Corpers' Passing Out:What Next?

An adage says whatever goes up will actually comes down. And, anything that has beginning surely must has an end. Today in Kwara state and other states of the federation, another set of youth corps members are passing out at various locations signifying the expiration of their one year compulsory service to the nation. The scheme which was established in 1973 after the 30 months civil war that engulfed the country. However, hopes of many corps members of Batch C of having a befitting POP were dashed. As it was known in the past to be an avenue for them to once again see the faces of their colleagues met while on camp. Late last month, the federal government has directed that, the passing out for corps members should be celebrated at low ebb across the country,citing the security challenges in the country. Some corps members spoke on the minuses and pluses experienced during the service year. To Danjuma Nuhu, a law graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria noted that, his first 'contact' at Yikpata Camp in Kwara state look like hell. It is an exceptional, because it was located in a very versed jungle,said Danjuma. Nevertheless, being among other people from different ethnic backgrounds and religions remain additional experience for me, he stressed. The camp's experiences remain worthwhile one. It signifies a bush, where someone who defecates in it. The facilities were not adequate for the intakes. That were the views of Abdullahi Bello, a graduate of Business Administration from Uthman Danfodio University, Sokoto. Speaking further, Abdullahi, popularly called Zoramawa,noted that, in a nutshell, the service year is with a lot of challenges and opportunities. At least, I was able to engage in different professional examinations. Complementing others' views on the camp memoirs, Ibraheem Saka Adebayo pointed out that, the camp activities throughout the three weeks actually improved his physical fitness. Mr Saka Ibraheem's place of primary assignment was University of Ilorin. According to him, the PPA enabled him to display his talent and skills in academics and research. Although, my experience in the field of lecturing increases but I received meagre amount of money, 5,000Naira from the University and nothing from the state government, he stressed.He emphasized that, the gloomy part of his experiences during the year,was the stinginess and ingrate of people he worked with directly in the university. For those that served in the rural areas had quite different experiences. The first day I got to my PPA, it was like, am I going to spend one year in this bush or 'out-of-city' village, said, Oladimeji Sheriffdeen who was deployed to Obbo-Ayegunle as a corp member teacher. He noted that, the people of the community are not 'corper-friendly'. Danjuma Nuhu, however called for the sustainability of the scheme. According to him, the continuation of the scheme would promote unity of the country and religious tolerance. The critical question now is that, what future holds for these young men and women?