L-R : NYSC Abia State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, presenting the State Honours Award Certificate to Chief Francis Owums.
By Festus Ani
The Abia Government, has conferred the State Honours Award on Chief Francis Chimaobi Owums for his immense contributions to the socio-economic development of the state during the 2024 service year.
Owums, who hails from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area (LGA)of Imo, was recognised during a colourful ceremony at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Secretariat in Umuahia.
Owums, with the call-up number :NYSC/FUW/2023/300736 and registration number: AB/2023C/0336, was given a cash prize of N400,000 by the government in addition to a Certificate of Honour, signed by the governor.
A graduate of Information Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Owums was honoured for his personal Community Development Project during his service year.
He was recognised for organising skill acquisition training programme for 150 natives, including widows, youths, and out-of-school children in Umuawa-Alaocha Community in Umuahia North LGA.
The business developer and consultant, also empowered 10 most indigent participants with N1 million and issued a Certificate of Participation to all the participants.
In appreciation of his great service, the traditional ruler of Umuawa-Alaocha Ancient Kingdom, Eze Godswill Asomugha, had conferred him with a chieftaincy title “Olu Aka Chukwu 1 of Umuawa-Alaocha Kingdom.”
In a speech, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, appreciated the government for fulfilling its promise of honouring corps members, who made positive impacts during their service year.
According to Adama, this gesture demonstrates the government’s commitment to the NYSC scheme and its values of service, integrity, and patriotism.
Speaking to newsmen, Owums expressed gratitude to God and the organisers for the recognition, saying it would spur him to do more for humanity.
Owums, who served at Campus Innovation Hub Limited, Umuahia, said he was touched by a lot of young widows, youths and out-of-school children roaming the streets in the state capital.
He said: “I saw that as an anomaly and decided to do something to change their lives because I don’t necessarily believe that NYSC is all about ‘allowee’ (allowance).
“You will never see me complain about this country because I believe that change starts with us.
“My mentality to helping is not to give fish but to teach one how to fish, which is why I particularly chose empowerment programme.”
“Who knows the impact those 150 people I empowered last year have made in the society.
“This is my own little of changing the country.”
Owums also advised young people, especially students and corps members, to start doing something for themselves instead of waiting for the country to help them.
“You can help yourself, learn skills, do something because little raindrops make up a river.
“If every single day you wake up and say today I’m walking one step, before the end of the year you would have walked 365 steps,” he said.
