Community Development Services

One of the most anticipated weekly events was CDS meetings. It’s a platform where you get to meet some Corp members you’d probably not have a chance to see outside the meetings. So, we earnestly look forward to it. It is not that we always have it smooth and nice. We end up in a lot of arguments and see the other side of people. But in a nutshell, the pros outweigh the cons.

Our meetings were mostly formal and there were a lot of protocols and formalities. Moving and seconding of motions were the order of the day. It is interesting to note that that I did not move any motion all though my stay neither did I second any motion. I just couldn’t understand the logic behind it.

A couple of friends participated in personal Community Development Projects. Both of them organized a skill acquisition and training for the youths and indigenes of the community. Rachel’s CDS was based on shoe making, bag making, bead making and related stuffs. Mariam’s project was on catering-snacks, cakes and drinks. Rachel added a signpost pointing to the Muo-Youm’s (the King of the Youm People) palace to hers. Such days felt like Christmas.

It felt great to be of benefit to the community. Some of the projects we carried out as a group are:

·         Renovation of the garage

·         Health talk and enlightenment on hepatitis

·         Free HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis test

·         Academic Seminar and Secondary schools’ quiz competition

·         Personal and Female Hygiene sensitization

·         Safety and caution sensitization for secondary schools

It was fulfilling giving back to the host community. Some who have been living in ignorance were enlightened about their health and got a free test to know the situation of things and what next. Another great feat was the academic orientation. Over here, people attend schools with very scary reasons or no reasons at all. It was a good opportunity to plant motivation in their hearts. I look forward to a healthier and a more productive community.

A New Name

It is amazing how inaccurate the perspective we have of the northern culture. I used to think there is just one tribe. But even here on the Plateau alone there are over 17 different tribes each with its own language. Then they adopted Hausa as the ‘lingua franca.’ Most people who speak in Hausa still have their own native languages.

Where I served (past tense already?) we have the Youm people. The language is also called Youm. The neighbouring Local Government were Tarok. They had same appellations for God- Nan. You’d hear names such as Nanman, Nanpel, Kwaknan and so on. It was hard but fun getting to pronounce those names. You’d have to call it three times before your tongue gets used to it and worse of all you might not remember on your next encounter. It took an average of three encounters for some names to click.

In my first Class (I taught computer), I decided to translate my name into the Youm Language. It ended up like this: Nandom (meaning God loves). Interestingly, it means the same thing in Tarok and then Mougavl. By the next class, my students started calling me Nandom. Overheard certain members of staff looking for the new Corper who hails from here and was mistakenly posted back home. In 3 months, the whole school knew. So I am now so fond of the name that I’m tempted to include it in one of my certificates. So if you call me Nandom, I’d most certainly answer you.

I’m not just coming back with potatoes and NYSC certificate. I am also coming with a new name-Nandom.

My Food Escapades

I was hoping for serious adventure when I first arrived. I wanted to visit every renounced spot on the Plateau. However, I have been to only less than ten percent. Notwithstanding, if I can’t be to different places, at least I would have a taste of different dishes. On my list of experiments are

• Kwakel or Bibal: Made from giant beans, ground beniseed and palm oil. It tastes as though the palm oil was just poured in the half done beans and mixed together. Irrespective f how it tastes it appears to be a well celebrated food here. It is ceremonial. The one occasion had tasted it was at my students’ graduation service. Did I just say taste? I really ate. I begged my fellow Corp Members to help me. I inspired them to have adventure with a brand new and of cause strange diet but all to no avail. I was left to finish what I brought home. I might not demand it another time and when next I’m offered, I’ll just take a little quantity but I’m glad I had a little breakaway from the regular menus I’m used to.

• Achan (Hungry Rice): This is a very interesting one. I also had this at a special event. I learnt it cost twice as much as the imported rice and about seven times that of the local rice. It is most definitely a luxury diet. I learnt it is high in protein and highly sought after diet for diabetes patients. Interestingly, an indigene said the prices rose almost all of a sudden when it became very popular. She said it used to be really cheap and.

