POST | NYSC: A Waste Of Time And A Scam?

NYSC: A WASTE OF TIME AND A SCAM? 

Is NYSC really a waste of time? Is NYSC a SCAM? Before I answer this, let me make it clear first of all that NYSC being a waste of time or not is RELATIVE, and it's totally dependent on you. What exactly do I mean? Simple. You alone can decide for yourself if NYSC is (or will be) a waste of time for you, or a scam. There is no ABSOLUTE answer to this question.

So I just concluded my NYSC 2 weeks ago. Few years back, I was of the opinion that NYSC was just a sheer waste of valuable time that can be invested into something more beneficial. I had my reasons though, and one of them was because age wasn't on my side. I've had really rough times in my life that kinda resulted in wasted years, but I don't see them as wasted years anymore. That aside. So NYSC really didn't make any sense to me because I had dreams I was eager to pursue and I wasn't ready to let no NYSC waste another year of my life, delaying my dreams. But you know, opinions change. Mine did, and I'm GLAD it did.

My service year was really amazing! I served in Ibeno L.G.A in Akwa-Ibom State. I experienced a new culture, new people, new mindsets and ideologies. I got to also meet awesome people from around the nation, ESPECIALLY Believers in Christ, made meaningful connections, established special bonds with a few, and yes, I did MINISTRY. Let me also add that I was highly favoured (especially financially) throughout my stay in Akwa-Ibom. Had a few challenging times, I even got duped by someone who should be a brother, and I let it go just like that (so unlike me), but I never lacked. I had enough to help others. I was actually earning more than twice the amount of the NYSC allawee, and it's because I learnt to stretch myself during my NYSC year. It wasn't easy, it was really tough but well, I was enjoying the benefits. 😎

The motto of NYSC is SERVICE & HUMILITY. Funny enough, this should be the mantra of every (aspiring) leader. You can't lead without serving, and serving requires being humble. I guess it's safe to say NYSC is intended to build leaders, but you can't be built up by the scheme if you don't see it that way. In my own little capacity, I can say I SERVED in all HUMILITY. I discovered problems in the community where I served, especially in education/career choice, and I did my best to provide solutions. I educated and encouraged a few students on a personal level, not as their Mathematics teacher but as their big brother. I also shared a few of my failures with them so they don't make the same mistakes I made at their age.

I didn't understand the impact I made on these kids until I announced to them that I was finally leaving because I was done with NYSC. They got all emotional and didn't want me to leave. Some couldn't hold back their tears. We took a lot of pictures and selfies that day. During my NYSC, I counselled some, ministered the gospel to some, and inspired some. And I'm glad to say I saw results (even in their Mathematics), though not as much as I expected. But there was definitely much improvement.

As difficult as it was for me (because of my side hustles) I still tried to learn and do some things towards my music career. And the result was my latest single, iFocus, mixed and mastered by me. I know my music production skills have improved, but I still got work to do. I learnt to appreciate time and hard work. I also learned to manage people because I was the President of my CDS group. I learnt how to survive in a strange land and adapt effortlessly in very little time. I learnt how to mind my business and live a quiet responsible and independent life. I learnt to trust, love and give more. I learnt to take well calculated risks to get what I wanted, and I'm really GLAD I did! So many things I learnt and gained during my NYSC year, I can't put it all here.

So is NYSC really a waste of time and a scam? Obviously, my NYSC year wasn't a waste of time. I utilized every bit of my time very well in Akwa-Ibom State, right from the time I entered NYSC Camp. Or let me put it this way; I DID NOT WASTE MY TIME DURING MY NYSC. I left my indelible mark in the lives of people in SERVICE & HUMILITY. I did all that on PURPOSE because I had it all PLANNED OUT before NYSC.

But if you think NYSC is a waste of time and a scam, I will also agree with you, because it means you wasted your time during NYSC and scammed yourself, or for those yet to do NYSC, you unconsciously plan to waste your time and scam yourself. It's dependent on you. You alone can decide if NYSC is (or will be) a waste of time and a scam. You can plan ahead and use your time meaningfully during NYSC, or you just go ahead and waste your time during NYSC. Your choice. I made my choice, and I didn't waste my time. So NYSC wasn't actually a waste of time or a scam for me. It was valuable time invested that was highly beneficial. I'm grateful for the opportunities NYSC granted me.

—Dikky

#TID #ThisIsDikky #iFocus