The National youth service exercise is most graduates dream. It’s a mixed bag-for some it’s a liberating adventure, to others, a sightless journey to the unknown.
My university education rather shifted my personal fundamentals, from the happy-go-lucky attitude to one of stern addiction to handwork-because at school I only looked at life through the prism of hard work and study routines. Mine was essentially a Technology University-with a perimeter stretch around the abstracts, equations, models….I was like a mold cast in ‘steel structures’ ready for high-powered performance. No jokes!
I could not afford the luxury of parties and high level social activities. It was a closed knitted ‘triangular affair’-fellowship, Lectures, hostel- an occasional weekend travels to see my folks was a welcome freedom trip.
Add that to my religious life as a youth leader of several fellowship groups massed in one, and the many heads who seek me out for prayers and counselling, you could well have ‘a human robot machined to rigid routines’.
So the thought of going for the youth service programme was a freedom bell that rang with memorable resonance on my mind. My call up orientation camp was “Issele- Uku Delta state”-whoa! My heart was thumping with excitement as I wanted to know where!
I got to camp quite in a good time and time raced faster than I knew it. My service year turned out to be one fascinating year of revolutionary discoveries. It was packed full with activities and cocktail of memorable encounters with people, their culture and mannerisms. Most importantly the youth service year exposed me to the wild- adventure of surviving in a world that teems with the good, the bad and the ugly. I wish to share things that may guide your journey as a prospecting youth corp member or a youth corp member at the corner of serving out.
- For a start open your mind.
In the first instance NYSC was conceived to open minds locked by ethnic and tribal barriers and prejudices. So it could be some sort of discovery voyage for every corp member to touch and feel the pulse and texture of people outside his familiar territory. At the inner core of our perception of others are sediments of unresolved fears and hatred acquired from stories told us by our parents or others.
Stereotypes or myths are strongest when unproven. A closed mind defeats discoveries. Yoruba’s believe Igbo’s love money. Igbo’s believe Yoruba’s are tribalistic.
Such clichés are variants of different shades of belief system which may be true or not depending on the context. But that’s not the point. I left for Delta state expecting the best and the brightest. I need to hit home some points here- I met very good and naturally welcoming Yoruba friends clean and clear from tinge of ethnic and social biases, I also met the very raw ethnic stock of Yoruba’s who wish you dead for being Igbo. Because I came with an open mind I was able to roll along with the good, the bad and the ugly harvesting from each tree basket full of useful experiences that today are still yielding dividends. Morals– don’t build barriers in your mind with preconceived stereotypes that may hurt your prospective bonds and friendship in future times. Be a youth in mind, and don’t think like our fathers who got soaked in myths of ethic hate and suspicion. Cruise along to explore the land, the people and the opportunities that match with your personal preferences and career or vocational architecture.
- Isolate and focus your preferences
It is from the youth service program you hit a home run. That’s the last Bus stop into independence for those who hadn’t yet. To be free financially is the first assignment that awaits you at this spot in time. You must eke a living through your talent or training. Either way you should be able to pay your transport fare, clothe and run basic essentials without calling for support financially. If you are spoilt rotten with no spine to walk and work then this is a learning curve for you. This period should constitute a diligent heart search effort to locate the heart of the rest of your future endeavors.
Become an entrepreneur or look for job? What kind of business or job will suit my temperament and skill sets- do I have the aptitude for what is in vogue?
Questions like these could frame your actions and streamline your life or target objectives.
Sometimes emotional pressures like marital relationships or courtship could skew ones mind from other equally important but contending matters. There must be good balance of both without undermining the importance of healthy emotional expressions or the desire for career optimization. At this point confusion usually sets in. If you are in a relationship already you may share with him or her to help achieve a clearer point of action or better still consult a career coach or a trusted counselor. But try and straighten this bend before you hit out of the service year.
Morals: ‘You must set forth at dawn’ plan ahead with a clear uncluttered mind. First thing first. Marriage is good but you must have a financial base for it to work fine. You must be emotionally mature and capable of living with a woman. Don’t jump the queue of seasons.
- Keep your hands and mind busy
On one of my leisure moments I strolled up to a business spot at Ogwashi-Uku- a semi-rural community. On one of those outings I walked in and boldly requested if they had broken down computer items that needed a fix. Stunningly an ‘Oyibo woman’ emerged- who I later learnt was an Italian. “Yes”, she retorted, we have a printer we have pushed to the shelves because no one was able to fix it. ‘You wanna give it a try’. “Yea”- I nodded exuberantly, since I was all along been sporting for action. My load of theoretical ideas and knowledge on computer was already intoxicating me.
In the end I fixed the printer. Hurray! ‘A hero and a guru is in town’. I turned an instant celebrity. ‘Morning sir’- everyone hailed as I walked in with the working printer. That fetched me a job with the company. Morals: Combination of courage, adventure and faith in oneself and God works wonders! You need to burst loose from fear and walk it out for it to work. Don’t fold your hands-a thousand ideas not put to action is a thousand opportunity lost and wasted.
