Each country has its mandatory service which everyone is supposed to pass through before going on to the next stage in life. Well, in my country, Nigeria, we have a mandatory service program called the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). It's a program that every Nigerian graduates must pass through and it lasts for a year. As afresh graduate, you're required to serve your country for one year before you truly move on in your life and career.
Image is a screenshot on my phone
The NYSC program was introduced after the Civil War in the year 1973, it's main aim was to promote national unity and integration. It's a good idea, really. Imagine young people from different parts of the country, with different backgrounds and cultures, coming together to serve and learn about each other.
This is how NYSC works: after graduation, yorie posted to a state different from your home state to serve the country for one year. On getting there, you'll spend about three weeks under going a paramilitary training in an orientation camp, you will learn about the culture of the community you were posted to, and make new friends. After the three weeks at the camp, you'll be posted somewhere for your PPA(Place of Primary Assignment). For this, it can either be a school, hospital, government office or a private company.
Some people are fortunate enough to get the place of their choosing, while others aren't. For some people, it's their first time been away from home,having a taste of independence. It is exciting jut can also be scary. You might find yourself in a village where you find it difficult to communicate with the people there because you don't understand their language.
The NYSC year can be a time of personal growth and self-discovery. You learn to stand on your own feet, to solve problems, to interact with people from different backgrounds. Some people meet their life partners during this one year, others make friendship that last forever.
As there are ups and downs in life, there are ups and downs in NYSC. There is the issue of safety for those that will be posted to areas where security is a problem, the wages paid is barely enough to cover up expenses and people struggle with it,especially those posted to big cities with hight cost of living.
DO I THINK NYSC IS NECESSARY?
This is a difficult question to answer. On this side, NYSC promotes national integration and gives young people a chance to experience different parts of the country. It can be a great learning opportunity. While at the other side, a year is a long time in a young person's life. For some, it feels like a waste of time when they could be starting their careers or furthering their education.
IF I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, WHAT WOULD I DO?
If I had the opportunity, I would make NYSC optional and not mandatory. For those that want the experience and know what and how NYSC feels like they are free to do, while those that do not want it are also free to move on with their lives. I believe people should have the freedom to decide what's best for them after graduation.
Few days ago I was discussing with my mother-in-law about her son who just wrote his final exams. I was like she didn't even congratulate him and she said "he hasn't done NYSC, why should she congratulate? He has to do NYSC and get congratulatory message from the government before he can be considered a graduate and that is when I will congratulate him". I said to her that it's not supposed to be so, he hasn't done youth service doesn't mean she should not congratulate, she was adamant so I left her.
I believe the NYSC, like many things in life, is what you make of it. It can be a year of growth and adventure, or it can be a year of frustration and stagnation. I also believe the choice should be yours to make.
