It’s been a long while, I had any
reason to be angry, so I thought I had begun to deal with anger better. Today,
there is a flip side to my good boy and sweet CDS experience (DIARY OF AN ONDO KOPA II and II). In todays meeting, we had to
disagree to agree on the best way forward. But when points came as bullets, the
natural response was FORCE.
However, the beauty of a team is
in its readiness to work together despite faults. Shielding each other’s
weakness and standing point guard in times of trouble,but when there is a
mutual distrust of intentions, it is a sign of a crack that needs to be dealt
with fast. Unarguably, we must disagree, but it must never be at the detriment
of the success of the whole team.
That said, today’s diary will not
deal on activities within my CDS as there are some moments I want to forget. I
will focus on the capacity of the NYSC to be a platform for collapsing ethnic
stereotypes.
The scheme remains a microcosm of the larger society, and as the issue of Biafra protesters continue to make headlines, it has become important that panaceas should be discussed.
The scheme remains a microcosm of the larger society, and as the issue of Biafra protesters continue to make headlines, it has become important that panaceas should be discussed.
Why can’t we live peaceably as
one as a nation? Why the divisions? Is there any reason why we cannot deal with
the mutual distrust? Why can’t we even work for the good of the nation, using
our host or indigenous communities as stepping stones? The questions abound.
But, I believe that more than ever before our history as a nation should be
taught, with a view to understanding where we are now and a vision of making
sure that our tomorrow is better.
The National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC) is one of the solutions initiated to heal the wounds after the Nigerian
Civil war. I think it will be better if the tenets of unity, integration and
reconciliation are taught within the orientation course, from the prism of how
things should have been and the importance of not making the same mistake again.
Unarguably, the scheme brings
together different people from all works of life, to work for a better Nigeria.However,it has become imperative to teach and understand the true meaning of working
together without the shady clouds of bias that have been taught down through
generations.The NYSC provides an important platform of
national integration and collapsing of ideological barriers. It remains a
powerful tool to make people look beyond their differences, to what we can do
to solve the problems we have noticed in the nation.
I had the opportunity to be part
of those that produced the last SUNSHINE KOPA MAGAZINE, and the theme was
collapsing the walls of ethnic stereotypes. The magazine focused on how the
NYSC has provided a platform of interaction, communication, reconciliation and
rehabilitation; and the need to properly harness this opportunity. From the
camp, to your CDS, trainings, PPA, host communities etc, there is a chance to
form real partnerships that can be channelled towards national growth.
Moreover, this is the point:
Corps members should begin to take responsibility of initiating actions to mend
the gaps. Don’t wait for the scheme. Form cross –cultural relationships that is born
out of producing a unified force towards national development. See the one year
mandatory service as a time to recruit foot soldiers of the change mantra you want
to see in the society. Often times, I have seen people throw stones at the
structure; but can we make do with what we have, thereby making a case for
a better one.
It is pertinent to note that
youths are the driving force of a nation’s development. They possess the time,
energy, drive and flexibility to turn things around. If we have a parade of
corps members that properly understand the intentions and tenets of the scheme,
working hard to achieve unity while developing yourself to be excellent in your
niche; then the real change can be achieved. Who has more professionals than
the NYSC? The scheme remains a reservoir of the best of teeming youths. It is
left for us (corps members) to make proper use of this prospect, form teams
that will change the course of the nation and make us the pride of the world.
One year is enough to start a revolution of nationalists who believe that Nigeria
is the best place to be…
Youths obey the clarion call
Let us lift our nation high
Under the sun or in the rain
With dedication and selflessness
Nigeria is ours
Nigeria we serve…….
