Students of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Mani Community Study Centre in Katsina State, have donated teaching and learning materials as well as sports equipment to pupils of a primary school in the locality.
The gesture formed part of their DES 303 Community Development course, aimed at addressing community needs through practical engagement.
The items were presented to pupils of Janzama Primary School in Mani Local Government Area of Katsina State during a ceremony held at Mani Pilot Secondary School.
The event attracted education officials, traditional rulers, Islamic scholars, teachers, students, and other stakeholders from the area, alongside officials and students of NOUN.
The acting director of the centre, Dr. Shamwilu S. Bala, said the donation was part of the students’ project work under the DES 303 course, which focuses on community needs assessment and problem-solving.
He explained that NOUN, with national and international accreditation, runs undergraduate and postgraduate programmes up to Ph.D. level.
Bala added that the exercise marked the third community service initiative by students of the centre, noting that previous projects included a free medical screening exercise that benefited over 500 residents and an anti-drug abuse campaign.
Some of the participating students expressed joy at the opportunity to contribute to community development, saying the initiative reinforced the importance of education in societal growth.
Others who spoke at the event included the representative of the Chairman of Mani Local Government, Sada Machika, the representative of the Local Government Education Secretary, Mal. Zayyanu Aliyu, the representative of the Emir of Katsina, Durbin Katsina, District Head of Mani, Alhaji Isa Mani, and the Chairman of Mani Local Government Teachers Association, Mal. Nura Ashiru Mani.
