MY NYSC EXPERIENCE 2019/2020

Wow! Time flies fast. Memories from the 5th day (in November) last year, 2019, remain fresh in my mind.

It was my very first day at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp where I met several others like myself who had left the comfort of their homes/families for sake of fulfillment, excitement or perhaps sheer necessity; to experience something different from the predictability of college life.

Apparently, my first 60 hours staying at the camp were not as fun as I thought it should be... Perhaps I wasn't the only one who felt this way after realizing that: one had to share a room which was poorly ventilated with 29 others of akin gender, one also had to leave anything one was doing to report to the parade ground immediately one heard the sound of the loud beagle, one would be all dressed in white 98% of the three weeks one had to spend in camp, one wasn't always guaranteed access to running water nor a socket for re-charging essential devices.

By weekend, being an optimistic person who enjoys overcoming challenges and seeing that I wasn't alone in the scheme; I quickly adapted to the regimented camp life ""after all na just 3 weeks na"".

To be honest, there was so much inconvenience living there those three weeks but luckily for me - I had wonderful roommates, they always had a way of easing the camp stress through funny jokes, intellectual discussions, and life stories. There was Muiz my immediate bunk neighbor the comedian, Vanatus the computer programmer, Chinedu the pharmacist, Basit, Greg & Bidemi the gentlemen, Alfred the drummer and human tavern, Franklin the carefree, Jude, Sodiq & Wale the coded sharp bad guys, Wande the ladies man and other interesting roomies. Asides my roommates, I got acquainted with some really interesting people like: Isi, Ihechi and Florence from my karate class, Stephen and Feranmi from my music class, Kechi, Tchidi, Nkem and Emmanuella from the debate committee, Roja, Pelumi, and Lola my platoon's female rapper (she was fire); and several other interesting people. Lest I forget, I also met my dynamic managers (course-mates from college) like: Bestman, Rosemary, Daniel, Blessing, Isoemi, Titi and a few others. 

By my 9th day at the camp I was beginning to squeeze out the fun in the uneasy camp life - I sha no fit kill masef. I joined the camp music group (shakara people with sweet voices), the camp karate class (I enjoyed doing the karta and watching sensei teach self-defense), and at other times I assisted my platoon's cultural dance group. I also achieved my goal of exploring the nooks and crannies of the orientation camp, and socialized. 

Well, at the camp there were a total of 10 platoons but I was a member of platoon 6 - "" don't know why my ID numbers always end in 6's though"" (thinking out loud). Anyways, I contributed to my platoon's success by joining the debate committee where I helped structure the thought sequence whoever was to represent my platoon was to apply when giving his/her argument - a skill I developed over the years which is very important for pursuing a career in management consulting (the third career path I fell in love with). Well, fortunately for my platoon the blueprint I created with the support of my other committee members enabled my platoon emerge 2nd place at the final debate competition. 

Nothing bore me to death during my stay at the camp like the SAED (Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurship Development) lectures. Probably because I wasn't getting enough sleep, or because I wasn't passionate about the topics being discussed, wait! maybe it's actually because the atmosphere during those moments just felt perfect for a nap. 

My favorite activity during my stay at the camp wasn't marching, I particularly found karate class and the Man O' War drills fun; because these activities had some elements of mind-training. Through them, I was able to sharpen my focus and concentrate using all senses.

We had a colorful camp carnival which depicted the beauty of the various cultures in Nigeria - I also contributed to my platoon's success by researching the Ijaw culture and helping to building a boat for the carnival competition, we depicted the Ijaw tribe and came 2nd place. 

Funny enough, it wasn't until my last day at the camp that I remembered that I had neither had my hair cut nor my beards shaved - After the Uber driver had dropped me off at my house, I thought about the fact that I still had 11 months to go.

Well, to God be the glory! Today turned out to be my final day in the scheme after serving in the private sector as a digital-marketing executive, and then, in the public sector as a secondary school teacher - I worked with wonderfully supportive staff and supervisors - amazingly, I met some of my old teachers from high-school teaching in my second Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), they taught in the senior school while I taught in the junior school (shout-outs to all the wonderful teachers in the world, God bless you all). 

I have come to realize that despite the poor quality and standard of living in Nigeria, Nigerians remain a smart, industrious, strong, cheerful and beautiful people. 

Without any doubts, my NYSC experience has been worth it, regardless of the covid19 pandemic and the slight health challenge I had while the first lock-down was ongoing, for which God has taken the glory as at today - HALLELUJAH!. The sit at home policy enabled me to develop my writing and analytical skills. I also ceased the opportunity to take some professional courses in digital-marketing, content-writing, mobile-graphics, human resources management, supply-chain and logistics management, as well as project management (which is still in view).

Through my NYSC service year, I have further grown to be more tolerant of people, emotionally intelligent, open, honest, confident, assertive, organized, how-not-to-take-things personal and how to be more responsible. I have also been able to do away with my philosophies about life, which do not align with the person I am fast becoming, "God's Perfect Gift ". 

In a nutshell, my NYSC experience is the definition of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

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