MY NYSC EXPERIENCE by Obiagwu Chidi

This is our first Edition of 'My NYSC experience', and this would continue. Chidi Obiagwu is a batch C corp member serving in Bayelsa State and will be passing out by October.

As a University undergraduate, I always admired youth corpers because I saw them as role models, people who sacrifice a year for the development of our nation. I loved their outfit; especially their jungle boots. Whenever I saw a Youth Corper pass, I would stare till they go out of my sight, always dreaming of the day I would be in their shoes, and the adventure it comes with.

One year after graduation, I was mobilized. I was so happy; one would think I won a lottery. Then came the posting letter, and I was scared to check because “the fear of being posted to the North, was the beginning of wisdom”. I summoned courage and checked, I got posted to Bayelsa State. Again, I was happy; I was just reasoning how I would chop the “oil money” in Bayelsa. On the 4th of November precisely, the journey to Bayelsa began. On reaching camp, I saw the registration queue, the longest queue I’ve seen in my life. After hours of standing, it finally got to my turn. I was checked in, and given a bed space and everything needed for the rest of my stay in camp.

At 4:30am, I heard d sound of the Burgle. I rushed to the parade ground with other “otondos”, and the morning drills began. As the days passed by, I made new friends. Friends from different tribes, and I learnt new things. Of course, mammy market was also part of the experience. Mammy market saved me many times, as the food prepared in camp kitchen was not always wonderful. Despite this fact, I never joked with my meal ticket, as its importance cannot be underestimated. Also, I was a member of the OBS (orientation broadcasting service), it was an avenue for me to learn, and to skip parade sometimes. The best part was, we had really beautiful ladies in OBS, so I was always happy to be on duty. The first week wasn’t fun at all, but by the second week I had already adapt and was comfortable being with my new friends. The third week was d best, we had a lot of activities and the thought of camp coming to an end made me sad.
Camp finally came to an end, and the REAL DEAL was up in my face. I got posted to Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state and when I resumed duty at my Place of primary assignment, I had to face the challenge of getting a house and coping with the excessively high cost of living in Bayelsa. I boarded a “keke napep” after work; it was my first day at work. The distance to my destination was only a stone throw, and the keke driver asked me to pay 70naira. Where I grew up, that journey was worth like 30naira. I had to pay, of course in tears, the others paid like it wasn’t even a problem, and they were already used to it. After that day, I learned to bargain with the driver before using public transport in Bayelsa. As we all know, “Once bitten, twice shy”. I had a lot of experience; from visiting the hometown of the Ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to learning how to greet the Bayelsa way. I also had the privilege to impact positively in the lives of my students; getting books and pencils for all, and sandals for some; as many of them came from poor homes and walked barefooted to school.

I experienced rainfall, almost every day, and I got used to the Bayelsa floods. I got to meet a lot of persons. Cool people, funny people, and people that have become a part of my life. Nysc has made me understand Life and Survival better. It makes me see life from a whole new perspective, it makes me know how important selfless service could be, it has made me mix and learn from people of different tribes. Nysc could be stressful, but it’s an experience no graduate should miss.

My service year is already winding up, and I will miss a lot of people. But we all have to move on in life at some point, and always hope for a better tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing your story Chidi...

Thanks for stopping by and reading, have a lovely evening.