NYSC IN THE LETTERS
OF ALPHABET
(MY NYSC STORY)
MOBILIZATION
Spending
four good years in the prestigious department of International Relations is not
a child’s play but that is not the real deal, you know what the real deal is?
The real deal is surviving the reality of Obafemi Awolowo University under
different Vice-Chancellors and still be sane and humane, that is the real deal.
The
four years of studying International Relations came to a productive end in July
2019 and another journey immediately was booked for August 20th,
2019 and that was the day my NYSC story started. It felt like a joke and
unrealistic in the first place until the mobilization was confirmed for all and
sundry to check their respective names. Hopes were not as high but miraculously
we were mobilized and all was set for registration and commencement of the
journey. Registrations were completed and all was set except for the call-up
letter that was a little bit delayed.
CALL UP LETTER
Call
up letter is like the visa and ticket to wherever the managements of NYSC has decided
to throw one and it always comes with premium tears. Yes! Premium tears because
that is when the reality of your new location will come on you and in my case,
it was not different, in fact, it came with maximum premium tears, why?
As
part of youthful belligerence, son of man desired and wanted to run as far away
from home as possible but you know, it is said that things will and may not
always go as we have planned them to go, it can be heartbreaking but that is
the reality we all have to face at one point of our life or the other. It is
why it is very important not to always put one’s mind at expecting things to go
as we plan or desire it to be, sometimes the creator of the Universe have a
plan for us but our heart desires most times do blur our sense of seeing and
discernment. I was also a victim and here is how.
I
chose Adamawa state, Cross River State, Ogun State, and I think Kano, you can
imagine how far I desired to run away from Osun State but call up letter came
late in the night on that Friday and guess where I was posted? Ekiti State! Now
you see why to call up letter was an agent of maximum tears for me. Like Ekiti
State in the southwest of Nigeria, less than three hours away from home with a
transport fare of one thousand naira only, you can imagine right, now bring
protective African Parents into your imagination. Yes! That was to be my
reality but you know a lot of times when God is busy arranging a better
tomorrow for us, we are always busy seeing the present. “Maybe that is the plan
of God for you Sola,” my dad said as we departed to go and sleep. He must have
gone to sleep with a joyful heart that it is Ekiti and that I was not going to
be far away from home, but at my end, it was almost a sleepless night full of
maximum premium tears, very sure God must have laughed at me that night saying
“If only you know my plans for you are of good and not of evil…”
CAMP
Ask
a thousand and one corps members worldwide, trust me, the response you will get
is “Camp was the best part of NYSC experience” well before you start quoting
me, that may be untrue for those that were not active during the course of the
twenty-one days, but for those of us that began our service right from the
camp, trust me, the camp was the best part of my NYSC experience.
The
journey to Ise-Orun/Emure Ekiti where the permanent orientation camp of Ekiti
State is located was a peaceful one physically but emotionally was full of
anxiety, fear and uncertainty especially with the reality of the fact that I
did not pick Ekiti. My spirit got fired up when I boarded the bus going to the
camp and discovered that everyone on the bus with me did not pick Ekiti as
well, at that point, I became motivated and let go of all worries because I
hate to worry when others are worrying, instead, like I have been living in
Ekiti State for the last ten years, I started answering questions regarding
Ekiti and NYSC as if I were the PA to the Director-General of NYSC.
I
began my leadership role and service to humanity from the very minute I stepped
into the campground. Everyone was naïve and some afraid because of several
uniform men around and being a military man by blood (my late father was a
retired military personnel), I acted differently from every other prospective
corps members present that moment which intrigued the uniform men because I
carried me with such a charisma that the rest had to depend on me for
survival at that point. Well one factor responsible for the automatic
leadership role must have been my experience as an assistant class rep during the
four years of undergraduate.
We
were searched and taken through every procedure and had to wait until the last
person using my pen was done before proceeding to the next stage. Instantly I
started making friends and it was a hell of a fun meeting pretty ladies and
handsome brothers from different part of the country. That day, I became more
proud that I am a Nigerian.
It
was time to go for the clothes provided by the management of NYSC including
the khaki and boom, I found myself performing leadership role again, funny
right? Upon getting to the covered pavilion, my platoon inspectors (Daddy and
Mommy Yo!) instead of handing me my entitled properties, collected my documents
and pleaded with me to assist in arranging the clothes as they ought to be for
everyone to come and pick. I thought it was going to be just about arranging so
I put my very best into it so as to be fast and continue with the rest of the
camp adventure but you see I was wrong again. The reality of that came on me
when Mommy Yo! Sat down and asked that I continue with the arrangements and
handing over, and that was where my Camp experience started from.
Gradually
the camp started getting filled and after working tirelessly at the covered
pavilion, I was eventually freed and asked to go and prepare for the remaining
events of the day. Could not really do much with my new roommates in the room
before the sound of the trumpet was blown like Jesus was around to say hi
before the rapture. In our whites, we were assembled on the plain field under the
hot sun (under the sun or in the rain) and the adventure continued.
