On November 1st, 2023, following mobilization by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, I enrolled with the NYSC at one of the accredited centers i...
I departed Zaria on November 2, 2023, via a commercial bus. Following a six-hour journey, I arrived in Bauchi and spent the night there. On the afternoon of the 3rd of November, which was a Friday, I boarded another commercial car for a 60-kilometer journey to the camp where I had been deployed.
Immediately upon my arrival at Wailo camp, I underwent registration with the NYSC officials. Subsequently, I received the necessary items and materials for my three-week stay at the camp. The orientation period was a blend of joy, intensity, lasting memories, education, and valuable information. I vividly recall the rigorous drilling, the monotonous parades, and the enlightening lectures delivered by various professional bodies, including but not limited to the DSS, Army, Police, NHIA, WEMA Bank, Fire Service, NIM, NSE, OIC Foundation, NAFDAC, FRSC, NDLEA, NDE, NGOs, SDGs, NOA, USAID, and YOMA, among others.
The army and Man O' War were highly professional in their approaches. Despite the unfamiliar circumstances we found ourselves in, I personally enjoyed the teachings and orientation provided at the camp.
Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), an acronym for a NYSC program established in 2012, was designed to tackle the pervasive issue of unemployment, a significant challenge confronting Nigerian youths and graduates today. This issue has become a matter of national concern as some of our most educated and dynamic individuals are not actively contributing to economic and social development.
The SAED program was charged with raising awareness among corps members about the realities of the Nigerian job market. By offering foundational entrepreneurship training and practical skills, it aimed to empower them to consider the possibilities of self-employment or initiating their own businesses.
Many corps members harbor disdain for the program, often attributing it to the lengthy duration of both the lectures and practical sessions. During our orientation camp, the program ran daily from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., spanning a full 5 hours. In the classroom, it was common to observe corps members dozing off, engrossed in their smartphones, displaying signs of fatigue, or engaging in other forms of unserious behavior.
To me, that period was the highlight of the orientation camp. I gained invaluable knowledge, particularly during the lecture delivered by an official from the National Directorate of Employment following the distribution of the guidebook titled "Starting My Own Small Business: Participant’s Workbook." This lecture served as a pivotal and transformative moment for anyone who was responsible and attentive.
We were imparted with comprehensive insights into the intricacies of establishing a formal business in Nigeria, along with the diverse opportunities available across various sectors. Additionally, we learned about the avenues through which one could secure grants or loans from government agencies tasked with that responsibility or from commercial banks to facilitate business expansion.
Many individuals who had successfully leveraged these opportunities were invited to deliver practical lectures, and they did so with professionalism and expertise. Their firsthand experiences served as invaluable lessons for us, providing practical insights and guidance on how to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape effectively.
I listened attentively, maintained focus, and diligently documented all the necessary information provided during the SAED program. Hajia Jummai Idris Reme, the Head of the SAED program in the camp, often reiterated to us that "the SAED program is a corps members' pathway to wealth creation," and I wholeheartedly agreed with her sentiment. With commitment and dedication, one could indeed create their own wealth using the knowledge acquired during the SAED program.
Prior to attending the camp, I already had a business idea, and I was working diligently towards realizing it. However, attending the SAED classes further ignited and encouraged my efforts. As a result, I recently took the step to register my business with the Corporate Affairs Commission, spurred on by the confidence and insights gained from the SAED program.
In Wailo Camp, I initially participated in the ICT class under the SAED program, but I eventually discontinued my involvement due to some reservations. Subsequently, I joined the educational class, which I found to be very engaging. However, the class experienced low participation rates. Although we initially started with around twenty-plus participants, we concluded the class with fewer than 10 individuals.
Despite the low turnout, I thoroughly enjoyed the educational class. We were exposed to numerous informative, educative, and innovative ideas about education, which enriched my understanding and perspective on the subject.
Most of the participants in the educational class were educators, with the exception of myself and one other individual. It was during this class that I learned about the legal processes involved in opening a private school. I owe my gratitude to Aishatu Yusuf Saje, the head of the educational class, for imparting such valuable knowledge.
Isa Mohammed Inuwa and I were privileged to represent the educational class on Friday, November 17th, 2023, during the inter-platoon skills acquisition competition exhibition at the camp. Following my presentation, Mrs. Rifkatu Daniel Yakubu, the Bauchi State Coordinator, offered us valuable advice. She emphasized the importance of establishing a standard school that would contribute to the development of education in our country. Mrs. Yakubu highlighted the prevalence of substandard schools and stressed the significance of ensuring quality education. Her advice resonated deeply with us and served as a timely reminder of our responsibility to shape the educational landscape.
With the assistance of the SAED program, four corps members were able to secure a total of 2.3 million Naira in grants. Among the 90 corps members who submitted their business plans, seven were selected to present their proposals to officials from WEMA Bank, as well as fellow corps members and other NYSC officials. Ultimately, four corps members emerged as grant recipients, with amounts awarded as follows: 800,000 Naira, 700,000 Naira, 600,000 Naira, and 200,000 Naira, respectively. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the SAED program in fostering entrepreneurship and facilitating financial empowerment among corps members.
I believe that the prevalent laziness among many youths today contributes negatively to their disdain for the SAED program. Several corps members have expressed to me that they consider it the most "boring" aspect of the orientation camp. However, personally, I find the parade to be the most tedious part of the camp. This is because I lack any passion for becoming an army or paramilitary officer, which diminishes my enthusiasm for the parade activities.
Absolutely, the blame should not be placed on the NYSC SAED program itself. Instead, it is the laziness and lack of foresight among many of our youth and graduates that hinder their appreciation of this valuable opportunity. The SAED program serves as a platform to showcase talents and acquire knowledge that can be instrumental in thriving during and after the NYSC program. It is essential for us to seize this opportunity and make the most of it, as it may only come once in a lifetime.
Ammar Muhammad Rajab is a journalist who writes from Kano and can be reached at ammarmuhammad1993@gmail.com
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