The Bittersweet Taste of National Service
Serving our fatherland is mandatory in my country here in Nigeria, after tertiary education we all have the privilege to serve if our age is never above the standard age set for this service, we call it National Youth Service Corps which we abbreviate to NYSC.
This is compulsory for every student who has just concluded their program in any tertiary institution, it is a one-year service in which three weeks out of the one year is for training, things we are expected to do in our various states of deployment, teaching us how to greet people in their language and how to interact with the citizens of the state you are posted to.
In my country going for that one year of compulsory service is a great joy for our parents, they always believe that they have given us the best and are always happy and proud to say the children are serving now.
Wearing this uniform always brings respect for anyone, especially in the western part of the country, they always value people who are serving their fatherland, and they interact with them as if they are the second god, especially in a village that has is not exposed.
I am always envious of these clothes anytime I see people wearing them, the fitness and smartness they bring, make my dream of wearing the clothes one day, but not until they finally reach my turn, after graduation I was posted to the southern part of the country, going to that part of the country has always been my dream because I wish to explore, the training was quite impressive and we were treated well, no special treatment not until the posting was about to commence.
Well corruption is everywhere and we are preaching against it, I think the changes must start with us rather than criticizing the government, there was a lot of favoritism during this process, and everyone is bribing their way to the best place which would be comfortable, I think this should stecdzExxop since we all have equal rights then things should be done accordingly.
One thing I observe now is that people do not value people serving their fatherland anymore, they are now the targets of kidnappers, and the level of insecurity is higher than we expected in the country, some months ago, some corp members were posted and I have a neighbor who is among them, she was posted to the Eastern part of the country.
The day she left we were in contact with her, monitoring her journey just to keep her busy and lively while embarking on her journey, not too long we didn't hear from her and we were worried, it was just a disaster, we kept on calling and calling but to no avail, the next day the parents got a call from an unknown number and requested for a ransom of a million naira, the lady had been kidnapped, are parents started to run around and debate on how to get this unplanned situation that occur suddenly, they called the NYSC office and relate the situation on ground, the NYSC office told them that there is nothing they can do about.
I think this is uncalled for because the government should be able to provide adequate security measures for everyone ready to serve their fatherland not just feel concerned about their lives, I wouldn't say it should be scrapped because some people gain more from it by saving their allowance to establish themselves and also some depend solely for their survival for that one year.
The government created this initiative to learn more about each other's culture and this has helped to reduce tribalism in the country, but the issue of security should be paramount and people should be able to serve their fatherland in peace without antagonists.
NOTE:- ALL THE PICTURES ARE MINE
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w127e2 which the topic is tagged MANDATORY SERVICE
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The issue of insecurities in this country is a big issue that must be addressed before it's too late.
It is the only disadvantage for the NYSC
I hope the lady was rescued on time
Hahahaha you liked the uniform?
It's true. The other time I was passing by I heard a young man saying I must wear this "kaki" of NYSC. It's a uniform to behold really.
It's no news now that people tend to take advantage of things initiated for their own personal gains . Even bursary links are being altered and used as mediums for fraud, scholarships hijacked and now corpers are being kidnapped.
Most times when we use the phrase " this is Nigeria", our first thought is negativity. As though it's used to attest to a negativity plight. There's little government can do cos at the end , it would be abused. We just have to change personally nationally then governmentally.
When i saw the title, i said that is the exact way to describe NYSC, it is bitter and sweet. I was really happy going to serve but honestly it had to side, the good and the bad.
Great post☺️☺️
Every member of the National Youth Service Corps becomes a responsibility for the government, they initiated the program. It is disheartening seeing and hearing about how irresponsible some of these NYSC officials can be.
The whole process of getting the kidnapped victims should be on the government, but it is well.
I am yet to graduate, looking forward to that one year of service.
I remembered when my dad told me to wear my NYSC cap when I'm in transit. It was my brother that explicitly told him it doesn't scare away kidnappers.
Corp members are govt. properties but it's disheartening to hear the response in case of your friend.
I want to believe she got out unharmed.
She was released after paying the ransom
Ehyah!
I'm happy she got out, but the ransom would have cost her family members a lot. Above all she's alive
Indeed in the aspect of reconciliation, the government have tried to bring people from different tribes and regions together fostering oneness in the society/country at large but it would be even better when they make sure the lives of this individuals are safe wherever they are sent to serve.
By the way you look sweet sixteen in your photos 😍
Insecurity is one of the major reason why people are feeling skeptical about serving their fatherland, whereas it shouldn't be, the government ought to provide utmost security to their citizens.
NYSC is actually a good initiative if we can do it the right way.
They see Corps members as government's children and are easy target for the kidnappers, requesting a huge amount of money as ransom. Being a corper comes with respect but the insecurity is just too much.
Security is really beautiful more enhanced in the country
#dreemerforlife#
Military service is compulsory in most countries, unlike Venezuela, where a woman can choose whether to do it or not. Your experience is an interesting example although clearly there is a lot of insecurity to be faced.
#dreemerforlife
It is indeed bitter sweet, it's fun in a way, but the she gets you'll experience alongside is plenty.
#dreemerforlife