The military drill started immediately without much waste of time, I thought I had military
blood in me until parade parade shun grabbed my muscles. We were grouped and in
no time some few set of people were being selected for what I had no idea of.
Initially thought those being excused were not good enough until I was touched.
I was temporarily happy thinking I have escaped but again I was wrong, I was
simply touched and excluded because I was assumed to be good. The happiness
immediately disappeared as where I was taken to, was harder than where I was
coming from.
After
much drilling, I emerged as the SWEARING IN PARTY COMMANDER. Father Lord of
Heaven, why me? With the title came a lot of rigorous activities and
responsibilities. Trust me, humans are the hardest creatures to lead but with
the help of God and four years of experience as the assistant class rep of my
class and other leadership positions during the course of undergraduate, it was
not really as hard but still hard not just as hard.
The fun of the camp continued after the opening ceremony and division into
different platoons. When it was time to select the leaders of the platoon,
guess what I did? Yes, you are right, I ran away and hide, after all, it
was call up letter I was given not a death sentence. We voted and jubilated when
the candidates for each position were elected. Yes, even inside the camp of 21
days, we still played the game of politics, I did not study International
Relations for fun.
Ambrose
Victor became our leader. I love that guy’s charisma and leadership qualities,
some of which I later got to learn as we became close and related like
brothers. Camp activities started earnestly and different things were
highlighted for us to accomplish. I volunteered to be the coach of the female
volleyball team (I love volunteering activities a lot, no stress of selection
process, just go do your best and prove your worth), another experience and
adventure that will not leave my memory for years to come, all thanks to
Victoria, Victor Onoja and Samuel, we won the trophy! One important thing I
learnt more during the course of 21 days was TEAMWORK. Your leadership
experience will only be successful when you have a productive and result
oriented team to work with.
Camp
activities were fun and of course stressful. Having served as the Swearing in
party commander, Platoon Seven Parade commander, guard one commander, cultural
dance drummer, drama drummer, Volleyball coach (Champion team) and a whole lot
of other activities, it is expected that PPA posting will be automatic state
capital or at least a place not really as interior and again, I WAS WRONG but
this time it was more heartbreaking because of all the activities I was
innocently engaged in. I got engaged in all of them unintentionally, it was
during the last days friends and families inside camp started raising my hope
about being posted to capital because of obvious reasons which they have seen.
And
guess where your favourite son of man was posted? AISEGBA EKITI, a rural
community in Gbonyin Local Government of Ekiti that has not had electricity
power supply for the last ten years. Yes! You read the right thing.
PPA
Place
of Primary Assignment! Well, the truth is, Aisegba may not have an electricity
power supply but trust me they have love and every other thing needed in a sane
human society.
Because
I studied International Relations and the fact that Ekiti State does not have
any other industry except education (still wondering why the state is not the largest producer of rice and other quality agricultural products in the world),
I was posted to Holy Trinity Group of Schools to teach Government (my favourite
subject any day anytime and anywhere) but I did not teach government, rather I
thought English Language and Literature-In-English. Very funny right?
Well
the reason was simple, there was an existing Government who was not ready to
leave the subject (the subject can be addictive to teach and to learn if you
are really committed to it), and as a result of that, I was asked of other
subjects I can teach, with vast experience and knowledge of teaching English
Language and Literature-In-English (my life) coupled with the fact that I was
an art student back then at Unique Minds International College, Opa, Ile-Ife, I
quickly suggested the two subjects and without much stress, I was allocated the
two subjects. I was very happy not just because I have another opportunity to
impact lives but also because I was going to be teaching the two subjects I am
so passionate about.
Accommodation
was secured (not giving you guys the full gist of that) and I had to sleep on
the cold floor for almost a week before a senior colleague decided to take me
in pending the time the school will allocate my own personal bed to me. But the story did not end there.
After
four weeks of passionately teaching English Language and Literature-In-English
to the students of SSS 1-3 and giving the art students the boldness and the motivation they needed to remain and excel even as an art student as against
the popular misconception about art class, a major issue came up, the school
needed a science teacher that can take Chemistry which I was not of course qualified
for, but there was someone else that was qualified for it but posted to a
Primary School, Victor Onoja an excellent graduate of the department of
Biochemistry, Kogi State University.
The principal of my school was confused on what to do as no corps member was
willing to switch to go and teach in primary school. The principal did not
inform me because according to him, he did not want to let me go as one of his
staff and those he was willing to let go for the swapping deal were not coming
forth because nobody wanted to go to a primary school to teach.
The
art students were doing fine but the science students were suffering, then I
became passionate and felt pity for them. I painfully went to plead with the
principal to give my subjects back to the person taking them before so I can go
for the swapping because as a versatile individual, I believed I would fit into
the primary education sector. My principal was initially reluctant but because
he cannot eat his cake and have it, I managed to convince him by offering him a proposal that if I am needed at any point to help my students, he should call
on me and with that he finally agreed.
