If there is one thing about my country is that as long as you are below 30 years you must serve the country immediately after you are done with the Tertiary level of education. Most times Nigerians who are even outside the country also come back to Nigeria to serve for that 1 year that’s if they want to work in Nigeria or do something in the country.
Serving Nigeria is termed under the name NYSC which stands for National Youth Service Corp, this Mandatory service takes 1 year and during that time people are sent to different parts of the country. It is most times very difficult for you to get posted to your home state. Instead, you are sent far away from home, and maybe if you are lucky you get to serve the country in a state that is close to your home state.
I was opportune to serve my country in 2023 to 2024. where I got posted to the North. I reside in the South and if you check the Nigerian map you would find out that the South is below while the North is way above so you can imagine the distance. Honestly, 1 year away from home was stressful. I got to meet new people with entirely different religions, cultures, and even languages that is how far this Mandatory service could take you.
Most people would say that this 1 year is just unnecessary but to me, I think this 1 year is important and yes, it could be stressful but I do not think this 1 year mandatory service should be scrapped. Apart from the fact that most people are sent to states that are far from home and have a different way of life from their home town. This mandatory service exposes us to different things which in the long run are of importance to us.
During this 1 year Mandatory service we are involved in Community Development Services, which are of different areas, these Community Development Service groups are meant to contribute to the community in one way or another. For instance, during my 1 year of service, I was in Charity Community Development Service and our responsibility was to carry out voluntary services which involved visiting the orphanage homes, visiting schools, and giving to the people of the community.
This 1-year Mandatory service teaches us Skill Development as we are taught several things during the period we get to camp for 3 weeks. As a child, I would never have thought of going to the North or even living in the North but then My country sent me to the North to serve the people of the North for 1 year. Aside from the Community Development Service, we are posted to places where we will carry out a 1 year assignment, it could be schools, industries, and hospitals. Either way, you get to learn something new.
There’s also this high respect and regards that comes with serving Nigeria. When ever you wear that NYSC uniform even those in the Military will give you some sense of respect and I love that feeling too
I am strongly against the idea that the 1-year Mandatory Service should be scrapped because when you weigh the advantages and disadvantages, it has more advantages.
All images used are mine except otherwise stated
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