The Journey Has Come to an End

There is a quote that says, you don't know when a journey will end if you haven't begun. Also, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. It has indeed been a full one-year experience with my National Youth Service Corps which started last year in November and ended yesterday (10/10/24).

It all began when I was posted to Kebbi State in the North. I remember how I cried so hard and there was nothing I could do than to brace up and start preparing for the journey. I was initially posted to the West before my grandma died a day after and that made me not to go.

When it was time to go for camp training, I didn't join them because of the unexpected demise. I stayed and was hoping I would be reposted to the same state, unknowingly there was another plan for me. When the next call-up letter came out, I saw Kebbi State. I have always heard how the security in the North was a dangerous one, especially with these terrorists. I was scared of going but my siblings encouraged me assuring me that nothing would happen.

I made up my mind and travelled for over 13 hours journey on the road. My family kept calling to know how far as they were scared just like me. Thankfully, I got to the camp safely with other corp members who made the journey interesting.

Twenty-one days after the rigorous exercises in the camp, we all left making me excited about how my relocation back to the West worked out successfully, all thanks to my aunt who knew some people who were connected to the Nysc and everything came out fine.

I travelled with some friends I met in the camp as we all relocated to Oyo State and it worked for us. It was another 13 hours back home but the happiness was written over me how I wouldn't be staying in a strange land for my service; some did relocate too but weren't approved.

I did everything I needed to do for the relocation process and was posted to a town with not much exposure.

I joined the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for my CDS and it was all fun. It was there I learnt how to speak in public, sensitising the community about drug abuse and how to overcome it. How I was made the lecture coordinator was another beautiful thing.

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Nysc has been a stressful journey so far. I had thought the programme wouldn't be as hectic as when I was in school but it was not like that. So full of stress; ranging from going to my place of primary assignment with heavy loads of work put on corpers to standing in the queue for long hours all in the name of monthly biometrics and thumbprinting. Then the CDS saga putting on the almighty khaki dresses and jungle boots.

Oh my! I do not like dressing in that uniform because of how market sellers and bike riders would bill us as if we were being paid in millions. They would say we are the government's children and so, they treat us well. What they didn't know is that the 33k we collect every month is like a spirit that disappears immediately after we receive it.

Thanks to my blogging on Hive. I was able to complement the earnings with my monthly allowance to help me survive and handle a lot of responsibilities. Someone asked if we saved our allowances or if it saved us, and I replied with "Both". I did save part of my allowances which has gone a long way in saving me too.

I enjoyed my apartment too, even though there was no constant electricity, there was the assurance of charging every night as my pastor and his family would put on the generator and it helped me be active with my phone.

Days I would return home so tired and preparing something for myself would be difficult. Most times I ended up drinking garri and other times I just strolled out to the nearby eatery to get some snacks to sustain me till the next day. The people in this vicinity have been nice too including those from the church I worship at. It was a wonderful experience and time with them. I didn't lack the things I needed as they were always providing them for me.

When I told them of my POP, they felt sad knowing I would be leaving soon after my service and it was like I shouldn't go but continue staying with them but you know, we meet to part and we part to meet...that's life. Our prayers are to continue to stay safe and in good health while pursuing career and goals. I will really miss them when I leave.

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So, I got to the secretariat yesterday and thank God everything was done on time as there was no delay, unlike the other previous batches who finished everything in the evening. We collected our certificates and everything ended around 12pm.

Myself and other Ndlea members moved to the office to get our certificates too and after sitting for like 10-15 minutes, we were issued our certificates, took pictures and bid ourselves goodbye with wishes and prayers here and there.

By the time I got home, I was so weak, ate some snacks and slept. I couldn't stop receiving calls from people congratulating me, prayers and wishes on my DM and the beautiful thing was how I got a monetary gift from my sister who said I should treat myself to a nice meal but no, I had other plans as I want to host a small party in my house on Sunday inviting some of my friends to come around and celebrate with me.

Not to forget the beautiful gifts I got from my PPA on Wednesday. I got bedsheets, mugs, plastic cups/plates, wristwatches/bangles, buckets, soaps and money from staff members, the students and the management. They wanted to retain me to continue teaching but I told them my plans of leaving to another city for a new life.

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To wrap it up, I am grateful to God for His faithfulness and the nice people I have met throughout the journey.

It's time to face the reality of life.

No more monthly allowance from the government.

No more putting on a Khaki dress.

No more going to PPA (place of primary assignment).

No more CDS (Community Development Service).

No more standing in queues for monthly Biometric full of stress and frustration 💃💃💃

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^{All pictures belong to me}