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...

My Country, My God and My Service

Many years ago, In 1954 precisely, God ministered to Pa S G Elton, a British missionary to Ilesha and he prophesied that "One day, Nigerian Government will pay youths to preach in every nook and cranny of the country." No one knew for sure how this would come to be. But barely 20 years after, there was civil war and there came a need for reconciliation afterward. By God's design when the war ended the government instituted NYSC. They claimed it's for national integration, but God intended it for a bigger purpose.

How on earth could educated men be sent to remote places with practically no need for such expertise like theirs? This brings to mind several people in the bible whose secular training was a foundation for heaven's assignment. Paul, Luke, Daniel, Shedrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego among others fall into this class. Their secular training was instrumental to their ministerial success. As much as we say God empties us and fills us afresh, He only empties us of the things He did not orchestrate. God often begins His training long before we become aware.

Paul, who was once Saul the Pharisee is one man to consider; equipped to be one of the greatest of his time, learnt under the greatest faculties and was very close to attaining his dream height when suddenly he found purpose. We might say his past and future has no correlation but on close observation we see his knowledge of the law, reputation and influence, handicraft (tent making) and Roman citizenship were all useful for ministry. Who we are and where we have been is all part of God's training for what He'll have us do.

Luke the doctor, has one of the most detailed gospels with very interesting descriptions and expressions. His wealth of experience in careful research and record keeping is palpable in his account of Jesus' gospel. Sometimes, our pen is the most potent weapon  for the moment. All we need do a times is to take records and zoom in on what people call normal and find the treasures. It takes one whose mind has been trained to execute such a feat.

Scriptures say Daniel and his companions had knowledge of science, skilful in wisdom and had courtesy. (Dan 1:4) However, we skip that and jump to where they did exploits and surpassed all the other wise men including indigenes of Babylon. Their secular or permit me to say university training gave them the opportunity to be considered first of all; it gave them audience; it gave them a chance. They needed all that to penetrate into the place where they will execute their assignment proper.

This year is an opportunity to reach people. The NYSC gives us a platform. People respect the uniform, the knowledge, the experience and give listening ears to us. All that we have gathered might just be what is needed to penetrate the places God  would have us be this period. That is why it is so easy to take advantage of those we meet during service- when me misuse our influence. But how best can we use this opportunity?

First, we need to find God. These men possessed skills but didn't maximise destiny to they found God. Many are confused in what path to follow in life despite their array of skills and qualifications. Many have been through so much, have learnt a lot but haven't found use for such experience. Many people have influence but have reduced such tremendous gift of human resources to monetary profit alone. An encounter with God puts our entire life into perspective. God commands order into the chaos in our lives. He sorts out our skills and abilities and efficiently deploys them for a more expedient purpose.

Next, we need to be diligent in the place of our primary assignment. Only few people will serve God by doing exclusive ministry. More people will serve God as they serve the nation. It is interesting to note that Pa Elton, through whom the prophesy emerged, reached people by interacting with them in their own domain. He reached students as he went from school to school, pouring out from his treasury. We sometimes neglect NYSC and hope that opportunities will come to serve God from the blues. But NYSC is a platform on which the gospel can and should bride. While we serve, we find opportunities. We can meet people in their domain and be a blessing.

Next, while you are serving, find one soul and make a disciple; pour out from your treasury and nourish the hungry souls; ignite many more souls with that fire you have caught from the altar. Evangelism has an elder brother. Evangelism drops the gospel as it passes by. But Jesus urges us to make disciples. Discipleship lights the fire sits with it and fans the flames till it can burn on its own. Discipleship teaches people the grace of our Lord, immerses them in the love of God, introduces them to the fellowship of the spirit and teaches them to observe all that God commands.

NCCF is one of the platforms where this can be achieved. It is a fellowship where youths are ignited and deployed; where skill and professionalism is channelled for the gospel's sake. NCCF is a training platform to equip us and refuel us in the course of the service year. We gather to receive strength and encourage one another. When the meetings are over, we march to our PPAs with purpose, passion and a message.

Being a part of NCCF alone is not enough, it's like eating and eating without using the energy, it accumulates as fat and make us obese and consequently more lazy. Serving in our PPA's alone is not enough. It's like being spent without being refilled. It's like flying an empty cargo plane. But being part of NCCF, serving faithfully in your PPA's and reaching out for the souls of men, women and children is indeed the compete service.

Shalom!

Face your Fears, then your Feelings

Many times we seek motivation for the activities we are meant to do. We seek for a sign; we desire to know if it would be worth it at all. We want to know how much profit we would make of we embarked on a trade. But honestly, these are answers we can only get along the way. Though we may make estimations and very close predictions, no prediction has been totally accurate so far. Stick with me as I share an interesting lesson learnt by observing fellow corps members participating in the NYSC Scheme, especially those we are done and have now become a reservoir of experience.

