THE MANY BENEFITS OF THE NYSC SCHEME
Last year and early this year I read a lot of articles and negative comments about the NYSC scheme. But not many people have shared the success stories they experienced during their service year.
NYSC was one of the platforms God used to help me understand what I was to do with my life and the scheme helped set my career path. I am a graduate of Covenant University. I studied Management Information System.
In my final year, just before my convocation, I asked God to please let me get posted where I would make the most of my year as I had heard rumours that it was going to be a waste of time. I graduated with a 3.2 CGPA and at the time, I was worried about not getting a good job because of my result. I desired a platform to give my best in whatever place of primary assignment. I did not even think about “working” my NYSC.
I was posted to Anambra State. A lot of my friends advised I redeploy but I remembered what I asked God for and I was determined to serve and make the most of my service year. My parents were also very supportive and proud about their baby girl becoming an independent woman.
After three weeks in camp, I was posted to Anambra Broadcasting Service for my primary assignment. I resumed work a week after camp. During my service year, I carried out a few community development projects. One, I trained news and programmes department staff in Awka and Onitsha branch offices of Anambra Broadcasting Service on multimedia, mobile and social media journalism. Two, I enlightened secondary school press club students in my community of residence on media and information literacy. I sourced for sponsors to provide provisions and equipment to meet the needs of the children in a local orphanage home at Ifite, Anambra State. Three, I enlightened youths in Anambra State on the importance of peace through artistic expressions (dance, drama, music) conveying a message to vote and not fight in the 2015 elections. This event held in February 2015.
I still work for Anambra Broadcasting Service but I have now additional responsibilities and I am happy about that. Initially I worked as the personal assistant to the managing director but as time went on I started learning presenting skills, marketing skills; I learnt how to use software’s to edit, shoot videos, conduct interviews, etc.
Meanwhile, on weekends, I took a short course in project management and after I got a certificate, I began assisting the organisation on projects. Now, I have an online programme ‘Everyday People’ that airs on the organisation’s YouTube channel (absradiotv). This programme showcases the lives of people, small business owners in the state and what they do to provide for themselves. I also have a radio show on Saturdays “rave of the moment”. I discuss trending issues with listeners who call into the show.
I observed I enjoy presenting so I started a YouTube channel (Biola Jinadu) where I share my experiences and challenges.
Upon completion of my service, I received an award for outstanding performance from the NYSC Board Chairman, Anambra State Chapter.
Last month, I started my personal project, Students meet Graduate in Awka. It is a one day workshop to ensure that outgoing secondary school students (SS3) are prepared before they begin the next phase of their life as an undergraduate. My goal is to give the students a guide to life at the university. I visit schools and drop questionnaires for the SS3 students to fill, I carry out the analysis and based on the data I get, I speak to the students. I have been to two schools now, comprising of 214 SS3 students.
During my service year, I am not saying I did not have time when I felt depressed or missed my family. I just never allowed myself to be overwhelmed by those feelings. I took breaks to visit my family whenever I got homesick. Thankfully, Governor Willie Obiano had created measures to keep the state secure so I did not have to worry about safety as long as I was at the right place at the right time, doing the right thing.
Believe me, all of these accomplishments would not have happened if not for the NYSC scheme. Individually, we have to be prepared to serve mentally and physically. A person has to truly desire something before it can happen. It is the law of attraction.
Biola Jinadu, Awka, Anambra State