In an effort to obliterate the challenge of open defecation and guard the community against any infectious disease that could be contacted due to lack of a functioning toilet, two Batch B corps member; Isiaka Abass Abolaji and Tokode Stella Ibidunni both first class graduates of the University of Ilorin and Obafemi Awolowo University respectively, has renovated a dilapidated public toilet serving the whole of Maikunkele community in Bosso Local Government area of Niger state. In an interview with NIYI OYEDEJI, the duet bares their mind on how they executed the project.
What inspired you to renovate the Toilet?
Initially, our resolution was to chart a course and make a difference as the essence of community development services is; to make sure that we leave the community better than the way we met it. We discovered the toilet around April 2017 through our need assessment. The health hazard associated with the dilapidated toilet was majorly what we could not withstand and coupled with the fact that in spite the horrible state of the toilet, people of the community are still seeking relief from this non-existing facility as at the time of discovery.
Was it a general CDS project or just a project both of you did alone?
It was a project done by the duet.
How did you hear about the community’s challenge?
We heard about the community’s challenge through the need assessment. We met the head of the community called Hakimi Maikunkele. He was the one that took us to the toilet. He narrated the toilet as a central public toilet serving about a hundred persons on daily basis, and no other public toilet of that nature exists in the community. He added that the members of the community who doesn’t have toilet facility in their houses result in open defecation by walking some kilometres into the bush. He said the toilet was built in 1970’s by the white men.
Did you ask the community how the toilet deteriorated to such condition?
Yes, we did. We were informed that the toilet was seen as a public property and no one was taking responsibility for the maintenance of the toilet as it was built by the white men. The facility has been in moribund for about 20 years and was abandoned as a failed facility with no idea of what to be done.
What was the source of defecation for the community people prior to the renovation?
Open defecation was observed to be prevalent among those who don’t have toilet facilities in their homes.
Who funded the renovation?
The cost of the renovation estimated to be around N1,028,000 which was jointly funded by a community-based NGO called Maikunkele G-15 together with KBK foundation in Lagos, Honourable Mamman Musa, Engineer Ibrahim Dada and Dr C.S Tukura.
It is worthy to note that the Maikunkele G-15 made the integral funding for the renovation.
What was your primary source of finance for the project?
Our initial running cost was from our monthly allowances before we later met these sponsors.
What are the challenges you faced? Â
The challenges were overwhelming. Even our Local Government Inspector didn’t believe we could do it, and we were denied approval. But we were determined to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finance was a major impediment, we served close to 40 notable persons in Niger State with our copies of letter and proposal. We penetrated several offices, ministries, agencies, government parastatals, private enterprises, hotels, schools, banks, National and International NGOs, mobile network providers, political office holders and individuals. Lo and behold, it was just 20 per cent of these people came to our aid. The time of execution became a problem when we are unable to gather substantial fund to kick-start the project according to our project timeline.
What are the stages and steps you took before having such edifice?
We started with need assessment to identify the immediate need of the community, we then embarked on a feasibility study through technical and market survey. We came up with a proposal detailing the process and cost of renovating the toilet. We started prospecting our probable sponsors by making enquiries from individuals in the community.
We served them copies of our letter and proposal together with the picture of the dilapidated toilet. We fixed endless appointments with Directors, Stakeholders, and Permanent Secretaries and so on. Our follow-up strategies were unwavering, we go out for a reminder and cold calling every Wednesday of the week being our CDS day. We designed the projected outcome of the project.
The renovation started with the evacuation of the pit latrines in the 7 rooms and the empty pits were filled with sand. The soak away of 22 by 8 inches was constructed outside the existing pit, walls were equally patched before the roofing was done. Fixing of doors and windows was done after a while before the plumbing work was carried out. Fixing the squatting pans and Painting came at the closure.
Apart from this project what other commendable project did you also execute as a group or personal?
During my service year, I was the president of the SDGs Advocacy Group and also doubled as the President of the General CDS Council of Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State and she was a very devoted and supportive member. At General CDS level we renovated an apartment given to corps members by the Local Government chairman, we donated mosquito nets and other relief materials to the people of Maikunkele and its environs.
During the outbreak of Meningitis in April/May, we organised a massive campaign on Meningitis in seven communities in Niger State. We had several seminars and sensitisations on Drug Abuse, Truancy, Breast and Cervical Cancer, Water and Environmental sanitation, Girl Child Education, Quiz Competition, and Skill Acquisition Training for secondary school students.
How did you combine the project together with your PPA and other assignments during your service year?
It was practically herculean, but we think the paired tenacity of two First Class Graduates was the threshold of our survival. We both served in the same department and same office. The demand of our PPA was very high as we were preparing for accreditation of some courses during the period. Our HOD; Dr Ramatu Gimba was very understanding and supportive and this gave us the backing to cope successfully with all responsibilities.
Why must corps members venture into such project?
We believe we are not the sources of the problem, but we are the resources to solve the problem. In spite of our great disparity, we can uphold unity in diversity to make Nigeria a better place to live. We will urge corps members to always stand to make changes in their host community because, if you can stay in a locality for 10-12 months and your sole responsibility is to serve them for the period but they can’t feel your presence, hence you have defeated the goal of your existence.
What’s your view about NYSC?
The National Youth Service Scheme is an avenue to expose fresh graduates to skills that will enable them to survive the world of work and life. The centre-piece of ignition of the scheme was national integration which remains elusive at the point in time looking at how we have been divided across different colours of ethnicity and religion.
However, we are glad the scheme provided a platform to touch more lives through several community engagements. Our experience in the scheme has taught us how to leverage order and speed.
However, we are of the view that there is a need for a review of the scheme to look into some grey areas in the system for it can be able to live up to its goal of existence.
What would you suggest for the NYSC programme?
Presently, the NYSC scheme runs basically on four cardinal points; Orientation Programme, Place of Primary Assignment, Community Development Services and Passing out Parade. Looking at the teeming population of the Nigerian Youth, there is a need for the country to equip the youth with vocational and entrepreneurship skills that will make them job makers and not job seekers. The NYSC scheme should make Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development her Fifth Cardinal Point where corps members will be attached to a vocational centre for a period of three months out the 12 months of the service year. This will equip members with necessary training that can help them be self-reliance after the programme.
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