Phewwww! Finally reached the end of this thread! Been so long since i read something so enlightening and entertaining at the same time, nonye6194 you are a great writer . I rounded up my study recently and i am currently in Lagos, It's a Stressful city but i have decided i am going to make the most of my service year and work it here somehow. I have sent a DM, I have a few questions when you are least busy. Have a great day.

Pls guy I get one question am curious about it,it has to do with age limit,what the difference between the nysc certificate collected around the age of 25 and the after 30( called the the discharge nysc I don't know thou if that what it called)

Does the one before 30 and after 30 as so much differences in term of job ?? Cos some ppl be like the one u collected bfor 30 is more important than the other one??

Thank you

can someone pls clear the air on accommodation myths

New updates today.

Who's still following

nonye6194:
New updates today.

Who's still following

We dey

Hey guys

Happy New year

So I made out time to finish this thread for good and hope to wrap this up finally. I apologize again for the delay in updating y'all. Lagos stress will do that to anyone.

No vex

Without further ado, let's continue from where I left off:

I had just received emails from Dangote Group and Paystack with details for the first stage of their recruitment processes and of course, I was excited at the prospect of working with reputable organizations and the opportunities it’ll open for my career. Hypothetically, if both work out and it comes down choosing what firm to settle with, it’s going an easy guess for everyone to know which it’ll be.


Few days later, I went for CDS meeting with MAY and on the way back I got another email.

Right now, my excitement was turning into a bit of panic because with this additional invite, it meant I have three assessments to prepare for, plus my professional certification exams were coming up in few days, making it four assessments in total


Help! Somebody help me!


As I got home that evening, I started preparations later that night and the following day, I had to skip work (as usual) and go to the JJT Park to read in quiet. MAY the trouble maker tagged along and when we were exhausted for the day, we took a walk around the Park and the other one nearby too. Since we now have a blog, I started documenting the trips we made and publish them on the website (with images of course). So you can read about today's waka-about we did here:

https://20somethingsteps.travel.blog/2019/12/25/a-visit-to-ndubuisi-kanu-recreational-park/

I continued visiting the park to read in preparation for the first PwC test which was the first assessment I had to take. On the 28th of the month which was 3 days from PwC test, I got an email...

At this point I was thinking of choosing which assessments to focus my attention on and which ones to drop. I gave it some serious thought and decided not to drop any.

So, I now have five assessments I have to prepare for and complete in nine days. I heard a voice in my head whisper:

'bring it on'.


The day for test one approached faster than I was hoping for and I was relieved the personality test will be administered online. With the network wahala I experience where I live with Glo, I had to move to another location where I was hoping to get a better signal. The test was administered by shl and consisted of 104 questions to be completed in 30 minutes.
Lemme give a little insight about this test I'm taking as many of y'all will at one point in your job hunt have to sit for one.
(Personality tests are simple questions whose answers are supposed to give the examiner a profile of the candidate's type of personality i.e. behaviour, trait and what not. The results are compared to the company's core values, ethics and etc they expect from their employees and they choose those with the best traits for their company. Technically, there is no pass or fail for personality tests. Because the skills and traits you possess may not be what company A wants but there’s a company B….etc. looking for you with the exact same skills A didn’t pick you for)

Even with the new location, I couldn't complete the test . It rained heavily so network reception was really horrible to compete the test. I had to suspend my progress when I couldn’t continue anymore and went back to read for my professional exams which was the next day. I was able to suspend the test to return back and complete it since the deadline to complete the assessment has not elapsed yet.

Later that evening, I was gisting TEMI about our upcoming professional exams and how my PwC test was going when aunty dropped a bombshell on me. She had left her PPA, alongside 8 of her colleagues serving there. Going back to their respective homes, chilling.


Left Kwa When NYSC af nor finish


She explained the reason for their action being that the PPA dosen't pay corpers for the last month of service in the school. And since they were not ready to be owed, coupled with the fact that the school session was winding up in few weeks, they decided to leave early. But this wasn't done without proper planning; they had set the exam questions with marking scheme and submitted to the head teacher; and also completed their assessments, completed whatever engagements they had left and collected their final clearance from the school the previous month. This was such a brilliant idea and I applauded their plan.


But wait o!
Why am I applauding ?
What am I still doing at my own PPA

No be sey I dey go work anymore. Anyways sha, lemme finish this assessment marathon and we'll treat that one later.


The next day was my professional certification exams and the rain decided to show itself :-/. It started raining before dawn and it continued until when it subsided a little around 11am. I had to leave the house immediately even though my exams wasn’t until 3pm. My area was flooded and local man had to swim through till I got to my bus stop and began my trip to the exams venue. I got to the center and linked up with TEMI and RUE for final revisions and banter. The exams time came and we wrote it. At the end of the day, we said our goodbyes and I rushed back home to complete my PwC assessment. Thankfully, the network was now better so I finished up and retired to bed.


2/5 assessments completed so far!

Up next was the Dangote Refinery Assessment and I was really anxious about this particular test. This was because I found a thread here on nairaland about same recruitment process dating as far back as 2015 and information I gathered made me realize the test I was going to face wasn't anything I've encountered before.

120 Chemical Engineering Questions consisting of mostly calculations (1 hour)

100 GMAT Questions consisting of 50 Quantitative and 50 Verbal Reasoning (1 hour)

No calculators as usual and no breaks in between and to make matters worse, the questions are set by Indians


With two days left to prepare, I doubled up efforts; reading and revising my 3 years high school chemistry, 5 years chemical engineering courses and GMAT guide. As the hours ticked by, my anxiousness grew more and this made me uncomfortable. I tried several activities to calm my nerves, they proved efficient for a short while but the thoughts and nervousness kept relapsing. I managed all of it and prepared until it was the test day.


