'COPEB, so far, so good.'

Okay. This all started about a month ago when the news reached everywhere that we shall be having a COBEP 'Community Based Experience Program' and that will lasted for 2weeks. It's for Engineering Students in their finals, everybody was shattered by the news. We were all sad about it. The change of environment, the unforeseen program, and the bond that will exist between us all. Me, as a person wasn't cool with the idea of this program, it's like sufferness, staying in an unknown town/village for two weeks. That's huge, right. I know. But, no, reverse is the case!

Fortunately, the initially scheduled date was postponed by a week form Oct, 17 to Oct, 24 to Nov, 7 as a result of the unforeseen contingency that occured. As such will help each and everyone of us to gather the needed materials to live a merry moment at the town each and everyone of us shall be posted. And as God wants it, I was allotted to Group D 'Igbaja'. I kept a close glimpse at the list checking out the names. Funnily enough, out of 73Persons in my group, I was able to recognize just 20persons +my course mates, and that made the recognition list more favorable. Imagine! I never set my eyes on some for the past 4years or so.

We have 6groups in total. Out of which some Persons were posted to Fufu, Reke, Ile Apa, Igbaja, Bode Sadu, Oke-Oyi all in Kwara State. Oh, sorry, this Program was invented as a means of helping to discover community problems, and providing solutions to them. Along the long run, we all met at Soludero Motor Park, Post Office Ilorin, for our Departure to the place. And, unfortunately, my group was the last on the list. We left last!

In a nutshell, we got to Igbaja around 6pm, and the place allocated for us was so bad that we only managed to survive a day there. The second day of our arrival in Igbaja, I and some colleagues took our bath outside before the dawn, the bathrooms there were like swimming pool. Water wasn't getting through, all blocked!. This place to the town is about 3km '3000m' you know what that means. The following day, we lodged our complaints to our supervisor, Dr. Tunji Owoseni, and he helped us pass the complaints to the school management, and our desires were granted. The same person some students perceived to be an hard person, he's not. He's just a disciplined person; just follow his protocols, and all of you will be fine. They mistaken his strictness for wickedness. We were moved to a more favourable place 'Atunwa Lodge', and we stayed in this place throughout our stay in Igbaja. All thanks to Baba Oyin, and the King. Ke pe fun wa oo.

The third day of the first week of our stay in Igbaja, we were all set. We were divided into 4groups, of which I was lucky to be in group 3. We took different routes in relation to the group you belong, going to different place in search of what their problems are. This same day, on our way, we saw an Old woman in Dairo compound, got her interviewed about what their problems are in the community, she listed them as follows: Power outage for the past 20days due to the transformer blown out and, Water; a universal solvent.

Again, a visit to ECWA District Church Council Health Care, we interviewed a nurse. she shared the challenges they have with us, and we took note of them: BP Apparatus, Beds and benches for Patients, and general renovation as well.
The fourth day of the first week, we went to a primary school there in Igbaja, ECWA Primary School, we had a conversation with the Principal, she highlighted their challenges: Lack of Teachers/Corpers, lack of basic school materials such as textbooks, pencil, eraser for the Pupils. An unequipped computer laboratory and unavailability of technical know-how. Their still-in-construction classrooms building. Which we let the Principal 'Mrs. Olaosebikan M.T understood that we'd try our best with what we can do concerning all these challenges.

On Friday, we continued our community hunting. We've walked about 30metres when we stumbled on Agbaja Community. We met with the Elders of the community, they shared their problems with us: Light 'electricity' - and which the Governor has promised to provide that. Case solved. Water as well. An existing borehole of 15years in the community made the whole work easier for us. We asked what the problem is with the borehole, they brought it to our notice that pump is the issue, the one there's not working really well, and some other components that needed to be changed. They asked 'Ìgbà wo ni ká ma retí yin', we gave our words 'we shall come back to resolve this Sirs/Mas'. We stood by that. On getting home, we presented/proposed this to the house, and it's approved.

The following week i.e the second week, we've made the list of our to-be-carried out projects. And the projects are: Refurbishing of Agbaja Community borehole i.e purchasing of a pump and some other plumbing materials, and painting of the storex stand. Inclusion of all key-locations in Igbaja on map. and some other petty projects that didn't require us to incur any expenses, just in the case of teaching. Waste disposal bin (waste management) as such will serve as a source of revenue for the community, as the pet bottles and several others will be recycled by the interested companies for usage - it's nullified as a result of insufficient funds. Yeah, this will help, but this is a thing they can discuss amongst themselves and find a way round it, as they've a process of which they usually get their waste disposed.

