By David Stephen.
Government’s mandatory program for all Nigerian graduates, who want to work in Nigeria, NYSC – National Youth Service Corps – headlines the news a couple of times every year, especially when corp members are at orientation camps, or their passing out parade. Graduates from several schools are posted to different states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory, to work, with public and private organizations.
NYSC was founded in 1973 by the General Gowon administration, and has been a point of touch for the Nigerian government to youths. NYSC certificate is sort of a ‘requisite’ for work for all Nigerian graduates, both those that studied here and those who studied outside the country. About 3,000 Nigerians who graduated from foreign schools, are reported to come home yearly for the NYSC program.
Preparing for the one year service, involve several things, aside from the regular day to day advice from an ex corp member. A guide and preparation for the service year is the purpose of a New Book titled “The Foreign Otondo” which focuses on Nigerian graduates abroad coming back home for their NYSC.
The Foreign Otondo was written by Kemi Ogunniyi, a communication and business consultant, writer and editor, who obtained her first and second degrees in the UK, and served in Lagos.
Kemi stated that: ”A lot of Nigerian students abroad have lots of questions about what NYSC is really about. They want to know what they would be doing during the year. They want to know what the three-week orientation programme at the camp feels like.
“They want to know what to bring with them. These were the sort of questions I had in my mind when I decided to go to Nigeria to take part in the NYSC scheme. The answers were not readily available to me, and I went through arduous lengths seeking information from people. That is why I wrote this book – to help other intending Otondos (Corpers) prepare better, from initial registration to the final passing out parade. Graduates who have studied in Nigeria will find it useful too.”
The book has received glowing reviews from commentators, with one – Dayo Israel – saying the book can alternatively be titled: what Google won’t teach you about NYSC. For now, the electronic and hard copies of the book will only be available for purchase online via eBay and the book’s official website, where orders can be made securely using PayPal at an introductory price of £5.99, including free delivery. Before the end of this year, the book will be available in major bookstores in Lagos and Abuja.
We recommend this book for all intending corpers both from foreign schools and Nigerian schools, because it offers tips and insight to the reality of the service year.
