SERVICE TO THE FATHERLAND

It is the NYSC - National Youth Service Corps. Also, I'm not sure that there is/are any other mandatory service programme. Thankfully.

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The National Youth service is a one-year long programme that graduates are expected to partake in after the completion of their university education and serve 'the fatherland ' with love and strength and faith. In that one year, these individuals are posted to different geographical locations, mostly to states outside where they had their education and sometimes, not of their origin.

In these states, they are deployed to varying localities and establishments, sometimes relating to their field of study, other times not.

The first three weeks though, in the first month of this year-long programme is set aside for orientation training on basic knowledge and information necessary to see and guide the individual throughout the course of the service and for where ever they are deployed to wotk and/or serve.

There is only so much that I know of the programme, since, I have not attained the point when I am qualified to go in for that service. Noteworthy too, I don't think I am any interested in it. I've always said that I am not, cause, I have never really fancied it so much. Don't get me wrong, i consider the whole khaki wearing thing and allawee really nice but i might not mind skipping it. Not one person, neither any occurrence influenced this choice of mine. I've just been of such stance.

And you know what, a friend of mine considers the programme as punishments meted on individuals for whatever reason. I know some other persons who enjoy(ed) the time thoroughly although they share stories from when they were fagged out and wanted out.

The whole idea of the programme, I think(which I consider very smart) is for young people to have an opportunity to explore other regions of their country that they otherwise may never thread. Personally, if I have the means, I do want to visit every state in this country of mine. I know someone who until he went for service, had never been to a different state other than the one he resides in, which doubles as his state of origin too. You can only imagine the excitement that he felt at having to visit unfamiliar grounds and explore other people, their lifestyle, culture and locality.

And that is what I believe is the aim of NYSC. But then, that aim is being compromised as individuals can now easily influence where they go by using varying means. It takes the fun and surprise out of it, don't you think? In cases like those where an area is predominantly unsafe, it's totally understandable. Otherwise, it defeats the process.

Generally, I don't consider the whole venture as futile. I just think that while it could be a year of growth, learning, fostering friendships and selfless service, the federal government and authorities in charge should consider making it optional for graduates who may have no interest. That's all.

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Greetings!