EDITOR’S NOTE

It seems like yesterday, we were carrying boxes on our heads running into the Orientation Camp, forced out of bed courtesy of the bugle, marching till we couldn’t feel our legs, boring lectures, camp fire night, collecting of posting letters, rejection, resumption at PPAs (Places of Primary Assignment), CDS (Community Development Service), I can’t believe it’s a year already.

Well it goes to show how time flies, but the good news is you are the pilot. It’s the end of the service year, but the beginning of another phase, as we climb a step further in life. As Youths we are not the leaders of tomorrow but the leaders of today. Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, we are the change that we seek.

ALUU4: JUSTICE YET TO BE SERVED

It has been two years since the murder of four undergraduates of the University of Port Harcourt – Ugonna Ibuzor, Llyod Michael, Tekena Elkanah and Chidiaka Biringa. They were killed in Aluu, Rivers State. They were allegedly beaten to a pulp and then set ablaze by an irate mob over allegations of theft. The incident, captured on video by eye witnesses, attracted widespread outrage and was tagged the most bizarre case of jungle justice to ever occur in Nigeria.

CELEBRATING OUR HEROS

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was established with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among the youths of Nigeria, as well as the promotion of national unity. The scheme which some ill motivated persons tried to write off at inception and have constantly fired at for either not achieving or has outlived its primary purpose, has since grown to such a level of national importance and acceptance, to the extent that no one can today speak of national unity, or rural development, without mentioning the NYSC.

CORPS MEMBER SETS UP COMPUTER LABORATORY IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, GALADIMA

As a way of giving back to the community, Corps members Akpomedaye Ese Grace of the 2013 Batch C embarked on a Personal Community Development Service Project to set up a Computer Laboratory in Government Secondary School, Galadima.

Prior to commencement of the project, she wrote to the NYSC FCT Secretariat on her intention of setting up a Computer Laboratory in one of the Government Secondary Schools in Abuja. She also served notice to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board and the Principal of Government Junior Secondary School, Galadima.

WHAT NEXT?

I must have asked myself this question more than I can remember especially the past few months after passing out (National Youth Service Corps, I mean). Trust me this is not some clueless or some ‘No Future Ambition (NFA)’ typa rant. (‘tis some rant…but not clueless. Lol)

As a Nigerian, the plan has always been there. Go to the university, study something you love, graduate and go for the compulsory one year service to our fatherland, then… then…
Then… words just seem to fail me. A little help with suggestions would do right now. I feel stuck. The only phrase that keeps playing back like a broken record is “what next”.
Here I am, a nocturnal being by default or reset, watching the sun go down and the moon take charge of the night, then observing the breaking of dawn before hitting the sheets… and snooze…

A CALL TO DUTY

Called to serve your motherland, a duty, an obligation, a sanction, a requirement, a prerequisite. What is it to you? We look towards our service year with anticipation or apprehension for various personal reasons, for some it’s a time to get paid, for others it’s a time to meet people and build up networks, for others it is a time to find opportunities in career building, yet for others the reason is simple, it’s a time to leave home and experience freedom from their parents strong hold. Also there are cases of those whose reasons are more noble, to experience other cultures and develop oneself.

(PICTURES) SENSITIZATION FOR SAFE BLOOD DONATION AT EDITORIAL BOARD CDS