Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
Chinwendu Abia, an exceptional Foreign Languages and Literature graduate from the University of Port Harcourt, has been decorated with the prestigious President’s NYSC Honours Award in recognition of her groundbreaking community development initiatives during her 2023 service year in Jigawa State. The national honor celebrates corps members whose service creates lasting impact in their host communities.
The 2023 Batch A corps member first demonstrated her leadership potential during orientation camp, where she served as Assistant Platoon Leader. Her team claimed first position in the motivational writing competition under her guidance, while she also effectively coordinated sanitation activities, showcasing early signs of the transformational service that would follow.
Stationed at the Jigawa State Ministry of Information, Youth, Sports & Culture in Dutse, Abia brought innovation to her primary assignment. She leveraged her digital marketing expertise to enhance the ministry’s online platforms, while representing the corps member cadre with a thought-provoking lecture on “Green Skills for Youths” during the 2023 International Youth Day celebrations.
However, it was her Personal Community Development Service (CDS) project in Zai community that truly distinguished her service year. The comprehensive intervention included complete renovation and furnishing of a two-classroom block, Distribution of 1,000 essential learning materials, Provision of 300 school uniforms to underprivileged students, Donation of 25 school bags and pairs of sandals, food relief packages for 50 widows and low-income families and Menstrual hygiene education and free sanitary pads for secondary school girls.
The profoundly grateful Zai community immortalized her contributions by naming both the renovated classroom block and community entrance in her honor, an unprecedented tribute to a serving corps member.
Beyond her NYSC service, Abia is the visionary founder of Whole By Grace, a non-profit organization established in 2021 that has executed numerous girl-child empowerment programs across Rivers, Bayelsa, Jigawa, and Lagos States.
In an emotional response to receiving the nation’s highest NYSC honor, Chinwendu stated: “I dedicate this award first to Almighty God for deeming me a worthy vessel of change, and equally to all partners who have supported my charity work, particularly Deciders Hub for their unwavering belief in my vision.”
The President’s NYSC Honours Award recognizes corps members whose projects demonstrate measurable impact and sustainable community transformation. With this accolade, Chinwendu Abia’s legacy is now permanently enshrined in NYSC history, serving as an inspiring model of how visionary youth leadership can catalyze meaningful development and uplift entire communities. Her story continues to motivate current and future corps members to approach national service as an opportunity for creating lasting positive change.