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.