NYSC: A Call To Action For Nigerian Youth, By Abubakar Idris Misau

“You are free to show me what is bad about Nigeria, but don’t be angry when I show you what is good about Nigeria.” – Gen IBM Haruna

Located in West Africa, covering the land mass of 923 million hectares, Nigeria; with over 211 million citizens is the most populous black nation and the most resourceful country in Africa. The multicultural – accommodating more than five hundred (500) ethnic groups and the Africa’s Economic Capital, agreeably, qualifies to be addressed as the “Giant of Africa”.

Sadly however, turning the other side of the coin, ‘The Giant’ is one of the dwarfest [if there exists a word like that] in terms of human capital development. Following Namibia closely, Nigeria is the second country with the highest rate of unemployment (33%). The result of this unemployment getting married to a double digits inflation is evident in the poverty status of the country’s populace. Mostly affecting women and youths, poverty is at its climax in our dear nation. In an ironical achievement, Nigeria had recently (2022) overtook India as the world’s poverty capital! Worth saying, Indian is five times more populated than Nigeria.

Considering the abundance of natural and human resources, Nigeria should be one of the greatest nations in the world. Meanwhile, poverty in this part of the world is a paradox; rooted in corruption and misplacement of priorities. Leadership is one our major challenges. Fish, they say got rotten from its head. Like many developing countries, Nigeria’s problems are many. Putting it simply well, things are not standing well. Wherever one’s thoughts and ideas might came from, in a country where sleeping with two eyes, working, traveling, and almost everything you do could mean exposing yourself to an early grave visit; things are not standing well! Melancholia is a perfect word to describe the situation of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, every good solution starts with the good understanding of the problem itself. Accounting for more than half of the Nigeria’s population (60%), it appears apparent that youth must be engaged in addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic crises. Youth Build puts it this way and I quote; “You can’t make decisions about young people in the absence of their voices and ideas. With youth involvement the work is much more meaningful, much more relevant, and to be perfectly honest, a lot more fun. Their perspectives are very fresh and new, they challenge a lot of old assumptions and you get a much stronger decision making process if you are working with young people who are going to benefit from your program”.

In an attempt to groom youths for the task of building and reviving the nation, a one year compulsory national service for graduates below 30 years was initiated on the 22nd day of May, 1973. Since its inception, the National Youth Service Corp – known for short as NYSC, become the most popular and effective program with no second. “The scheme was created with a view to the proper encouragement and development of communities among the youth of Nigeria and the promotion of National Unity”. Discipline, moral tone, attitude of mind, self reliance, removing prejudice, eschewing religious intolerance, and free movement of labour are some of the achieved aims of NYSC.

Having undertaken and extensively benefited from the program, I have come to believe that youth, especially those that are NYSC trained, more than any other, have the potentials to put Nigeria back to the track. Meanwhile, to do that, some of the useful guiding principles I have learned during my service year (NYSC) might serve as their compass. To sound more communicative, I chose to write them in second person tone:

1. You know by READING. Books sell confidence and courage; and in turn result in excellence. While confidence and courage are simple to say, finding them is not as they sound. “Make reading your own religion” as the Nigerian Author Chimamanda would say. Fiction or nonfiction, philosophy or science, psychology or history, or religion, or politics; readers are leaders. Read extensively!

2. SKILLS sell. “The semi-illiterate of the future will be people who have degrees but no skills” Technology is a language every one aiming to excel in this 21st century must learn to speak. You need it. Entrepreneurship skills are gold. Don’t miss them for a brass. Learn and master some skills, or just few. But please do! Check for what’s relevant and essential. Master the art of public speaking and learn to write well. Devote yourself in learning; for until then, you don’t know how much you worth.

3. Have PATIENCE: By saying; “Vulture is a patient bird” I think James Hadley Chase was right. Vultures do not fight to eat; they wait for their prey to die. And they have never starve. So, prevent yourself from the so-called ‘youth’s disease’ Get-rich-quick-syndrome. There is no rule that says one must be a millionaire at thirty and nobody says you must be the richest person in the world to impact your community. You don’t need to be Dangote or Otedola to be happy. Of course you need to have a single minded devotion towards your goals and strive so hard to earn so well. But then, be patient and kind. Work towards your goals as though you are to live forever, and be kind as if you are to die today. You need both softness and hardness to be at the balance. A true success is such that is earned at the equilibrium.

4. Don’t be a Football Team without COACH and SUPPORTERS: As Moses needed an assistant; Aron, you and I need coaches. Not only politicians need supporters and advisers. Think about Prophets Muhammad and Jesus Christ delivering their messages without their companions and apostles! Support doesn’t necessarily means financial aid, it maybe few words like “you can do it” from friends and family. However, have yourself (a) role model(s). Role models are human beings and so are not flawless people. They just have to be people from whom you drive the inspiration to keep moving.

5. NETWORK widen up your Horizon: It is true that what you know really counts and that justifies the need for extensive reading and skills learning. ‘Who you know’ on the other hand, is equally essential. You need a wide range of networks. Don’t rely on those three (3) friends and ten (10) family members of yours. You deserve more! Get like minds and unlike minds; meet professionals and unprofessionals; connect with younger and elder ones; and take no one for granted. You might not know when, where or how, but “Every dog has it day”.

6. Religion and BELIEVE: Some issues require nothing more than spiritual intervention. No matter how much smart, learned and skilled you might be, there will naturally comes a trial time. You may work all the ideas on earth and nothing good will pop up. The more you try, the worst it gets. In such situations talking to God [The Supernatural Being you believe in] through prayers and or incantation might be the best solution. Don’t joke with this. Try it! And as usual, don’t be in a haste; be patient.

Abubakar Idris Misau, a graduate of Forestry and Wildlife from University of Maiduguri, writes from Yola, Nigeria. He can be reached via email at abubakaridrismisau@gmail.com or on phone through +2349030178211