Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in certain places. Places we
would never wish to be under normal circumstances. If we let our negative
opinions or fears about such places get the better part of us, or fail to
realize that God has special reasons for everything, we end up missing out on
all the good things God kept in store for us.
The NYSC camp had always enjoyed the number one spot on my “places I
never want to spend a moment in” list. I hated and dreaded it so much that I
spent the whole of my third year in the university praying that the scheme gets
scrapped before I become a graduate.
Till the day I stepped into camp, I never imagined myself there. This
made me spend my first two days in camp whining about the environment. Then I
thought to myself, “there must be the good side of the camp”
Three days into camp, I joined the Orientation Broadcasting Service
(OBS). I actually joined to escape the parade and drills but then I figured
that there was more to it than met the eyes. It’s crew members made me realize
how wrong it is to judge people from afar without giving them the chance to
prove themselves or getting to know them. I learnt that in the same way a book
cannot be judged by its cover, individuals cannot be judged based on their
physical appearances as looks alone reveal their potentials, capabilities and
experiences.
The fact that our leaders in camo did not give up on us despite our
shortcomings and lackadesical attitudes taught to give people as many chances
as possible and help them realize their potentials and inner strength.
I made some real friends in camp who in one way or the other have
served some sort of purpose in my life. These friends always give me reasons to
be grateful to God for bringing us together and to Nigeria for coming up with
the NYSC scheme.
In all, overcoming the
“horrible and unfair” obstacles in camp made me conscious of my potentials.
Exposing me to thousands of strangers from varying backgrounds, with different ideologies
has altered a lot about my social life positively.
Ironically, the most dreaded place holds some of my most cherished
moments. I’m glad I found myself in NYSC Kaiama camp ground and made the best
out of camp by learning some good lessons.
NWAIGWE MARILYN .C.
BY/12B/1624
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