commander- in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is undoubtedly the highest award conferred on young Nigerians in the country.

It is a non- political, non- religious body that is primarily aimed at fostering the objective of national development in Nigeria which has its membership opened to all persons conferred with the President’s NYSC Honours Award.

Being among the 210 winners for the 2020-2023 cycle, and part of the 1,374 ex-corps members who have ever won this prestigious NYSC Presidential Honours Award, is a professional hallmark that testifies to her determination and commitment to impact, a commitment that aligns perfectly with her goals and philosophy.

The award comes with automatic employment, scholarship for masters and PhD, gold medals, and a cash reward.

Grace expressed her gratitude to the time she participated in different leadership roles, her participation in students' associations and communities, and her volunteering experience culminated in shaping her into an informed, confident, strong, bold, brave, smart, and intelligent person with the necessary skills to undertake such a herculean project. In her words "when I stepped into that NYSC year, I wasn't starting from zero. I was standing on the shoulders of every lecture attended, every volunteer hour served, every challenge overcame, every community touched. Usmanu Danfodiyo University didn't just give me a degree; it gave me a compass and that compass pointed toward service".

Grace advised students not to run from challenging assignments, difficult courses, or uncomfortable situations. Those are the experiences that forge character. The "toilet renovation project" was uncomfortable, expensive, exhausting but it's also the thing that she is most proud of. "You don't need to be perfect to make an impact, you just need to be present, persistent, and passionate about something bigger than yourself" she asserted