NIGERIA IS YOURS!

A few days ago, a friend reached out to ask me for valuable tips for the 21-day NYSC Orientation Camp. I was excited that someone found my experiences worthy of being shared.

Like every other PCM, I left home with the most valuable hack from my older brother. He insisted I should buy as many white shirts and shorts as I could afford. He told me it was a matter of time before I understood why. Indeed, I came to deeply appreciate his advice because it saved me the stress on days when there was no water supply and even on days when the camp activities were too overwhelming.

I arrived at camp in high spirits, ready to explore, learn, meet new people, and interact with distant cultures. A couple of people who had served before advised me to join OBS or Red Cross to 'dodge' some activities and reduce camp stress. However, what they always failed to spell out was the fact that these camp activities are the very reasons that make camp interesting, beautiful, and worth every second.

True to my penchant for communications, I confidently strolled to the OBS studio in the company of Amina on our second day in camp and met YISSA. As we wrote our names, I was already thinking, "How will OBS protect me from being part of all the other camp activities?"

My first highlight in camp was being in church on Sunday when Ephraim Emmanuel Sheka walked into the auditorium.(Ephraim is my friend from the University of Jos) It was as if time stopped for a second, and I was star-struck. The next few days were pure bliss as we went everywhere together until we began to meet other new people and settle into the camp activities properly.

On the parade ground on Monday during the morning meditation, announcements were made for people who studied courses like mine to volunteer. Without giving it much thought, I filed out, only to discover we were going to be creating an educative playlet for SAED. (SAED, they warned me about!) I was a little disappointed in the idea behind the volunteerism, mainly because I didn't consider myself someone who had the flair for acting or anything at all that tilted in the direction of a theater group. However, I made up my mind to stay and see it through to the end.

When we had the first OBS meeting, the OBS president randomly appointed heads of departments, and I became the team lead for 'Field Reporters.' I enjoyed my work so much because it gave me room to write about all the activities happening in camp. As head of the department, I did a lot of delegating, and even though a couple of people did not deliver, the ones who did gave me so much to look forward to. The energy within the OBS family was beautiful and contagious. I am glad to have met and worked with really amazing people from different parts of Nigeria. I was called 'OBS' by several people in camp who did not know my name.

Contrary to the advice I received, I took part in almost all the camp activities and influenced as many people to be part of them too. If I was not going to be actively on stage, I would join the team of cheerleaders to fiercely root for my platoon or anyone I was supporting at all.

One beautiful highlight for me was debating. Winning the debate made me happy, but what made it more fulfilling was how much it meant to my platoon members and my friends who, despite being in other platoons, were banking on me.

I am grateful for the friends I met in camp too, and what's more beautiful is how we have made efforts to keep in touch since we left camp.

Each time I struggled with showing up for any camp activity, I consoled myself with the fact that it was only a matter of days, and everything would be back to the way it used to be. I miss camp, and every day, reality simmers in my mind of how some experiences are once-in-a-lifetime, and we are encouraged to make the most of it.

George S. Clason rightly captured that "Opportunity is a haughty goddess who wastes no time with those who are unprepared." As young people, it is easier to be on the 'complaining side of things,' but complaining has never solved anything before. We cannot glory in being a generation that always loves to boycott processes.

Dear Prospective Corps Member,

Everything embedded in the NYSC scheme is a one-off experience. I am encouraging you to open up your mind to endless possibilities. Show some level of faith and enthusiasm in the processes that contribute to shaping your trajectory in life, and instead of complaining, you can lean towards impacting your host communities and the people you are sent out to meet.

 I understand your concerns about the compromises in the systems of this country. As valid as these concerns are, nothing changes if you are not up and doing to do the little you can, while you can, where you can, and when you can. My favorite line from the NYSC anthem is 'Nigeria is Ours' because it brings responsibility closer to your subconsciousness when you begin to think in the perspective influenced by obligation. If Nigeria indeed is yours, rise up to your responsibility.

The NYSC scheme is not a scam.

SAED trainings are not avenues to sleep.

Joining OBS is not an escape route from other camp activities.

Being part of Red Cross is a huge responsibility, not some camp stress relief scheme.

As you obey the clarion call, may you enjoy the kindness of strangers, find your path to impact, and get blessed with amazing friends.

Cheers to a fulfilling service year and your resounding successes.

Love, Light, and Encouragement,

Sahmah💗