[dropcap]I[/dropcap]ts a new month again, and before you know it the year is almost over, let me officially say happy new month to my readers. This week has really been busy for me, but I try to make sure I post at least once a week on the blog, and Friday seems to work for me. If I can post more than once a week I’ll, just like I have done before.
Today, I’ll share a short article I wrote a while back on Facebook whilst I was serving my Nation Nigeria, if anything, I’m very passionate about this country. PLEASE IGNORE THE SNAPCHAT DOG FILTER, this was the only selfie I could lay my hands on that has me wearing the NYSC uniform.
Although I would not be sharing my NYSC experience now, I might be doing that in another post, this post is just to reflect back on the actions I took as a Corper in relation to the society and system of government.
I want to see the change we talk about. I saw these people on the road, and my passion was once more ignited, and I felt the need to write and create awareness on the poor living conditions the people in Nigeria face day in day out. If you are reading this, and you are not a Nigerian, or you aren’t aware of what NYSC stands for or what it means to be a Corper, I have got you covered!
NYSC stands for National Youth Service Corps. NYSC was set up by the Nigerian Government to engage the country’s graduates in the development of the country. It’s a compulsory one year program done after obtaining your first degree (B.Sc., B.Eng., HND, etc.). NYSC is compulsory for those that plan to work in Nigeria.
Below is the article I wrote a while back, enjoy!
“I’m a corper serving my fatherland in Bayelsa state. This morning, while I was on my way to my PPA (Primary Place of Assignment) I saw some retired pensioners protesting because they are tired of waiting, tired of being forgotten, tired of being hungry, tired of so many things I cannot think of because I do not know what it’s like to be in their shoes, neither do “their employers”.
Oh well! I saw them and my first instinct was to record them and put it on SNAPCHAT, because that is what I always do, ‘post anything I think is worth posting” and also to create awareness on what people here in Bayelsa are going through. These pensioners are not the only ones who I have seen protest, other state and Local Government workers have not been paid there salaries for over three to four months.
While protesting in front of the Government house, the police”our friend” throws tear gas at her fellow citizens therefore taking away their rights to freely express themselves.
I do not need to highlight the disadvantages of such a thing to the people, to the state and her country as a whole. I hear this is not only happening in Bayelsa, other gentlemen corp members in other states in the country also explained to me that their state/government workers/civil servants have not been paid. They are laying off large amounts of people like it’s no man’s business, leaving them with no alternative.
And yet we complain of increase in theft, kidnapping and whatnots. All these unfriendly treatment is just an aspect of what the Nigerian people are facing. Silence is not going to solve anything. Ignoring complaints of her people, not acting or giving a positive response to the voices and cries of her people is not going to solve the problem.
I believe the Government knows what to do, yet they fail to do so… #whereischange
Editor: Uche Okwechime
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“I raise my voice, not so that I can SHOUT, but so those without a voice can be heard. – Malala Yousafzai”
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