• Kunu: I see this all of the time back in Ibadan however I have never had a taste. However, it seems what they have here is slightly different. It isn’t as thick. My first encounter was in the NCCF Family House in a neighboring Local Government. It took me two hours to finish a cup of Kunu. I vowed never to take it again. But just a few days after, my neighbour (fondly called Grandma) made another one. I was reluctant and eventually convicted by a colleague who had a similar experience as mine. He vowed never to taste it again but he said Gradma’s own is way better than any other he has ever tasted. To cut the long story short, I can take a whole bottle now.

• Kuskus: This is unlike the kuskus you might be familiar with. It is made from the maize residue after squeezing out the part meant for pap. It is then poured in a sauce of many wonderful things-pepper, tomatoes, crayfish and many more. I didn’t have too much, just about a table spoon full. However, my courage to dare a strange diet should be worth including it my many many escapades.

There are still a whole lot I have heard about and would love to taste. Goite (Maize porridge) and Karkashi (a soup I fell in love with only by hearing its name).

I might not have another opportunity at these meals again, but the adventure was well worth it.

The Thoughts of Staying Back

Its three weeks to go. The almighty NYSC is coming to an end. Just like the first three week in camp, the last three weeks holds even more anticipation. This is more than just a year of service ahead. It is more than just a three weeks orientation for service year. It is basically an initiation ceremony into real life.

Many questions remain unanswered even one year after. Where are all of the dreams and hopes for the service year? All the resolutions and proposals, did they all become a reality. Mixed feelings here and there. And the golden question stares us all in the face: What Next?

Before us all are at least two options: staying back to continue with the life you started about a year ago or to return to where you have been before service year. This appears not to be a difficult decision for many who have built a good profile in the last one year. In the course of service some made great connections and have already secured a good place to pitch a tent after service. Others in a hurry return home. They’d rather start over afresh in a familiar zone than leverage on the reputation and opportunities observed in the course of 12 months.

I think it is worth it to consider your options before making a decision in a hurry. Although I have made my decision, I still gave serious considerations to the option of staying back. I am a fruitful vine, I will blossom anywhere I am planted. I will flourish anywhere I place my feet. However, there is a place where I prefer to cast my shadow and it isn’t here.

I Sincerely Hope I Won't Cry

It was almost a 6 months strike. I spent about half of my service year on strike. That didn't stop the fun in anyway. Business and a couple of other things kept me really busy, even busier than those on session. While the strike was on, 2015 Batch A Corps Members joined us. It was a daunting task to give consolation to the brokenhearted among them. Many had hoped for cities and castles and now they need a surge of consolation to stay alive. Some stayed, some left, some moved to other places within the state. In summary, it was another batch of Characters. The pretty, the funny, the hardworking and the friendly. I have always enjoyed meeting people. They help me complete the definition of life. Interestingly, some 2015 Batch A started to teach before me. We were still on strike.

Fast forward by a couple of months, my school resumed. It was fun to go to work like my other colleagues. It was then I knew I still had passion. Even while students were still registering, I visited the school severally and kept asking when lectures will start. I am sure the HOD was tired of my visit asking for course outline and time table. 

Finally, my first day in class it dawned on me that I had a responsibility not just to teach but to inspire my students. I enjoyed talking and writing on their hearts. I saw curiosity in their eyes. I sensed they had dreams and aspirations. I gave them an assignment to write what they would love to do after school. Some people responded and just as I thought, I saw them. I hoped and prayed that my short moment of interaction with them will somehow lead them closer to these dreams.

I am beginning to sense to intense emotions that will surround my departure. I am neck deep into service. I am enjoying every bit of it. I am savoring every moment. I almost didn't want to switch classes with my other colleague with whom I planned to share the course. I was getting attached and didn't want to leave them midway. I  figured we could still be friends even when I begin teaching the other class.

These are some of the moments that words can express. There are many more moments that only a smile can convey. This indeed has been one of the greatest years of my life.

