My NYSC Experience

Hi guys, welcome to my blog.

Today, I have a juicy post for you. I'm writing about my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) experience.

Disclaimer: This is about the longest content I have on this platform as of now. It's a lot, but you'll enjoy it, I can promise you. So, grab a seat and thank me. 

As I prepared for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) last year, I knew exactly where I wanted to serve and the other things I wanted to do...

They summed up to be:

Grow spiritually 

Make impact

Establish solid relationships

In that exact order…

Wrote them down as a guide and ran with this vision.

I went back again to check my progress, and boy, I aced a whooping 80% 🤩🤩🤩

At this point, I can lay my Khaki to rest and hang my boots 😊

Nigeria's ours...

Nigeria we serve!

Whoosh! How did twelve months go by so quickly? Wow! 

Tomorrow is my Passing Out Parade (POP)  

Meaning the end of the service year. Congratulations to all 2021 Batch B stream one corp members. I'll love to hear about your experiences. Did you enjoy it? If you could, will you do it again or not? 

For me, I enjoyed some areas of it and would do better if I had the chance to do it again, but we move. We only serve once. However, I know that this post will be a template for some of you, and that's why I'm taking my time to write this. My wrists hurt, I've typed a couple of things already, but I'm doing this for you. 😉

My only request is that you read it, learn from it as is peculiar to you, and share with your friends, especially Prospective Corps Members (PCMs)

The scheme comprises four parts; the orientation phase, which is a three weeks training in the state camp, Primary Place of Assignment (PPA), where you're posted after the orientation for work, Community Development Service (CDS) which is targeted at having corpers give back to their community through outreach, projects and so on, and POP, which is the winding down ceremony. 

I started serving in July 2021, and I had it in mind to document my experience one way or another, but aside from my private journals, I've not done much publicly. I know I'll skip some details, but I'll try as much as possible to condense this past year into this post. 

The plan for this post is to write it all, as much as I remember. The good, bad and ugly. The blessings and the impact. What I gained and what I gave. Do you get it?

Orientation Camp

Like I said before, NYSC begins with a three weeks orientation camp. I served in Edo state and the camp was at Okada.

Camp is fun, find the fun and forget the discomfort, it's only temporary. Like any other camp experience, it is a camp.

These are some things I observed in my camp, though I know every camp differs, I hope you can find one or two useful things.

First, the place is unnecessarily expensive. Try as much as possible to buy all you can before going in.

Asides parade, find other activities and programs that would be useful to you post-camp and participate in them. There are a couple of organizations that come to train Corp members. Take advantage of them. Some even issue certificates. In my opinion, it makes more sense than the parade cos it'd be relevant after camp, unlike the parade.

You'd meet different people; clean, dirty, and in between. Your hygiene is your responsibility, take care. A public toilet will always be a public toilet.

As for the khaki uniform, don't be in a hurry to slim fit yours if it isn't your size. The tailors in my camp charged extremely for it, as much as #1500 and above, which again, in my opinion, is a waste of money. 

First off, look for someone you can exchange with. There'd be people that need the size you have, it'd save you money to exchange instead of adjusting. That's what I did. Same with the jungle boots. Just pray and trust God to bring someone that has what you need and vice versa your way.

I don't think I need to tell you about the crazy guys and even camp officials that disturb girls. It's crazy, just maintain your standards.

The camp comprised different activities like sports, lectures, skill acquisition classes, inter-platoon competitions in drama, beauty contests, cultural dance, march past, etc. 

I joined the drama group of my platoon and acted as the mother of one guy in the drama. Very funny something sha.

I also took part in Red Cross Society training and Financial Inclusion training. They were really interesting.

They misspelt my names here sha

On the last day, we were issued posting letters and departed for our various PPAs.

Primary Place of Assignment

I was posted to a school in Benin, which I wanted. After documentation at the Local Government secretariat, we went on a two-week break to prepare for work. 

My people, that's where the stress began. The first school I was posted to, a girls-only school which I already fell in love with, rejected me. They had enough corpers at the time and lacked accommodation for me. Insert real tears. I began to process reposting and that's how I found myself in this school. 

The first few weeks were super stressful. The students were so rude and crude. My very disciplined self repulsed it. I thought I wouldn't survive, but I did. Praise break. 