The
day of the swapping came and painfully I left the senior secondary school to go
and become a primary school teacher. Everyone in my school went against the
decision but we have already concluded before even informing them, LGI made the
swapping official and I relocated to Liberation Nursery and Primary School,
Aisegba-Ekiti where my service to humanity adventure continued.
I
have had the experience of dealing with children in the past but that was as an MC
and a playful uncle/brother never as a teacher, but with a mind made up for the
worse, I went for the adventure.
I
was allocated Primary five (5) and those kids were super amazing, though it was
not as easy in the beginning but we were able to reach a compromise and got
going very well. We had a slogan in my class “Talk to each other with respect
and treat each other with Love”, the proprietor was surprised and in no time, gradually
the behaviour of the children changed, we got closer and closer and I was able
to build an excellent relationship with all of them because I did not allow for
teacher-pupil relationship, rather I developed a friend-friend and
brother-brother-sister relationship.
Trust
me, teaching in a primary school is more stressful because you have a full
class and day to yourself unlike secondary school where you have periods and
staff room, here you are everything. But was able to adjust and flow well
during my stay. I knew when my kids are tired and when they are motivated to
work, occasionally, I tell them stories both fictional and non-fictional
stories, other times out of my meagre money, I used to sponsor their snacks, an
act that became a part of me when I realized some of them used to come to
school on empty stomachs which affected their performances, and so in my best
capacity, I made sure each of my pupils leaves school smiling and eager to come
to school the following day.
My
relationship with the proprietor was not that of staff to a boss relationship but
that of a father to son relationship. I loved his ideologies towards his work and
his charisma and I gave him nothing less than my very best.
It
was time for the first term examination and seeing the cost of typing and
printing in Aisegba is very expensive due to the absence of electricity, I took
it upon myself to type all of the exam questions and do all of the printings
using the school’s printer and my rickety laptop. It was an adventure that
earned me some form of abuse from fellow corps members owing to the fact that
they felt I was doing more than expected, but I did not mind neither did I
listen because I just wanted to serve and be relevant but above all, to be
remembered for something.
Did
same for the second term and in no time, the school became my second place of
abode. The third term came and it was time to prepare my brothers and sisters for
the upcoming common entrance which COVID-19 will not later allow them to write.
In collaboration with the proprietor, I volunteered to take the kids on extra
classes strictly for common entrance preparation. That singular act changed my
timing and scheduling. I was now resuming to school earlier and leaving later
while still running my own personal mini-tutorial centre for the JAMB and WAEC
students alongside my already existing home lesson which I was doing almost for
free. The stress was much but I was happy going through the stress because I
was happy and passionate about what I was doing. COVID-19 came and disrupted
everything but before the unceremonious Passing Out Parade, I made sure I
finished typing and printing the school’s third term examination scripts to
enable the school function optimally with speed upon resumption and of course
had an agreement with my Proprietor now daddy to call on my if needed on the
condition that if I am still available and around Ekiti State.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE (CDS) PROJECT
Of
course, NYSC Story is never completed without CDS project. Served as the Social
Director for my community and it was a very interesting tenure, though the
pandemic will not allow for proper enjoyment but the short period was worth
every moment of it as I was able to initiate and with the help of my team
execute social events that further brought the corps members of Aisegba-Ekiti
together and united us all. Activities such as Social Night, early morning
Saturday jogging which was executed with the support of the sports director,
online social activities and many more that the little time could permit. But
that was not all.
My
CDS group was about educational development (Education and I are definitely 5
& 6 just as Chelsea FC with 3) and it was mandated for us to execute a
project along that line. After much deliberations, we were able to agree on organizing
“AISEGBA INTER-SCHOOL INTELLECTUAL COMPETITION” which massive participation of
all levels of classes from the primary up to the Senior Secondary level. It was
indeed a success and we were able to make our impact.
The success of the event was as a result of the hard work of the committee where I
diligently served as the Head of Logistics and fellow corps members who
cooperated maximally to make it a landmark success.
NIGERIA CORPERS’ CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Oh
yes, I served in the NCCF as well. In everything you do, never leave God factor
out, no matter how busy and occupied you may be, trust me, never be too busy to
serve God. I was not really as frequent at NCCF because the location was far
from my base and another reason was simply that I was the bible study
teacher at my RCCG church in Aisegba, notwithstanding, I never missed the joint
zonal fellowship because I was one of the drummers at the NCCF and Ope (Music
Director) will not even allow me to miss the service. NCCF was fun and intriguing
and every moment spent there was worth it especially on the drums.
AND THAT IS MY NYSC EXPERIENCE IN THE LETTERS OF ALPHABET.
©
ABSOL
