THE DEPARTURE OF BATCH B CORP MEMBERS

A few days before the 6th of October 2016, the batch B stream I corp members had washed their stoves and cooking utensils, cleaned their bags and packed them preparing for the long awaited day to arrive.The walls of the common room passage of the corpers lodge had been plastered with white sheets of paper where each displayed eulogies/ panegyrics free hand drawing, farewell poems and good wishesTo the departing corp members .Men had written from the depth of their hearts, expressing their thoughts and feeling towards the Batch B corp members making known to them how greatly they would be missed.

Eventually, the day came .At  about 6:05am  three eighteen seater bus arrived the Nembe city Ogbolomambiri corpers lodge hug gage rolled out to greet them as all thirsty corp members kitted in 6/7moved out with joy to join the buses. Only then did all really realize that it wasn’t a dream. They were actually leaving. Smiles went sour and eyes dripped with tears. The Batch A corp members all stood around the buses until they would all fill up lingering hugs followed quick exchange of motion; the Batch A corp members sadly chorused and waved goodbye and safe journey to the Batch Bs all reciprocated in one accord.

Among the left behind Batch A corp members many wept and screamed in loud voices, both real and faked. All the same the difference was clear as the corpers lodge become cold and scanty. A few corpers eventually lamented over the lodge’s immediate quietness and indeed were sorry that the Batch Bs actually had to go.

Frankly speaking, this event marked a necessary end for a new dawn in the lives of the Batch B corp members who stepped their foot on the soil of Nembe city some eleven months before as nothing but “Gentlemen corp members on National Assignment” most of them had served in the education sector, giving them the privilege to impact to the younger generation as well as gain the experience of the tutorship, independence and separation from family and friends.

The NYSC Scheme has really achieved much in promoting inter-tribal integration among and real life exposure to the Nigerian youths after leaving the confines of the ivory walls systematically introducing them to “adulthood” and the responsibility that surrounds it in the larger society. Many thanks to NYSC.