I wanted to change the school, but it didn't work out. After struggling for so long, I finally settled down to do my job and countdown to departure. 

I went back to the plans that made me choose to teach teenagers and started working on it. 

About 90% of the students are morally bankrupt and that's a very ugly experience for anyone to have. They are so rude, crude, and razz. What's even more annoying is that some teachers claim that's how other students are. I always disagreed with them on that point. 

I was not going to have any of their indiscipline at all. Keeping quiet wasn't an option for me and so I would shun rubbish character, discipline as much as I could, and commend those that stood out for the right thing. 

The disrespect and rudeness didn't reduce, it must have increased sef, but I didn't drop my standards. What was also annoying was the permissiveness of even the school authority. 

There are still disciplined and morally upright children in other schools. Instead of joining hands to fight against it, they preferred to insist on it, and of course, the students grew worse. 

When I'd complain in the staff room, the response will usually be "all students are like this now" or "just leave them" I never agreed with them sha, I would do my best to discipline as much as I could while still working on impacting them anyways. 

One of the teachers even told me one day to be careful because some of them are possessed. When I spoke to a friend about it, she said I'm also possessed by the Holy ghost! Word!

Impact Made

It was hard, but worth it in the end. A few of them became better and that's the joy. I went ahead to mentor a few of them more closely, because he that has sense deserves to have more sense. 

Would give some students my books to read and return with a summary of what they learned. And when we were leaving, my friend and I put some money together and got some of them books as parting gifts.

These are books I wish I read as a teenager 🤧

By the way, growing up, there were always books in my house, I just didn't catch the fire early enough.

That's why among other things I did there, I tried to inculcate the reading culture in some of them. 

I was very intentional and committed to shortening the learning curve of the students. I usually told them that if at my age I know ABC, by being their teacher, they should know at least ABCDEF…MNO after my service year, because I was teaching from my heart, soul, and spirit. 

Tried as much as possible to correct, reprove, commend and encourage them. I shared some experiences and let them pick my brain on some issues. I let them access my wisdom as they deemed fit. 

Asides from the Montessori curriculum and syllabus from the ministry of education, I developed a curriculum for them. I didn't just teach them Biology, Agricultural Science and Marketing, I made sure to teach them about life. 

The life lessons revolved around the wheel of life theory. I spoke to the other teachers about it, and shared the vision with them, they caught it. Then we pitched the idea to the proprietor and it was approved. 

Read up on the wheel of life theory here.

It became a weekly class, included on the timetable across all the classes, and to be honest, this was the part of teaching I looked forward to the most. As early as days before, I'd have typed content for it. 

So we named this course Life Building Seminar. As I said, the topics we taught them revolved around the wheel of life concept. We taught them the idea of the concept and told them the different parts of the wheel and how important it is to invest intentionally in these areas of their life if they would be sound adults. 

We talked about: 

Spirituality

Personal brand

Personal growth and development

Financial mastery

Health and fitness

Friendship and association

Career and Business

Calling and purpose

Life of legacy

Relationships

Gender talk. 

 

The students were grouped into two classes according to their age; junior secondary and senior secondary. And every week, we'd teach one of the topics, with illustrations, confessions, and room for questions. 

I'd research and come up with content for each topic and task the team to contribute as well. It was a really rich curriculum, those students got gold for free. I just hope they know that. 

I know that outward change is weak. So targeting their mindset was a better route to making them behave better. Instead of just complaining and condemning bad character, which I did a lot, by the way, I was doing a lot of hard and deep work too. And I'm sure the seeds sown will bear fruits. Even if it takes time. 

These are things I wish I wish I knew as a teenager, but no regrets. It was a lot of work, believe me. I could have rested during those times (there was nothing on the timetable for me sef) but I know it is not in vain. Someone there will make better choices in life and that's enough payment for me. 

During this season, my eyes opened a lot. First, parenting in some families is nothing to write home about. Do people even learn about it or do they just have children and live with them till they grow up and leave the house? I'm really curious o. 

I'm not yet a mother but I have a curriculum I'm developing for my children. One of my journals is tagged prophetic motherhood, cos it's a big deal. It's just surprising that people take it casually like this. God, please.  

