The NYSC, established by Decree No. 24 of 22 June 1973 and repealed by Decree No. 51 of 16 June 1993, has as its main objective ‘the promotion of unity and integration of the Nigerian youth’.
To achieve this objective, corps members are deployed to states other than their states of origin, where they are expected to mix with people from other ethnic, social and family groups and learn about the culture of the people to whom they are sent. The programme lasts one year. It is known as the National Service Year.Â
SEE THIS: 2023 election: NSCDC to deploy 30,000 Security Operatives
Basic Points of NYSC Service year
The programme has four basic points: Orientation course, Place of primary assignment (PPA), Community Development Services (CDS), and Winding up/passing out parade.
1. Orientation course
This is a three-week course at the beginning of the service year. It usually takes place at an orientation camp. Activities that take place at the camps include
- Registration.
Upon arrival at the NYSC camp, you are encouraged to register immediately. Once you have completed physical registration, you will be given an NYSC kit, which includes a 7/7 (khaki, crested waistcoat, cap, belt, jungle boots and white sneakers), two white crew neck T-shirts and two pairs of white shorts.
You will likely be given items that do not fit. All you need to do is find someone to swap for your clothes or go to the Mammy market.
- Swearing-in Ceremony
What you will see at camp will be the preparation for the swearing-in ceremony. Attend parades and other events early.
- Photographer
At camp, you will find many photographers who would love to have you as a client. So take as many photos as you can with NYSC Khaki. You can also sign a contract with a photographer to give them an identification label. Once you have your photo tag, they can take pictures of you wherever you are.
- Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS)
The camp has a group called OBS (Orientation Broadcasting Service) – a radio station at the NYSC camp. You can join OBS, but it is usually competitive enough to write a test of interest; those who join OBS are usually assigned to urban areas.
- SAED (Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development)
There will be several lecture sessions at the camp. Make sure you attend. You will benefit greatly; take SAED seriously.
- Man O’ War drill
You will also experience Man O’ War drills. Be sure to attend. It is a great way to train your body. You will learn what these drills are all about as a real experience. The meaning of each drill will be explained to you.
- Morning parade.
Each morning there is a general devotional, morning meditation tips and announcements. This is followed by Man O’ war exercises and a parade (led by soldiers).
- Religious Activities
There are opportunities to go to the mosque on Fridays and to church on Sundays. Sunday is the only day when people are allowed to dress at home for a certain amount of time. Try to worship God very often in the camp.
READ ALSO:
- Lagos Passes Bill for Gunshot Treatment
- Other activities
Several activities will take place at the camp. These include football competitions, drama and dance competitions, debating competitions, Mr Macho and Miss NYSC, athletics, carnivals and many more.
- Mammy Market.
The Mammy Market is an experience you will never forget – it’s a market inside the NYSC camp, and everything is cool. At Mammy Market, you can get everything you want. Fun and entertainment are guaranteed at Mammy Market. But be careful not to waste your life there.
2. Place of Primary Assignment (PPA)
On the last day of orientation camp, you will receive a letter stating your place of assignment. Once you have been assigned, the first place you will go to is the Place of primary assignment. This is where you will spend a year after leaving the camp. Placements include secondary schools, companies, universities and government departments.
You can travel to your destination the same day or the next day. To get a good PPA, before you go to the camp, meet the potential company and get a letter of request from them (a letter from the company asking you to work with them for the duration of the PPA). Once you arrive at the camp, submit the letter of request to the authorities and do your best.
What You Need To Know Before Accepting an NYSC PPA
This is for new corps members who want to feel comfortable and enjoy the next 11 months of NYSC. Many employers use corp members to achieve their ultimate business goal.
1. Do not be too anxious
Do not rush to get or accept a PPA. There is always enough time. Don’t be anxious. Don’t be like the many corp members who went to primary school in the name of getting a PPA as quickly as possible and were treated like nannies and had to babysit and clean up the mess of kindergarten children.
2. Comfortable accommodation
Most PPAs do not have accommodation that benefits all corps members assigned to it, either because of equipment problems or because it is too crowded. Therefore, you will sometimes have to find your own accommodation.
