By Charles Pemu 
YENAGOA, BAYELSA – A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Blessing Nwokeoma, has equipped over 40 senior secondary school students with critical first aid skills as part of her Community Development Service project. The training, held at Government Secondary School in Ovom, was a collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the Nigeria Network of NGOs.
The program, themed “Empowering Teens with Lifesaving Skills,” taught students how to handle common emergencies and provide basic life support. Nwokeoma said her goal was to empower young people to confidently respond to crises at school, home, or in their communities.
The initiative received widespread praise from participating organizations and school officials. Oyebisi B. Oluseyi, Executive Director of the Nigeria Network of NGOs, commended Nwokeoma for her initiative, stating that it “reinforces the value of active citizenship” and adds to the pool of young first aiders.
Similarly, Job Emmanuel, Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Bayelsa State Branch, stressed the importance of “catching them young” to instill a culture of humanitarian service.
The students themselves expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. Michael Okori, a student, called the program a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” while another, Samuel Princess, said she now understands the difference between a “patient” and a “casualty.”
The training concluded with a certificate ceremony, with parents and community members applauding Nwokeoma for her “bold and impactful contribution to Bayelsa’s youth.”