My NYSC Experience

It's not everyday one gets to see such a beautiful girl in camps. I am blessed with beauty which came along with big behinds. As much as I am concerned, I went through hell in nysc camp. As a compulsory division of academics, I happened to serve in Delta Before heading to camp, I read some articles and blogs on others’ experiences. I knew I was in for an adventure. I also chose to write a research paper in one of our graduate level courses on implementing behavioural changes given the NYSC scheme, which was established “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youth of Nigeria and the promotion of national unity”. The pitch of the paper focused on 2 things:

  1.  Curbing the level of staff misbehaviour by making scapegoats
   2.  Encouraging youth engagement in nation building by rewarding those who volunteered to do their assignments in vulnerable places such as the north-east region.

Let me inject this point now- the first point was solely based on stories I heard of how corps members and staff alike would initiate sexual favours in order for the former to get what they wanted, that is, more suitable kits, hostels and desirable assignment locations. I went to camp believing the system was very inefficient and had already failed. More on point one later…state
You

 wake up to the tune of, ‘if you’re still sleeping…you’re wrong.’ You’re summoned to the parade ground by 5am, where you stand with your platoon and over 2000 other corps members, also known as Otondos. A few lead the entire camp in worship songs and prayer (Christian and Muslim prayers). We run or play sports, then off to prepare for the day.

Typical camp food breakfast: bread and tea or garri (grainy starch) and beans. I refused! Say no to constipation or diarrhoea, I mean beans?! I’ll eat my mama’s beans but no camp beans for me. Report to lectures by 9am where you fight for chairs or stand uncomfortably for a few hours. Go to lunch then report back to parade ground – All the while music playing on loud speakers and/or someone shouting at you, chasing you around with sticks.

Till this day, I still don’t understand the reason for the shouting or the sticks. Lol.

Evening activities: competitions, dances, relaxation, church services. Nigerian youth can dance! A little too inappropriately sometimes, but they can shake ‘em booties – that’s for sure! Even in church, young and old get DOWN when praising their Jesus, I mean, they shake everything! They say the best place to have a good time is at church. I concur.