In a remarkable achievement, Ridwan Ahmed, a graduate of the University of Ibadan, has been honored with the prestigious National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) State Award for his outstanding performance during his one-year service to the nation.
The award celebrates and recognizes the young graduate’s commitment to community service, innovation, and leadership.
Ahmed, who served in Kwara State, stood out among his peers for his exemplary dedication to nation-building. As part of his service, he spearheaded several impactful projects that addressed critical issues in the local community that border on food security. He was also a member of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) community development group that spearheaded an awareness campaign on how to meet SDG goals, including educational outreach programs, environmental sustainability initiatives, and health awareness campaigns.
In his personal community development project, Ahmed led a project to improve food security in the local community. This initiative, which trained over seventy (70) high school students across five schools in the Ilorin metropolis, received widespread commendation from local dwellers and government officials.
He trained students on the practice of organic vegetable production. These vegetables were cultivated without chemical fertilizers and herbicides. According to him, “The world is moving towards sustainable agriculture, a situation where food security can be achieved without jeopardizing the environment for future generations”.
Ahmed trained students on an innovative approach that uses neem oil and neem cake as insecticides and herbicides with remarkable results. Poultry manure was also used to boost the productivity of the vegetables. They successfully cultivated Cochorus olitorius (Ewedu), Amaranthus cruentus (Tete) and Celosia argentea (shoko). The project was supported by the Muslim Corpers’ Association of Nigeria (MCAN) and Adeyemi Poultry Farms, Ilorin. Ahmed mentioned that the aim of the project is for “sensitization and re-orientation of young minds on the opportunities available in agriculture, spread new trend in agriculture i.e., organic and sustainable agriculture, and practical sensitization on the goals 1 and 2 of the SDG in my little way in ending poverty, hunger and promote sustainable agriculture”.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Ilorin West NYSC Local Government Inspector, who was on-site to observe the project, praised Ahmed’s leadership and commitment, noting that his service was a testament to the ideals of the NYSC program. He stated, “Ahmed exemplifies the spirit of the NYSC, which is to foster unity and development through selfless service. His contributions to the community during his service year have left a lasting impact.”
Ridwan Ahmed expressed gratitude for the recognition, attributing his success to the support he received from the community, his fellow corps members, his sponsors, and the training from his alma mater.
“This award is not just for me but for everyone who believes in the power of service. The University of Ibadan instilled in me the values of excellence and community development, and I am proud to have made a difference during my service year.” This trailblazing contribution has been lauded as one of the State’s most remarkable achievements by a corp member, receiving widespread recognition and commentary from far and near.
The NYSC State Award is given annually to corps members who distinguish themselves through their contributions to their host communities, leadership in their community development groups, and adherence to the NYSC’s core values.
Ahmed’s recognition in NYSC is not the first he has received. Last year, he was recognized in Port Harcourt, River State as the Overall third-best student in the 2016 Graduate Animal Scientist Examination at the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) conference. He was also the 2015 best-graduating student from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Ibadan.
Ahmed’s recognition has brought pride to the University of Ibadan, which continues to produce graduates who excel in various fields of endeavor. His success inspires other young Nigerians and reinforces the importance of service, leadership, and commitment to national development. He hopes to continue with scientific research and community development work, focusing on achieving food security for the human populace.
The National Youth Service Corps was established in 1973 to promote national unity and development by encouraging Nigerian graduates to serve the country in states outside their regions of origin. Over the years, the program has become a cornerstone of national development, with many corps members making significant contributions to their host communities.