Shortly, after the orientation camp, which may probably be the most exciting part of the service year, people are posted to different nooks and cranny of each state. More often than not, we meet with disappointments. The tales we heard missed a lot of details. The pictures we see had nothing in correlation with reality. Most people who didn't cry when traveling far away from home will do so when they arrive at places far from civilisation. And I guess everyone who cried will cry again. In the must of all this, corpers who have been through this phase begin to offer words of consolation. They tell tales of how they cried more than we are doing and how they were even more afraid and yet, here they are.

Here is my point, they started the same way we did - afraid, perplexed and worried. But they felt much better after getting both feet in. We seek consolation now, but those from whom we seek it got theirs when they got in. All your plans may have been rubbished because the variable of environment has changed. But nonetheless, you can still make a great a service year. Put the equations back on the sheet and substitute for new variables. Most of the answers you seek lie within the hallway. All the encouragement you seek and all the possible profit lies along the pathYou just have to get in first. You could make a great piece with your feelings before and after the experience.

As much as we have to learn from other's experiences, our custom made lessons can only be found within our own experience. Only the naive will think that he can get all he needs before the first step. That would be a great delusion. Our fine details and furnishing materials can only come when we have resolved to deep both feet in.

Get in first, then make a book out of your experience.

Forced to be Together, Forced to Depart

The passing out of 2014 Batch B corp members meets with several reactions. There were many sighs, many tears, final words and last hugs. Suddenly, accommodations have become more scanty, CDS has lost many great contributors. NCCF is painfully sending people off. Even the weather knows something just happened. It's just sombre over here. The sun is morning and hiding. The cloud is heavy with years. Reality has dawned: there are actually people that we might never ever see again. All we have left are memories of each other; the blockbuster words of wisdom and your mobile contact probably.

Meanwhile, 11 months ago, it was a struggle to make us stay. Especially on the Plateau and in the north generally, it took a lot of persuasion to make people stay. They were made to stay mostly against their will. And those who decided to stay needed much encouragement and consolation. And finally, they obliged. They decided and resolved to bear with everything that happens within the year. Made friends, made money, served and loved. And just about when it was getting most interesting, they're forced to leave again.

I say forced because when you get a serious letter (certificate) signed by two powerful people and an indirect threat of 'no more monthly allowance,' common sense tells you it's time to move. It's time to continue life where you left off a year ago or have an entirely new start.

It was awesome getting to know you all:
Meticulous Garrulous Michael, strike while the iron is still hot.
Tremendous Contagious Timothy, make sure you look into it.
Motherly Chef Mirian, make sure you make that Kunu for your governor
Efficient Dr Abiola, heal the world
Hilarious Jonny Femi, if the navy doesn't appreciate you, start your army
Handsome Minister ThankGod, when you go release album o
Cute Wunmi, stay pretty and keep the fire burning
Firm Wunmi, start disciplined and don't break anyone's bones
Daddy Uncle Bayo, teach those kids to love God too
Unperturbed Emmanuel, you no fit kill yourself jare
Daring Adaptable David, you have a superb definition of service: being one of them
Insightful Laolu, you have lots of reorientation to do in this country
Smiley Ijeoma, I hope people don't misinterpret your smile
Reserved Mercy, break your shell, the world is your playground
Unruffled Ibeinmo, that's how you no invite me for lunch through out
Stealthy Faith, detective or intelligence job won't be bad
Industrious Rachael, flash me when you announce your company's IPO

Personally, I'll miss you all. I hope we meet again. But better still I pray we become great and successful people who bring a great deal of positive influence wherever we find ourselves.

Meanwhile, it's barely 98 days till I get my quit notice from NYSC. See you later, need to put things in order...

Happy 200 Days to 2014 Batch C

It feels just like yesterday (that must have been a very long night though), when we marched to camps from all over the nation. For 200 days, we have become become friends to those we never knew. We have pitched a tent in a place we never imagined to call home. Some of us have probably eaten foods we wouldn't have had access to on a normal day. Some of us have never been away from home this long. Who would ever imagine 200 days has done by?

Just like a friend predicted, it would be really hard making an entry into my diary everyday. I knew I would miss a few days but I never envisaged that they would be so much. This is a special shout out to those who keep at something for so long. Bloggers, friends that send daily broadcasts, and people who constantly share inspiring stuff everyday without missing one out. It's not like they have nothing else to do. They usually do, but they have made a commitment to being consistent. That is a rare commodity. There is always an excuse for being consistent, however, consistency itself is the ability to remain consistent in spite of the excuses.

These 200 days remind me that, we have come a long way. We have fewer days that we have spent already. This, for one, is good news. However, it also sends chills down my spine. I don't want to recall the very big resolutions and promises I made at the beginning. It makes me feel guilty. But taking a cue from a popular preacher by the name Bill Britton, "if I had my way, I would not return to the past. The opportunity to start over cannot outweigh the things I have learnt." No matter how much we love to go back to the past and make corrections, there are things that we have added-knowledge, friends, lessons, experiemces- that isn't worth loosing. I will rather move on with hope.