Another Ugly Side

People of Yahweh, the educational system of Nigeria is a mess. There's so much rot and corruption and it's so disgusting. Children are mentored on dishonesty by people that should build them up. I weep. 

I've heard of the 'miracle center' rubbish before now. But seeing it live is alarming. Back then in my days, if you tried to cheat during an exam, you'd know within yourself that you were doing something wrong. But these ones don't even know. Like, it's their normal. Hey God! I'm weeping. 

If I ever find myself in the educational sector after now, especially as an authority, I'll change a lot. First, I'll shut down some schools, send some teachers back to school and then reorient the students on positive values.

I tell my students that depending on an expo for a test or exam is simply proving that you've given up on your brain and its ability to serve you. That shouldn't be. 

It's particularly painful to me because I teach well. So what are you cheating for? I'm that teacher that will ask you to tear your script and discard it if you were reported to have cheated. That's right.

Zero tolerance for indiscipline and nothing less. I've done it. A certain class cheated in my test last term. Before the test, they had written the answers on the wall. The invigilator reported, I went to the class, confirmed it, and scored everyone zero.

One other student took her note to the hall and copied from it. Subtracted fifteen marks from her score. One of the teachers tried to beg for her, saying she had not copied long before she was caught. My response was: "what if she wasn't caught?" I made it clear to her that I wasn't judging the action, but the intent and audacity. Like how? 

Several times, their rudeness and gross disrespect got through to me and weighed me down. Need I say I cried? I did. It got me questioning my efforts and approach. 

A very discouraging place to be mentally and emotionally, but then, there was my roommate and friend who would always tell me "you're doing the right thing. They don't value what you stand for, that's why. Don't let it weigh you down" Thank you, babe. 

Of course, we were going through the same thing, but I think she has a thicker skin than I do. That's why even though I still love teaching, I don't recommend that school to anyone I know. The system is nothing to write home about and there are other better schools out there. (I hope so)

Concerning CDS

CDS means Community Development Service. It is designed such that corpers give back to their community through outreach, trainings, sensitizations etc. Depending on the LGA, there are a couple of CDS groups and corp members are placed in one of them depending on their qualifications. 

Doctors, lawyers, and other professionals have special groups. Also, belonging to certain organizations like the Red Cross Society can dictate what group you'll be added to. While others are placed randomly.

For me, I joined the Red Cross Society in camp but didn't want to use that as a determinant for my CDS group. Instead, I presented a different training: Financial Inclusion which I also participated in camp. I was added to the SERVICOM CDS group and I loved it there. SERVICOM means Service Compact. Our duties include sensitizing the public on their rights and responsibilities among other things. 

We had a couple of outreach, where we educated the masses on different topics. 

Breast cancer awareness was done in October last year. We enlightened the traders and buyers in a certain market. While there was a general speaker who spoke using a public address system, the rest of the group moved around and spoke to traders individually. And this opened my eyes to the ignorance in our dear nation. 

I walked up to a couple of traders and spoke to them about the meaning of and methods of preventing breast cancer. While a few of them were receptive, most of them showed resistance. 

One woman, in particular, said she wasn't going to listen because it is not her portion and she covers her breasts with the blood of Jesus. Wow, ma! Sheer ignorance! The blood of Jesus is for the remission of sins, not for your breasts. 

We went to some schools and spoke to the students on different topics like Examination malpractice, cultism, menstrual hygiene, and sexual abuse.

A poetry competition and arts exhibition was also organized for students of some secondary schools. I served as a member of the panel of judges here and the winners were awarded cash prizes.

We also spoke to the market women on financial education. I was the lead speaker here and I spoke in pidgin for a long while. It was a big deal, I was scared the day before.

Growing up, pidgin was taboo in my house. Like, speak it and face my dad's wrath, literally. They wanted us to be fluent in English and so we hardly spoke it.

I hadn't addressed people in pidgin before but I heard that I did well. Thank God. We taught them about savings, budgeting, establishing multiple income streams, investing, etc

Again, there was some resistance. Some of the women refused to listen, saying we should tell the president to reduce the cost of goods before telling them to save or invest. At this point, it was noisy and I couldn't talk again, even with a microphone. 

I let them pour out their frustrations and then continued my speech. Told them the government doesn't know them and they had better start taking responsibility for their journey to financial freedom, no matter how little the effort might seem, especially with the economy. They agreed and allowed me to conclude the speech.