- Explore the wonders of prayer
Without sounding overly religious- prayer in whatever language has supernatural power able to lead you out of danger, confusion and plant your feet in the right direction. Prayer is like a stored rain you may harvest in seasons of drought. Prayer is a strategic tool to safeguard your destiny and put your future on a firm foundation. Prayer flung open doors of favour. Prayer paves way to meet those who can give you platforms to shine and prosper- they are called destiny helpers. Prayer unlocks doors and delivers grace and answers to your needs to your door step. When your steps are ordered divinely your march to success becomes steady and definite.
Morals: ‘Men ought always to pray and not to faint (Luke 18)
- Don’t start by trying to solve all family problems
Our family structure in Africa exert lots of pressure on us. It distorts our ability to focus. Once you become a graduate, family members tag you a money magician- one who spins money without putting into consideration the time element and other economic factors. Career upstarts often crack under the weight of such expectations. The backlash is often sad. People experience loss of integrity as they get into money problems that could shift or alter their value fundamentals. There are tendencies of young people to try to make money through untoward means. It’s difficult to recover from money shocks once you get in there. Don’t ever stretch your capacity beyond your means to solve the ever recurring family issues. Let your people know your income limits and plot your cash flow dynamics with what you have.
Defer personal gratifications and keep your reputation intact. Your reputation becomes your negotiating tool and your strongest currency in the soon coming phase of life.
Moral: Tomorrow is pregnant don’t abort the baby today. ‘Enjoyment no de finish”
- Contact your John the Baptist
Before I concluded my service year I had to spread words to complement my job search. I passed on my resume to as many people I could meet who had hints to what I wanted. Eventually my father’s friend called me to start up in his firm- no interviews! A child hood friend in Lagos had made room for me in his house. I made sure I took him along during my last days in school. He was abreast of my progress.
Your John the Baptist(s) are your seniors who have gone before you on the way of success, who know the way and understand the terrain better: old family friends, schoolmates, career seniors, uncles and relatives who may provide links and valuable contacts. They are the human agents or helps supernaturally positioned to assist you. Bond with them. Give them soft and occasional reminders and followthrough.
- Invest your time and talent in others
Giving out to others has a way it facilitates your relationship with your world-I mean those who come into contact with you. It helps deepen your work ability and ethics. Many young people lack good work culture. They seem to suffer from lack of ability to work effectively with others. They have people phobia. They hardly mix. A withdrawn person loses the double potential of gaining from others and giving as well. Try and sow positive seeds in the life of others they will long remember you for. NYSC fosters a natural climate of cordiality and communal enterprise-which is why we must aspire to imbibe good virtues and skills that may come in handy in the future from this period of service year. Relationships and one’s ability to get along with others and make friends can help in critical moments. Real long-lasting bonding for families came as seeds of friendships sown within the service year. Break loose from the timid, individualistic mould to one of free and lively relationship with others. I remember a Yoruba guy shedding tears like a baby before me in the presence of others. He said brother; your life really touched me, I miss you, I learnt so much from you” After several years still in touch with some of them. Another guy spotted me in London and called my name—remember me he asked? ‘NYSC Delta state’ and we shouted and embraced – he offered some help with my bags and other routines. I felt very glad. Just for being corp members together?
Shine your eyes well well! Sometimes ogbonge better things like marriage fit comot for that side abi no bi so?
- Don’t hurry out into the scene-prepare, persevere, be proactive
This is a period to study hard in your chosen area of calling or interest. Rehearse interview questions, aptitude tests questions. You may even start writing applications as you wind down the service year. Don’t wait to be told- be proactive!
The best way to harvest opportunities is to sow the seed of preparations.
- Be inspired, don’t despair
No matter the mix of colours in the rainbow, you are sure to pick out bright colours- “yellow” is there for instance. No matter the economic climate there is a job waiting for someone prepared who is ready and is at the right place and on time. Positioning is as good as someone’s abilities. Prayerfully locate your spot of harvest- where your skills and grooming will be needed and where you are likely to find applicable opportunities that aligns with your proven talents and aptitude. Your success and prosperity lies in your location. Andre groove the founder of Intel- was a migrant from Hungary to America where his business talent germinated and blossomed. Arnold swazzeneger was lured by the vast opportunities America could offer- he left the slow regimented Austrian clime to hit stardom within the American business space. Mind you if your intuition prefers you stay back at UYO don’t go to URUGUAY-they may sound alike but never the same.
See opportunities where others see gloom.
Stand above the shoulders of the majority and see what their heads are covering.
Be positive, be inspired, be practical, and move in with every expectation that you will do well. The world is waiting!!!
See you at the top.
