By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Rahila Garba, founder of the Rahila Helpers Foundation and a member of the 2023 Batch A Stream 1 of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has been honoured with the prestigious 2025 President’s NYSC Honours Award for her outstanding contribution to community development during her service year in Bauchi State.
Garba, who served in Gudum Hausawa, Bauchi Local Government Area, was recognised for constructing a block of two classrooms for primary school pupils in the community.
Her project aimed to address the poor learning environment, where children were previously forced to learn under trees due to lack of proper infrastructure.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award in Abuja on Tuesday, Chawaig said her motivation came from witnessing firsthand the dire conditions pupils endured.
“I was moved to act when I saw young children learning under trees in harsh weather. I knew I had to contribute something meaningful that would impact their education positively,” she said.
She was among 210 outstanding corps members from 2020 – 2023 recognised by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their exceptional service in different areas including education, health, Infrastructure, rural development including support for orphanage homes.
Beyond her NYSC community development project, Garba is the founder of Rahila Helpers Foundation, a grassroots humanitarian organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable women and children in underserved communities across northern Nigeria.
The foundation focuses on Sanitation, offering support to the needy and donating books/writing materials to students.
Since its inception in October 2021, the foundation has reached hundreds of beneficiaries through school outreach programs, donations, and partnerships with local stakeholders
The construction of one block of two classroom project in Bauchi was sponsored by Habeeb Engineer Nigeria Limited.
“This award was not just for me but for every young Nigerian who believes in change through selfless service,” she added,
while calling on government agencies and well-meaning individuals to invest more in youth-led community initiatives.
Garba’s recognition has continued to draw commendations from education advocates, civil society organisations, and youth groups, who have described her as a shining example of what young Nigerians can achieve through vision and dedication.
Elanza News reports that the President’s NYSC Honours Award is presented annually to corps members who demonstrate exceptional patriotism, integrity, and innovation in the course of their national service.
