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MY NYSC EXPERIENCE IN TEXT
Wow! Time flies fast. Memories from this 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 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 there, one wasn't always guaranteed access to running water and 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 grew accustomed to the regimented camp life.
I must admit that there was so much inconvenience living there those three weeks, 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 & Wale the codeded sharp bad guys, Wande the ladies man and other interesting roomies.
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 miss doing the karta and watching sensei teach self-defense), and I sometimes assisted the dance group. I also explored 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. Anyways, I chose to contribute to the 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 have mastered over the years which is very important for anyone who intends pursuing a career in management consulting to have (topic for another day). 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 colourful camp carnival which depicted the beauty of the various ethnicities and cultures of Nigeria - I also assisted my platoon's dance commitee with research in this 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! This is my final month 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 (shout-outs to all the wonderful teachers in the world, wishing them a rewarding teacher's day today, God bless you all), I have learnt a lot about the Nigerian system.
I would say, the journey has been worth it (regardless of the covid19 pandemic). I've acquired new professional skillets and certifications in digital-marketing, content-creation, mobile-graphics, human resources management, supply-chain and logistics management, as well as project management. I have also been able to change some of my personal values and philosophies about life, which no longer serve the person I am becoming, The Almighty's perfect masterpiece.
In a nutshell, my NYSC experience is the definition of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
© elileojo
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 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 there, one wasn't always guaranteed access to running water and 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 grew accustomed to the regimented camp life.
I must admit that there was so much inconvenience living there those three weeks, 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 & Wale the codeded sharp bad guys, Wande the ladies man and other interesting roomies.
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 miss doing the karta and watching sensei teach self-defense), and I sometimes assisted the dance group. I also explored 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. Anyways, I chose to contribute to the 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 have mastered over the years which is very important for anyone who intends pursuing a career in management consulting to have (topic for another day). 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 colourful camp carnival which depicted the beauty of the various ethnicities and cultures of Nigeria - I also assisted my platoon's dance commitee with research in this 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! This is my final month 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 (shout-outs to all the wonderful teachers in the world, wishing them a rewarding teacher's day today, God bless you all), I have learnt a lot about the Nigerian system.
I would say, the journey has been worth it (regardless of the covid19 pandemic). I've acquired new professional skillets and certifications in digital-marketing, content-creation, mobile-graphics, human resources management, supply-chain and logistics management, as well as project management. I have also been able to change some of my personal values and philosophies about life, which no longer serve the person I am becoming, The Almighty's perfect masterpiece.
In a nutshell, my NYSC experience is the definition of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
© elileojo
