To Promote Unity

The national youth service corps (NYSC) is the mandatory service in my country, Nigeria. According to history, it was set up in the year 1973 by the military president of the time to Forster coexistence between citizens and to rebuild the country after the civil war.

The service year is after your tertiary institution and it is done for twelve months. Graduates are posted to different regions different from their state of origin and place of education to a different place just to live and mix with the people of the region to learn and associate with a different culture for a whole year before they can move on with their life.

Some people think it's a bad idea, a waste of time and it should be scrapped while some others think it's not a bad idea. I think it's a good idea and not a time waster. This is my idea and I'm entitled to my opinion. I'm talking from the point of view of a person that loves adventure and wants to learn new things.

After my first degree, as usual, I was posted to serve in Bayelsa state Nigeria. One of the states in the south-south of the country. I've never been there prior to this posting and it's compulsory so, I have to go. The first three weeks were spent in the camp where we were taught generally about the culture of the people and the things we need to do or avoid.

The three weeks in camp were majorly learning because apart from the way of life of the people, we were also taught entrepreneurship skills which they felt could help us if finding a job was difficult. After the three weeks in camp, we were all posted to different local government of the states to start our primary assessment.

The federal government pays us according to the minimum wage while the state government also give whatever they can afford because some states pay more than others. Some local government areas also give the little they can to corp members depending on what they could afford.

I was posted to an Island in the state and that experience has since been an eye opener for me, not to judge people by their tribe or religion. The people of the community were friendly and accommodating. They loved and respected corp members, they made sure we had enough fish and crayfish in our lodge.

I met a lot of people, made friends and learnt a lot of new things. In a nutshell, NYSC changed my life for good and I am glad I got that opportunity. At the end of my service year, I didn't feel like coming back home because the place already felt like home.

If I could decide whether or not the mandatory service year is necessary or should be scrapped, I would say it's necessary. It helps you to see and understand people for who they are and not based on their tribe or religion. It helps to Forster unity and cohesion. It helps to acquire new skills and culture.

This is my response to Hive learners community weekly featured contents on the topic Mandatory ervice
Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate you.
Photos used are mine
Yours truly @aunty-tosin 💕💕