NYSC is here to stay! It has been 50 years of fostering national unity and development through cross-fertilisation of ideas and culture that births togetherness and spirit of statehood.
The scheme is noted for ‘sending’ people across the geopolitical zones such that corp members experience an altogether unique environment in terms of food, cultural orientation, religious affiliation, and political aspirations.
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Life in camp comes its own ease and bliss, if you may. The euphoria of coming across people of diverse tongues and nationhood is delightful just as it creates panic of some sort – what to expect, how to act, questions to ask, will supposition and beclouded sentiments be proven right or otherwise, these and many enquiries troubles the eager heart desirous of wearing the green khaki and answering ‘corper wee’ on a daily basis, after all it is prove of being a graduate, not an easy feat.
Service year begins with an orientation camp for three weeks usually hosted in a large expanse of land and crammed with officials administering to different needs – armed forces, medical team, NYSC administrators, food vendors as well as clerical staff tendering to daily need of corp members.
Trainings both physical and mental are integral part of orientation, notwithstanding social night and carnival help drive home the point that we are social beings after all.
NYSC camps are strategically located across the length and breadth of Nigeria and in Anambra state, to which I was posted to, is named after a revered leader and politician, Nnamdi Azikiwe and hosted in Umuawulu/Mbaukwu community of Akwa-South LGA, about forty-five minutes drive from the state’s capital.
The camp opens with screening at the gate by both camp officials and men of the armed forces, candidates then proceed to commence registration, a significantly tedious process owing to shortage of hands and huge turnout on the part of students.
The stress – early morning calls, scanty nourishment, over inflated prices of commodities, security concerns, all help shapen the mind for service year especially being economical as having to cope with pastry sum of N30,000 in an harsh economy gradually becomes a reality. However, the fun part cannot be let out, meeting people trumps other temporary satisfaction, after all it is said that your network determines your network.
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Jerry Anietie 