Youths, with the growing trend of societal ills, particularly in grassroots communities, have been contributing their quota to the development of the country.

They have adopted the ideology of giving back to the society by organising and delivering free services to numerous communities in Abuja also.

Most recently, youths such as Dr Opara Uchenna and Dr Rofiah Okubadejo, would be remembered by communities for their developmental services and advocacy.

Opara is a young optometrist who reached a total of 332 people comprising of 181 children and 151 adults, by offering free eyes screening, medicated glasses, test and sensitization.

His community service project, tagged ” Vision First” was carried out at the Junior Secondary School, Galadimawa, Government Secondary School, Area 1 and Internally Displaced Persons’ Camp, Area 1 in Abuja.

Similarly, Dr Rofiah is a dentist at her prime with a medical inclusive service project which impacted the lives of 100 visually impaired pupils in FCT School for the blind, Jabi.

Speaking about himself and the factors that inspired his service to the communities, Opara said that his background fueled the passion to proffer solutions to daunting societal challenges.

“I watched a lot of kids lose their eyesight due to late detection of visual/health challenges as their parents where ignorant or could not afford proper treatment.

” The Inadequacy and accessibility to the health system of the country especially to those that cannot afford it has greatly brought about a whole lot of problems and challenges in the society.

” The desire to serve humanity and make an impact to help solve this particular challenge in my society inspired not just my service but my profession.

” This led to the birth of my Vision First project with the objectives of promoting good health and wellbeing for children in schools and the vulnerable in the society such as internally displaced persons.

“People have been properly informed on how to promote good health amongst themselves and their environment through sensitization on general/health practices and rendering of free medical services,” he said.

Opara said he encountered a number of challenges in the course of the project due to largely to low finances and sponsorship.

“Challenges were more in terms of finances as some essential items had to be scraped from the budget. I would have done better to impact in the lives of people and the society at large.

“Getting access to funds for community service project is a tedious affair. This makes it difficult for youths to initiate projects that are urgently needed in the community.

“My project was a reality because of material and cash donations from Sight Haven Eye Clinic, Absolute Vision Eye Centre, Nigerian Optometric Association – FCT Chapter, Ministry of Defence – Ship house and friends.”

He, however, enjoined youths to dive into community service and keep impacting people’s lives and the society at large through any small project.

“As youths, we are evolved beyond asking what the country can do for us. Our focus rest on what we can do for our community especially with the increase of societal ills.

“Every country has their own achievements and challenges, our leaders are doing their very best to bring about positive change and good health system, but the government cannot do it alone.

” It is a thing of joy to lay up legacy for upcoming generations so they too can learn to be better. Someday, we all would sit back and be proud of the society we built,” he said.

Dr Rofiah Okubadejo, a dentist with community project on medical inclusion, said that community service charts a pathway for youths interested in changing the status quo of their society.

“I have had a deep-seated concern for the visually impaired who found it difficult to access proper dental health in my environment. Community service was a way to effect change to that challenge.

“The country is going through tough times and I can only imagine it is worse for people living with disabilities and for their care takers as well. For this reason, people tend to focus more on survival than health.

“For many countries including Nigeria where youths constitute major percentage of the population, it is important that youths contribute their quota to make the society a better place,” she said.

She added that the one year leadership training during her youth service, culminated into the passion she has for developmental services.

Rofiah said that funding as a challenge to community service should not hinder the youths from advocating for change.

“Accessing funds was definitely a challenge but I couldn’t let that hinder my focus. I believed if I could impact into some members of my community, they would in turn reach out to others, spreading the effect of service.

“I was taught to identify the topmost needs in my community and solve it. If I can’t solve it, at least I can advocate through several medium until change is effected.”

She called on private and public organisations to invest in youths who dedicate time to community service projects.

” A lot of youths have innovative ideas that can make the country a better place but without the right support such project will not see the light of day.

” Private and public organisations should support youth initiated service project of their host communities. This is how we can grow together and lift the nation high.

“Youths should look around and attract attention to the needs of their community and be intentional enough to provide services to them. Let that be your driving force,” she said

One of the beneficiaries of the community service project, Mr Isa Farouq expressed gratitude to the youths for a life-changing experience.

” I have never had a medical visual screening. I was amazed to receive medicated glasses after the screening without paying a dime, it was an amazing experience.

” Youths really can make a difference in their various communities through actions that support societal growth,” he said.

Miss Tarama Eloghene, a beneficiary of the free dental service, also the initiator of the service and called on more youths to stimulate development in their communities.(NAN)