I served as the assistant General Secretary and then the General Secretary of my CDS group. Taking and reading the minutes in each meeting, and preparing letters until I handed over.

I wrote for, and served as the editor-in-chief when we launched our maiden magazine.

We had an award ceremony one time and I was recognized as the most innovative corp member.

On Establishing Solid Relationships

God blessed me with His choicest sons and daughters (especially 😉) Met some in camp, some in my PPA, CDS group, and others in church, right here in this beautiful state. 

This is one asset I'm taking out of this season and it cannot be exchanged for anything.

One of these days, I'll write about Friendship. Before then, let it be known that God blessed me with amazing friends, cos for these friends I asked of the Lord, and He answered!

I did a couple of sleepovers, sandwiched with relevant conversations, book and sermon reviews, and plenty of girl talk.  

I also had a NYSC twin. We were almost everywhere together. From being roommates, to church members, sharing the same table in the staff room, and going out together on most days.

I'm grateful she's an amazing person, a great friend, solid support system and a purpose partner in this season. 

We did a lot together, I'll hold those memories dear. 

Spiritual Growth

A friend of mine invited me to her church for a weekday service one day and it turned out to be the church I had been searching for. I love how the word is made to come alive to the believers in every service. The eyes of my understanding was indeed enlightened.

Side story: One Monday evening, I was heading to church. It was almost late, I was in a hurry, wanting to get there on time. Then this man pulled over beside me and I reduced my pace, thinking he needed help with directions or something. 

Then he starts to say time wasting stuff and I told him I was heading to church and didn't have that time. Next thing, he drives past me and says: "when you get to church, don't pray for a husband o, God has given you one now, you're doing shakara" 

 

I laughed so hard. And thought to myself: is that what he thinks people go to do in church? Ah! Not my church sha. 

Here, you'll be taught the word with demonstrations of power, followed by signs and miracles. 

I learned to pray even more and believe in God for everything. I learned to confess the word and stay confessing the word. I saw how sick people were made whole.

I learned how to read the word and correctly interpret it within context. I learned how to recognize and deal with the devil. I learned to preach this gospel with boldness. I learned a lot. 

There was a total upgrade in my spirituality. My convictions deepened and became strengthened. I love it here, I always will. Grace Edge Ministries, Benin, is one church I'm grateful for. Very grateful. 

I know you want to understand what I'm saying. So here's a link to check out what I've been saying. Download and listen to the sermons, you'll be blessed. Click here.

Dear Corpers and PCMs

My advice to serving corpers and PCMs would be: focus on impact, the service year is really short and the earlier you start fulfilling your purpose, the better for you. "I wish I did" is not a good place to be. 

Also, look out for and invest in solid relationships. I can't emphasize this enough. At the end of every season in life, whether sweet or not. Relationships are always something to exit any place or season of life with. And that's something I'm most grateful for. Thank You, Jesus.

Then work on developing yourself intentionally. Read books, take up courses, volunteer with organizations, learn all you can and enjoy your life. You only serve once.

By the way, I volunteered with a UNESCO-endorsed organization for a couple of weeks. They are working on organizing a spelling competition for primary and secondary school students in about 25 states of the country. 

Myself and other volunteer corpers were tasked with the assignment of reaching out to the schools in our LGAs to inform them of the competition and also get them to register. 

Finally

My service year was amazing. Plenty of work, lessons, and memories. I regret nothing!

It's a joyful celebration for me today. I'm happy, I'm fulfilled. Are there things I wish I did? Yes. Things I wish I didn't do or did differently? Yes, yes.

But I'm still very grateful for the opportunity to influence and inspire young minds, to meet amazing people, and grow my spirituality, just like I wanted.

The ideas I had for the school were passed down to other teachers (I hope they run with it)

In my opinion, the scheme is a great one. Some improvements can be made of course, but it shouldn't be entirely scrapped. 

If you read till this point, give yourself a kiss for me. I hope you learned a thing or two.

Ps: I got a couple of my friends and colleagues to also document their experiences for your reading pleasure. The following post is from corpers in different states of the country. 

Do well to read, comment, and share the link. Thanks. 

Pss: Also, send me some dollars, I served my nation well 😉 

Love and light

Nancita✨