We distributed ourselves to the school in Igbaja for teaching.. We went to the various Primary and Secondary schools in Igbaja. We served as teachers, some Persons taught Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, English depending on your area of interest. We also had some minutes talk 'career talks' with them. We motivated them. 'Do it all' 'You can be whatever you wanna be'. And that was repeatedly done for the complete second week. Our impact was felt. We did try our best for them.

Furthermore, we paid a visit to the king's palace. We met his P.A, he informed the king about our presence. After some minutes, the King showed up. We all greeted him saying 'Kabiesi ooo' - we said chorusly. He conversed with us as father to his children. We all introduced ourselves to him. We spent a lovely time with him.We asked Oba to know about the time he'd be less busy, so he can share the history of Igbaja with us. But, he wasn't opportuned, there's not time for him to share all these with us. We couldn't make up with that.

One thing that I’d always find funny is the cooking style; mo ti miss èwà olómi, ati isu. Breakfast at around 11, and dinner at around 9. About lunch, you find something for yourself. All thanks to my Tea, Garri, and Barqee. I guess, this has prepared us for NYSC camp. Just a prototype. Na me be the food rep for my room sef. The daily tour no be for here. It’s fun sha.

Same thing happened the day we were leaving Igbaja. We were the group that left last. Probably, because we are exceptional,. A very good round of applause for my group member, we all did a great job, and that made us stand out amongst the other groups. Innovative kids here and there. Scholars.

The problem that we were able to solve for ECWA primary school:
• Lack of teachers/Corpers: And which we were able to serve as one.
• Lack of basic school materials: Especially, exercise books. We distributed exercise books, pencil, erasers to the Pupils.
• An unequipped computer laboratory and unavailability of technical know-how; we served them that purpose, we trained the teachers on how to become tech-people. As such will help the pupils there. The process of checking something online, online registration, Ms Word and Ms Excel application.

Same thing at Community Primary School, Igbaja. We also donated a sprayer to the School to help in clearing bushes and grasses..

Agbaja Community problem: The issue of pump and other necessary components. We were able to get a new pump (submersible) for the community with discharge control, and tap ways as some had worn out. We refurbished the whole system. We got a painter to do that. We test-runned the borehole after the whole adjustment. Water is a universal solvent, its uses can never be quantified. A major reason why we proposed the project, and was approved..
We've included all key locations in Igbaja on Google map such as: The police station, market square, palace, and some other notable place for easy identification for visitors visiting Igbaja for the first time. Easy, and no stress.

This program helped to foster the relationship between us all. This contribute measurable, important outcomes for youth development as a whole. It helps build confidence, self-esteem, peer relationships, etc.
• It helps us to be independent.
• Adventure and exploration.
• It shows our leadership skills. How well we could lead an organization, a group of people.
• Source of environmental awareness.
• Values and decisions - to be decisive in taking actions.
• Social comfort.
The program made us live as one big family, we usually watch out for one another.

I'd implore all schools to emulate this act, as this will help the neighboring communities to grow much faster, and will help the students to build a beautiful relationship with one another during this course. Without no doubt, I'll say the two weeks was a worthy moment, I cherish those memories.
Is it about the usual jokes we normally catch at night, the usual 7:30pm meetings, or 'is the food not ready' slogan we normally chant every morning and night? Which one. 😌

Please, give us a rousing ovation. We deserve some accolades, please, bake some slice for us.

I'd like to acknowledge the effort of our Supervisor, Dr. Tunji Owoseni, he's a force to reckon with. The COBEP coordinator Dr. M.Y Kolawole, and KWASU centre for Community Development. And my colleagues, Barqee, Teebaba, Robben, Murtador Kolapo, BeeJay, Hakeemah, Yumeen, Abasiemek, Qowiy, and many more which I'll not be able to mention. To the kitchen lords and lordess, Murtador, Emmanuel, AbdulFatai, AbdulMalik Ajayi, Barokah, you are all greatly appreciated. You didn't let us feel the pain of hunger. Eshey. I was putting down the names as they cross my mind, it's not intentional. Pardon me if I didn't mention your name. It's practically impossible for me to mention all names. It's a remarkable one with you People. The memories will forever remain green in my heart. I never knew it'd be this interesting and fun. I love you all. See you all in top places.

I tried my best to make it short, but words didn't let me. The memories kept flowing. Let me stop here now.
Thanks for taking your time to go through it.

© Engr. Fatiu Bello (GMNSE) - Igbaja 'COBEP' 2022.