The quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you,
ask what you can do for your country” by former
American President John Kennedy appropriately
captures the essence of Chibuzor Miran Azubuike’s
book The Girl Who Found Water.
It’s a memoir
Bauchi State before insurgency siege.
Azubuike is an epitome of what change truly is in a
hopeless community. The story is told in a simple
language that recurs and endears it to readers. In 114
pages, Azubuike recounts a story full of emotional
trauma, as she saw her being posted to Bauchi State
to serve as a punishment rather than a blessing.
Her reaction is typical of Corper members from the
south posted to the north, because of Boko Haram
insurgency. Apparently posted to what could be
termed a harsh environment, Azubuike recounts how
she put up a good fight to achieve her goal of making
impact in the community of Bigi Tudun Wada, a
community with over six thousand population that got
water from only one well. Azubuike took up the
challenge, as her Community Development Project to
provide clean water for the people
According to her, “The budget for the borehole was
N600,000, but I was optimistic I could raise it”.
Some individuals and ministries rejected her
proposals, but her persistence paid off when her
project was commissioned and she was named Lady
Haske (a clean lady) and also crowned Sarkin Aiyuka
(king of hard work) by the community. The book also
provides a broad picture of the average Nigerian who
has very little knowledge of his country. As such, he
relies on half-truths or lies from other people until he
encounters the local community and is enchanted by
what he sees.
The Girl Who Found Water gives a picture of efforts
being made to sustain the intent of the NYSC scheme
to integrate Nigerians. The book is an inspirational
piece to those who are being discouraged by family,
friends or society. Chibuzor had to overcome her fears
despite the discouragements from the society and her
friends.
''She had so much expectation from her service year.
As she put it, “I wanted to learn a foreign language
and engage in meaningful activities that would add to
my CV and increase my chances of getting a good job
after the mandatory service year”.
The Girl Who Found Water encourages today’s youths,
especially aspiring corps members to report to
whichever state they are deployed instead of
struggling to get redeployed, as one kcan never know
where his or her would excel.
Azubuike’s style is captivating and entertaining and
makes for easy reading. Other corpers will be inspired
to follow her example and give quality service during
their service year. Buoyed by her success in making
water available for a landlocked community, Ms
Azubuike is setting up her NGO project where she
could continue impacting society through service.
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