Every beginning of a new month rings a bell in the ear of most corps members. It heralds a new adventure; visits to the Cinemas, Spa, Wuse Market, Yahuza Suya spot, “Abacha” joint, just name it!
These are signs that "Allawee don show". However the question is "is this all about the National Youth Service Corps?"
The National Youth Corps was founded in the year 1973. Its aim and objectives were to build graduate youths who are Passionate and selfless to the growth and development of their “father land" Nigeria.
The Pioneers of the National Youth Service Corps did just that. They worked tirelessly through tough and very rigorous conditions. They went to rural communities not thinking of what they would gain from these communities but rather, shared their knowledge and ideas to the populace through voluntary education and awareness, farming, erection of sculptures and construction of various amenities such as bridges, wells, market places and much more. At the end of their service year, they were greatly missed by the communities in which they served.
These selfless acts led to most of them becoming influential industrialists, educationists, etc, but this is not the case in recent times. We have graduate youths who know little or nothing and are not willing to share their little knowledge with the less privileged among them. We have youths who struggle and are willing to offer bribe to be posted to choice establishments and whose major concern is the take home pay at the end of the month.
Rural communities are left not cared for as the "unfortunate" corps members (as they see themselves), who are posted to villages abandon their service in search of what they call "Greener Pastures" while they collect their pay at the end of every month.
Yes, we all cannot serve in rural areas as the urban centres require our skills and expertise as well. However, we still need to pay closer attention to the communities around us. For example, a past corps member by the name Chidebe Runcie FCT/13A/3156 did an NYSC personal project on breast cancer awareness and little did he know that this selfless act brought about international recognition which enabled him participate and win the sum of $1000 US Dollars in the just concluded World Economic Forum. With this citation, we are all encouraged to give to the society no matter how little.
I end with this popular quotation "it is not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country"
The emphasis is and should not be on the money but on leaving a lasting mark on the sands of time.
By Sajere Precious Efe
No comments:
Post a Comment