It has Been really Exciting

While everyone was enjoying the new year celebrations, I was thinking about the new life I was going to start in a few days. I had dropped some of my things behind in Garkawa, Mikang LGA of Plateau State. When I arrived in January, it felt like I had been away for years. The whole room was covered in dust. Items I carefully placed in bags too were covered in dust. To crown it all, we resumed to very cold weather. I usually tell everyone who calls that Garkawa is not as cold as Jos. But this period was really cold. I heard Jos was freezing. Of cause I experienced it a bit because I passed a night there.

We resumed in January and almost immediately the exams started. It was a great place to start service. You get to announce the kind of person you are without a word. That was very easy. Easier than having to explain how much you don't tolerate laziness and examination malpractice. I made friends, identified the smart and independent students. I learnt who they are - those who work hard and obey rules and those who are lazy and always seek favors. Jokingly but firmly, I made my point.

Just about when the more interesting part was about to start, the long strike began. I was so eager to get into the classroom and deliver 'stuffs.' It seemed that the strike deflated my passion. But my passion is not external, it was well preserved till the right time. I became almost idle. While my colleagues  went to work, I turned on my bed. Not long after the strike started, the ICT department started a certificate course in Computer Appreciation. That kept me busy three days a week. CDS kept me busy the fourth day. NCCF had the rest. 

I made a few trips. The elections served as a perfect decoy. Many things happened on this trip. I changed my phone and bought my dream Infinix Zero which has quickly been overtaken by another smarter phone. My former phone had become really slow. I have overworked it. Just before I gave it out, i emptied the phone and I was tempted to withhold it. It worked at a speed of light, but there was no going back.

One remarkable thing was, on this trip I made a decision to start my business. Interestingly, this business paid higher than my PPA. I sold airtime and MTN data. It turned out to keep me really busy. My phone became an asset. I did learn a number of things about people and business too. I learnt that advert is critical. You don't do a business in the corner of your room and expect people to find you out. Even though your office is in a phone, put a signpost on the express. Shout out loud and let people know what you do. Also, the ability to give credit almost doubles your clientele.

To be continued...

How Many More Days To Go?

Two or three weeks ago I sent a broadcast that read "71 days to go." And messages started trooping in to confirm if my calculations were correct. I was just as confused as they were. The only fact I am aware of is that, each passing day, we are a day closer to the end of service. I'm not eager to leave because this is not exciting for me. Far from it. I  am actually having a great time. I am just eager to throw the curtains open and experience life beyond these veils. But meanwhile, I am having a great time meeting people and learning a new language word after word.

In preparation to wrap up, I want to share my experience. I hope you enjoy it. I have decided to break it into pieces so I don't bore you you one lump of monopolized perspective of NYSC. And to those who would enjoy it, sorry that you would have to wait a bit to get the rest. And if you honestly have an answer to my question (the title), please do well to save me from my confusion. Enjoy...

While coming for service, I had a feeling that I was going to serve in an Higher Institution. I prayed for it. I couldn't bear the thought of teaching kids. I haven't developed that sort of patience. Or perhaps, it was foresight. Whatever the case was going to be, I made up my mind to live with it. I wasn't going to tamper with anything. I trusted that my Lord would lead me in the path He wills.

Just as I thought, I was posted to an higher institution. Though it was not the definition of Higher Institution I had. It was very close. It was the desire of everyone who served in the local government. It was the highest paying place of primary assignment in the Local Government. It was the place to be as far as my vicinity was concerned. I got to meet and interact with mature people daily. It was awesome. It was far easier to inspire these ones, i thought.

After being accepted, we wrote letters of permission and traveled for Christmas. I basically used the holidays to summon courage. I had determined to stick with my posting. My colleagues who stayed back for the Christmas had great tales for us. They made us regret our travelling. They received Christmas hampers comprising life chickens, gallons of oil and species. They made us feel bad for leaving them. But I consoled myself with the fact that I had even more goodies from my brother's wedding.

to be continued...