₦airaland Forum

I presented my ID and the certificate issuer checked through the remaining certificates and said the most terrifying thing.
“Your certificate is not here…”
“Wait, what?!”
“I said your certificate is not here! Check that other man there.” Pointing to another issuer.

* Okay, am already having a bad day with the thought of my missing phone and lost contacts, there is no way my certificate is missing too*

I walked to the other issuer and presented my ID, my heart raced as he checked through, flipping one certificate after another.
“Justice?” He asked.
“Yes! Justice (… Jesus Christ!)” i answered in fear and relief.
He slipped out my certificate from the remaining few and handed it over to me.

*Phew! It would have been frustrating if my certificate was actually missing, where would I have started from? Now, I just want to go home and think of how to replace my missing phone…I’ve had enough for one day*

I inserted my certificate into a large brown envelope. I placed the large brown envelope into a thick folder and put the thick folder into my bag- zipped and buckled, I guided my bag with all of my strength as I made my way home.



And now, the hustle begins…

On the next episode of…

The Nigerian Graduate & The Hustle.

Episode 2: ‘Scammers’ Prey’

My phone beeped with a text message and it was an interview for a graduate position at a manufacturing company.
“…come with your certificate and CV”
*…I have not the slightest idea what this business idea is all about but let’s see…*
“You must buy product worth of a minimum of 20,000naira”
*…I really can’t continue like this*

“JT…!!” Buchi called out.
“Buchi!” I laughed, happy to see someone I know amongst the large crowd.
“Justice how far, are you just entering?”
“Buchi, my phone is missing!” I let him know.
Not until I dialed my number from Buchi’s phone did I realize that my phone was “officially” stolen when it said “…number switched off.”
It must have fallen off while I was on the fast-moving bike or must have dropped while I was in the bus.

*My phone can’t be missing right now, P.O.P is supposed to be like a fun day not a ‘stress-day’. Using my last ‘allowee’ to replace a missing phone isn’t how I planned to end my service; certainly not. This is a phone I bought a while back with my previous month’s allowance. I’m not going to let it bother me, I’ll just move on with the day’s event*

Standing by, I got a tap and when I quickly turned around, it was Blessing. Blessing is a friend of mine from P.P.A. Just then, I recalled she intended speaking to me on this day, on a somewhat pressing issue.
“Oh! So sorry Blessing, I was supposed to call you but my phone got missing on my way here.” I let her know as well.
“Ah!! Sorry about that, maybe you forgot it at home, check when you get back.” She said in sympathy.
“…I will…but am sure I carried it along. So you wanted to talk to me.” I reminded her.

We moved aside as Blessing spoke to me concerning her plans after collecting her certificate. She told me how she intends going into a business venture and how she also intends getting married soon to a long-time friend she’s been dating but recently she is confused as a new suitor has come on-board and this new suitor seems to be more serious about marrying her and has even gone further to make his plans known to her parents and this has left her in a bit of an undeciding state.

I felt trusted as someone I met during our one year of service could open up to me about such a sensitive matter. I only advised her to go for the suitor who she knows and trusts better and one who supports her future plans and aspirations.

Collection of certificates had commenced and we all were in numerous lengthy queues. Corpers were chatting away and some took selfies. A female corper in front of me went on and on day-dreaming about how she wishes to get a phone call the very next morning informing her to resume work at Shell or a top company (without any application, test or interview)
After several hours under the scorching sun, it got to my turn.

*Finally! I just want to pick up this up this certificate and leave this premises*

“Wetin you carry?” one inquired from me as it got to my turn.
“Oga, it’s just my bag,” I replied.
“Wetin dey inside the bag?”
“It’s just books…and envelope,” I answered again.
“You sure say no be bomb dey inside the book?” he demanded to know and moved to search down to the pages to confirm before letting me through.

Entering into the venue, everyone was making phone calls, trying to know the exact spot on the large venue their friends were. I reached for my phone in my khaki trousers but couldn’t find it; I checked the bag I had come with, not there. I dug into the other endless pockets of the NYSC uniform, still not there! Just then, I sighted an ex-course

*Today is my NYSC P.O.P. I am very excited that the end of a stressful one-year program is finally here. No more C.D.S…no more P.P.A attendance marking and sadly, no more monthly allowance*

I hopped on a bike from my house to the bus-stop to board a bus to the venue of my certificate collection, although we are not expecting to do a proper parade due to insurgency-related reasons, everyone will be excited to meet-up again this morning, probably for the last time.

On getting to the venue, an army barrack it happened to be, soldiers everywhere who would query you if you turned your neck in an unusual rotation, I and other arriving corpers approached one of the entrances where we were welcomed by soldiers who thoroughly searched us to make sure we were not in possession of any explosives.

SEASON 1, EPISODE 1: ‘Passing Out Parade’


*Several years ago, I gained admission into one of the Nigerian universities at the age of 16. So determined I was; to finish early with a good grade and at the age of 20, I graduated with a 4.22 CGPA!

I had almost everything I wanted…at least, for an average person, I was unstoppable and ready to conquer the world but little did I know that for a graduate here in Nigeria, life truly begins after your youth service. I was in for a massive shock.

My name is Justice and this is my story…*

THE NIGERIAN GRADUATE AND THE HUSTLE | S1E1

This is an Editorial Reality-series of a Nigerian youth going through the hassles of modern day society; an era of unemployment, scarcity, and hardship in present day Nigeria.

Starts April 2nd

New Episodes every Saturdays by 8am

Join in!

www.justiceokwudike.com/thehustleseries