The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has awarded Ugochukwu Madu the Most Influential Corps Member of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocacy during his mandatory service year in Benue State.
Madu, who served at Benue State University (BSU), combined multiple leadership roles throughout the service year. He was a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Mass Communication, News Editor and Studio Manager at BSU FM (the university’s campus radio station), and was elected Projects Chairman of the SDGs Community Development Service (CDS) group. These roles positioned him to lead a variety of impactful initiatives targeting vulnerable communities within and beyond the university environment.
As Projects Chairman, Madu led the SDGs CDS group in executing numerous outreach programs. The group distributed school supplies, including books, pens, schoolbags, and instructional materials to students and teachers in under-resourced areas. In support of public health, they also organised sensitisation campaigns and partnered with university communities in Makurdi to promote broader awareness and participation in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the group visited homes for abandoned infants and reached out to displaced persons with relief materials aimed at improving their living and health conditions.
Presenting the award during the Passing Out Parade in February 2022, Local Government Inspector Mrs. Comfort Zemo Hua commended Madu’s exemplary service. “You have not only served with excellence, but you have also inspired with purpose,” she said. “Go into the world and influence globally, continuing to champion health initiatives through leadership, advocacy, teaching, and research as you have done here.”
The NYSC award highlights the importance of civic-driven contributions from young professionals in advancing national development goals. Madu’s recognition signals the value of grassroots leadership in education, media engagement, and health communication, a path he intends to pursue further in his academic and professional journey.
Speaking after receiving the award, Madu stated, “This recognition affirms that influence is not about position, but impact. Serving communities, amplifying health voices, and advancing sustainable goals have defined my service year, and I will carry that mission with me wherever I go.”
His award adds to a growing profile of academic and service achievements and reinforces the role corps members can play in driving change both locally and globally.
