ON THE FLIP SIDE

- Ojedeji Joseph

The cost of national integration is too small a price to pay for generations yet unborn.
The national youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme as envisaged in its founding goals holds national unity and integration as its main vision. Youths from the nation’s tertiary institutions as well as those who schooled overseas are posted to states other than their states of origin or regions to give a mandatory one year service to their fatherland. This is major requirement for employment as relevant laws have stipulated that those who graduate before the stipulated age of 30 years must partake in the scheme before being considered  for employment by organizations and agencies, whether private or public. While those who are above the stipulated age at graduation are presented with exemption certificates.

Consequently, the mandatory one-year service has yielded several benefits for those who partake and some cases regrets in no small measure. For the former, their lives take shape after service as jobs are guaranteed or secured, skills are gained, lives are affected while for the latter, that marks the birth of their woes and travail. It is no longer news among corps members that most of them label the scheme as a “scam” for whatever reasons best known to them. Some anchored the assertion on welfare measures put in place for corps members who are required to leave their home states to other unknown and uncharted territories,  hence survival of the fittest turns real. This has led some corps members to involve in several abominable acts for survival or pleasure. While some simply engage their inner minds to involve in meaningful ventures, others involve acts such as trading the flesh for financial gains. These form a critical mass of what is proverbially referred to as “one bad apple in a bunch” and they cut across both gender.

 Right from orientation camps,  those who are socially outgoing cut corners despite the regimented nature of the camps to make out with the opposite sex. This is the story of some corps members in a particular state in Northern part of the country as recounted by John (not the real name). John, a serving corps member prefers to remain anonymous. He recounts his experience on camp one fateful night as he was chilling out with his committee of friends at the popular “Mami” market before the daily lights out. He observed some of the military men have filled table with a large number of corps members who have been acquainted during the course of the camp. The sight attracted his attention and he moved closer to find out what occasion the excess buzz and suya might be. He quietly excused himself and went over to the next shop where food was sold, he picked a table close by and in no time, one of the young ladies who serves as an attendant came over to his table. John, knowing he was not there to patronize them but gain information that will satisfy his inquisitive mind, quickly engaged her in a social conversation,  and she  fell for it. In no time, he quickly asked her about the military men and corps members in the next stall. The loquacious girl wasted no time in taking John through bit-by-bit nucturnal activities of corps members and military men who drink to stupor,  and those who engage in several intimate acts in dark corners around as well as other camp officials who make out with female corps members in order to obtain juicy postings. John was thrilled by the disclosure and to satisfy the girl’s madam curiosity who started beckoning; he tipped the girl 100 Naira for soft drink and asked to take his leave. This story is one among many coming from activities that happen on camp within 3 weeks.
Out of camp experience for corps members in new terrain has been with several mixed feelings and expectations after receiving posting letters on the last day of camp. For those who have participated in the scheme can relate well with this feeling. Shortly after finding routes to their Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), some hopes are dashed with working condition under which they are expected to deliver. Thus, the harsh reality stares at them in the face squarely. Some summon the courage to devise several crooked ways of being rejected so as to seek for other favorable PPAs. Some simply accept their fate and carry on with their original PPA irrespective of what betides them there. The service year holds several surprises for these young graduates, both pleasant and unpleasant. New associations are formed and alliances are strengthened for several reasons. Some fall victims of peer pressure who finally give in to several social vices while some simply seek avenues of  bettering their lot. Some on the other hand have fallen victims of innocent enticements by supposed friends who prey on them especially the female ones. This is the story Aisha (not her real name) who almost got raped by Femi (not real name). she recounted that Femi approached her after Community Development Service (CDS) meeting on a faithful day and eventually formed an acquaintance. Shortly afterwards, he invited her to his place, which she obliged. She was happy she met Femi, she even informed her friends about her new found friend when she got to the lodge that faithful day. The day of the visitation finally came and she dressed smartly to look presentable. She got to Femi’s place and spent quite a considerable period of time getting to know each other. However, things began to take different dimensions when Femi suddenly came close and pushed her to his bed. She asked him to stop,  but he would not as he was already full of passion. He tried to force himself on her but she resisted and a fight ensued. Eventually, she was able to break loose from his grip and quickly made for the door. Traumatized as she was, she refused to report the case but shared the experience with her close friends with a promise to keep the ordeal secret. This is one of the numerous cases of social disorders found on the flip side of the “good” coin,  (NYSC). Not to talk of the story of cohabitation among corps members who live like full time husband and wives during service year. Morality is draining. Will this scheme salvage it?

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