By By Elizabeth Ugbo
A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps, Kleina Kuchahyel Musa, has constructed an eco-friendly toilet facility with 3,500 recycled plastic bottles at Salihu Dogo Secondary School in Jalingo. Musa unveiled the project on Friday during its commissioning by the Taraba State Government. The initiative aims to tackle plastic waste, improve sanitation, and promote environmental sustainability in schools.
Musa Turns Plastic Waste Into Community Solution
Speaking during the event, Musa said the project started from a simple idea of transforming waste into something valuable for society.
“For many people, plastic waste is simply a problem. But for me, it became a question: ‘What if this waste could become a solution?’” she said.
She explained that the project successfully recycled 3,500 plastic bottles into a functional sanitation facility for students and staff.
According to her, the initiative also encouraged environmental responsibility among residents and students in the community.
“In that moment, I realised the project was no longer just mine. It had become a community project,” Musa added, while recalling how students assisted during construction.
Project Supports Sustainable Development Goals
Musa noted that the eco-friendly toilet aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals.
These include SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 13 on climate action, SDG 4 on quality education, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
She stressed that the project was not only about sanitation but also about inspiring sustainable practices among young people.
NYSC Board Chairman Praises Innovation
The Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board and Chairman of the Taraba State Youth and Sports Development Agency, Gara Nongha, described the initiative as innovative and impactful.
He encouraged corps members to embrace creativity and execute projects that address societal challenges.
“I was surprised to see plastic bottles being used to build a structure that can stand the test of time. I used to see such innovations only on social media,” Nongha said.
He also revealed that Musa introduced a chess education programme in the school to promote discipline, strategic thinking, and critical reasoning among students.
“The project goes beyond sanitation. Alongside the eco-toilet, Musa has introduced a chess education programme designed to sharpen the minds of students,” he added.
Nongha further pledged support for the rehabilitation of the school’s non-functional borehole to sustain the facility.
School Authorities Commend the Intervention
The NYSC Local Government Inspector for Jalingo, Bitrus Yakubu, commended Musa for using innovation to solve sanitation challenges in the school.
Similarly, the Principal of Salihu Dogo Secondary School, Richard Karanta, appreciated the intervention and described it as timely.
According to him, the project complements the Taraba State Government’s free education policy and efforts to improve learning conditions in public schools.