3. Your Free days must be allowed
You have one day in a week when you do not have to be at the PPA at all (usually a CDS day). The PPA must be prepared to give you this day in its entirety. You cannot be expected to work several hours on the same day.
4. Local allowance.
For private PPAs, this is an allowance (money) paid by the PPA at the end of each month. This money must be at least ₦5,000,₦15,000, ₦25,000 and up to ₦100,000. Let them know that you do not want to be in debt, as many employers prefer it.
5. Workload.
Try not to overwork them. If you are at school, never teach more than two subjects. But sometimes, out of compassion, you can take more if you can handle it.
6. Research.
Try to find out how existing corp members have been treated by workers, interview and collect information from them in the organisation. This will tell you whether they will keep their promises.
7. Rules and regulations
This may apply to all PPAs, but some have rules that you must follow. This is common in mission schools and organisations, where you are told you are not allowed to wear this or can’t do this or that.
3. Community Development Service
The Community Development Service (CDS) is one of the four (4) cardinal programmes of the NYSC, through which Corps members contribute positively to the development of their host communities during their period of national service. Community Development Service (CDS) are classified into 3:
- Group Community Development Service (Group CDS);
- Personal/Individual Community Development Service (Personal/Individual CDS);
- Collaborative Community Development Service:
List of NYSC CDS Group:
- Corps Legal Aid Group
- NYSC CDS Sports Group
- NYSC Cultural and Tourism Group.
- Education Development Group.
- Environmental Protection and Sanitation Group
- Editorial/Publicity Group
- Road Safety Group
- Reproductive Health & HIV/AIDs Group
- Anti-Corruption (EFCC & ICPC) Group
- Service Delivery Group
- MDGs
- Medical and Health Services Group.
- Drug-Free and Quality Control Group.
- Service Delivery Group
- Agro-Allied Group
- Charity Services and Gender
- Group
4. Winding up/Passing Out Parade
The passing out Parade is the last part of the NYSC’s cardinal points. It is the day when deserving corps members are presented with their discharge certificates. The ceremony is fun as governors, state coordinators, and other NYSC officials acknowledge the event.
Some corps members are rewarded, while others who had problems are sanctioned. For this reason, you need to prepare for the parade. You need to know what to do, when, and where to do it.
How Best To Prepare For The NYSC (POP) Passing Out Parade.
To prepare for the passing parade, you need to do the following;
1. Actively Participate In All NYSC Service Year Activities
Attend to work at your place of primary assignment, attend CDS and make sure you are registered monthly at the secretariat, as this is proof that you are still serving as a corps member.
2. Get Clearance From Your PPA
Three weeks before the deadline, you will need a final clearance form from your employer, without which you will not be able to obtain a discharge certificate.
3. Obtain Clearance From By The Zonal And Local Government Inspectors
These people will sign the form you received from your employer and other forms such as the 4b form, CD clearance form, etc.
4. Make The Required Payments
You must pay a certain amount of money. The amount varies as it depends on the local authority. You will have to pay for a magazine containing photographs of all the retiring corps members in the state, divided according to the different local governments.
5. Attendance At Meetings
Before passing out the parade, meetings are organised for all corps members who have to pass out. At this meeting, important information about the day is explained, and attendance is very important. Some corps members have been disqualified from receiving a discharge certificate due to their absence at this meeting.
6. Put On Full Uniform (7/7)
Prepare your uniform, iron it and keep it in order. Remember what you were taught at camp about how to dress: no open shirts, no coloured shoes, etc.
Remember that everyone’s last days are dangerous.
Safety Tips For Corps Members During NYSC Service Year
- Always inform people of your movements
- Be aware of any dangers
- Do not accept or ask strangers for a lift.
- Do not travel home frequently except if mandatory
- Do not display your valuables
- Do not stay out late at night
- Live close to your PPA
- Live with or around other corp members
- Always carry your ID card with you.
- Always lock your doors.
- Pay attention to relationships with indigenous peoples.
Conclusion
NYSC service year is always full of fun (not too much fun), you get to meet new people (a few marriages have come out of this), make connections and have both loving and sometimes regrettable memories.
