Many graduates look towards their service year with joy and great
expectation. Oh! “Here comes the time to serve my father’s land! A time to be
dressed in the prestigious NYSC outfit and be respected when I appear!” Some exclaim!
And to many a time to earn their first
stipend (allawee) as it called by corps member.
Despite the good
opportunity that the service offers, many corps members waste this privilege by
engaging in some bad practices. Among these mistakes are-:
1. Not Saving some money from your Stipends.
Although the monthly stipend is not much but cultivating the
habit of saving, by keeping some part is a good practice. Some have been able
to start up a project such as business, professional certificate and others
with money saved during their service year. This is not the story of some corps
members who squander everything and even
call for financial assistance from friends and relatives. Financial management is
a skill which corps members should be
encouraged to develop as this will help them later in life.
2. Engaging in Sexual
activities with students.
Recently a corps member in Edo State took to his facebook page
bragging about his sexual escapade with his student in a seconadary school.
This raised an uproar and high criticism from many. I learnt he was arrested
by the law enforcement agency. What a
bad image he has made for himself! Why take advantage of young pupils who are
even beyond the age of conscent? It is even recorded that in some cases this
has led to unwanted pregnancy, thereby hindering the education of those
concerned.
3. Promiscuity by some married corps members.
The service year
to some married corps members is like a
total freedom for them to explore new frontiers. ‘’Yes, now I am out of the
watch of my spouse, am free’’ , some
exclaimed! This to them is an opportunity to get new sex partners, at the
expense of their marriage. They defile the, marriage bed, which can destroy
their homes.
4. Easily falling in love with fake guys.
It is true that most ladies are desperate in getting a fiancé
during their NYSC. Some are afraid, thinking that time is fast running out.
While others complain that age is no longer at their side. This has made some easy
victims to randy guys who come promising them marriage but abscond after sleeping with them. Before engaging in any
love relationship, effort should be made to study the person and as much as possible abstain from sex before
marriage. This will prevent many of the heart breaks and pains.
5. Not venturing into the labour market.
As you are getting
closer to the end of your NYSC, it is advisable you start your job hunt. Many
have landed in lucrative job immediately after service through this
method. You can leverage on this time to
increase your chance of employment. It is true that most corps members do not
think of job hunting until they are out of NYSC. This is not good!
6. Pride
Although being a
graduate and serving your father’s land and called “government pickin” is an
achievement but it should’t result to pride and arrogance. The truth is that
the first degree is just a starting point and there are still more to be done.
Most corps members boast about their new status attracting undue jealousy and
enemies especially from wicked villagers who may result to black magic to
hinder ones success in life.
7. Not planning for life after Service
The NYSC is just
one year. After this period what next? Remember the stipends will stop coming
and you will be catering for yourself, since most parents will have concluded
that they are already done with their responsibility of training you. Corps members should carefully take time to plan for life after the NYSC. Will you be going
into further education? Will it be self employment opportunity, searching for a
job or getting married ? etc. Due to lack of planning, many corps members have
ended up frustrated after their service year, with no clear vision of what to
do.
8. Not seeking for
God’s help and direction
Our troubles will be reduced if we seek the help of God in
our decision and planning. As a person just about to start life, use the period
of the NYSC to serve God faithfully, praying for his help in making you succeed
in the journey that you are about to embark. The truth is that if God be with
you things will work out well. Many have taken to secret cult, armed robbery,
prostitution, yahoo yahoo and other bad vices as a way to make it but they end
being disappointed at the end.
Feel free to add your opinion