I left home late in the morning for the assessment venue and as I expected, I was held up in traffic. I utilized the opportunity to continue my revision in the bus and after a while, the hold up eased up and we were on our way to Ikeja. When I got to Ikeja, I realized what had happened to me...



My trouser had torn at somewhere and the tear was so bad it started from my pelvic region and stretched down towards my mid thigh. You know one of those awkward cum embarrassing moments you wished the ground opened and gulped you ? Well I was having one at this moment and it wasn't funny cos I could feel the stares although I didn’t notice anyone staring

I knew there was no where I was going back home to change (as time has been far spent while in traffic) or go to the test venue that way (shame no go gree me); also, I couldn't buy another trouser immediately because I didn't have the time nor patience for such. So I started ambling about, looking for a tailor to stitch up my shame lemme rush off for my test. Time was ticking by, sweat was breaking from every part of my body and frustration was setting in. After over 20 minutes of galavanting around computer village it’s surroundings, I finally found a tailor shop.


Alleluia Somebody!


My dignity was sewn up and I was off to Dangote

I arrived at the venue some minutes before my scheduled time and got processed at the security before proceeding to the building where the test was to hold. The facility was quite enormous; an assembly plant for Dangote trucks; training center; plus other things I couldn’t take notice of with the test in my head. I got to the building and realized the morning set candidates were still inside the building writing the test. This gave me a huge relief, as I took time to ease the tension I had and have me more settled for the assessment.
About an hour later, the morning folks were done and we were ushered in.


And here begins another twist to this fateful day


So the assessment test was meant for chemical engineering candidates alone but the HR mistakenly sent out the invite mails to some candidates of other disciplines without realizing the error. This was only discovered when documentation started at the hall entrance. The HR guy explained the mistake and apologized for it but it was already too late. I mean, you can't tell a candidate that came as far a place like Niger state that their journey was an error. As in, how do you break news like this

Epele sir but Comman be going

So the HR decided to allow everyone to write the assessment, including the non-chemical engineering candidates. But he warned them that one part of the exams was core chemical engineering questions and since they had accepted to write the test, nothing will be changed to favor or compensate anyone. Even one petroleum engineering candidate said,

"no wahala, we go write am. All die na die".

I already liked the guy

So we all got settled down and questions were distributed around and that was where the real drama began. The questions looked like a booklet with over 15 pages for each part. Till date, I've not written a more difficult assessment related to my field as the one I had written this day. This is coming from a chemical engineering candidate. Now imagine what the non-chemical engineering candidates will have to say. Well, some of them actually started complaining. Even my petroleum engineering guy next to me was cussing under his breadth.


I told y'all I liked this guy


Two hours flew fast like a Chinese clock was counting down for us and before we realized what was happening, time was up and it was pens down. I tried what I could, leaving nothing unanswered and left the rest to the creator. Getting home was hell due to another traffic, this time a hellish one. I didn't send as Yanni ageless music kept me company till I got home.


Lagos wee not kee somebody with stress

The next day was a public holiday and MAY, Zuby and I had plans to visit the Kalakuta Museum this day, which we did. But before that, I had to pay a visit to the hospital and run some checks as I wasn't feeling too well recently. Maybe it's the past few day’s stress taking a toll on my health or symptoms of an ailment. Whatever it was, I wasn't letting it take control of me as I still have two more assessments to take. I picked a hospital within Ikeja since the place we were going for our visit was in the same town.

After I concluded my medical appointment around midday, I linked up with the squad who were already at the museum. We spent the rest of the day goofing around and having a blast. Visiting places hold advantages for me that are beyond just having fun; I find it therapeutic to take breaks and go out with friends to relax and unwind. It also helps one rediscover, heal and recharge to continue this joy called called life. I'm yet to publish a post about our visit to Kalakuta Museum but I hope that happens soon. But for now enjoy the other trips we made and have already published on our blog here: www.20somethingsteps.travel.blog

Follow our ig page too @20somethingsteps

Don't forget to leave comments/suggestions for us as we'd love to hear from you

Ciao

The holidays were over and my next assessment, which was about 48 hours away was staring me in the face

I had sha prepared the best I could with materials and booklets I got from several sources. At this point, I was more ready to reduce the number of uncompleted assessments I had left to numero uno. The test was slated for a Saturday morning and I couldn't be more glad as there will be less traffic and rush that morning. Even with the advantage, I still prepared very well incase of any eventuality like what happened to me at Dangote.

'Fool me one time, shame on you
Fool me twice, can't put the blame on you'.
(J.Cole - No Role Modelz)

So with my plan, I left the house early and had a smooth ride to the venue. When I arrived my destination and saw the building, I muttered 'damn'.

Thank heavens for security at strategic areas of the building, if not this bushman for lost . I met a few other candidates at the reception so we all got processed in, then taken upstairs to join others. On reaching the floor where others were, I was weak in the knee.

The crowd was plenty. Abi we were plentifull

Too many things were going on simultaneously that I was confused by just looking around. My confusion and eagerness to play it smart to go in early for the test led me to be mixed up with the wrong queue. And I only realized my foolishness when it got to my turn. I was sent back to start afresh.


Mumu me, I knew I will embarrass myself in this place. Now just negodu


Our documents were first checked thoroughly, then we proceeded to undergo biometrics, before being directed to another part of the floor to wait to be called for the test. This took over two hours but my group was finally called in and we settled down for the test. The questions were quite cheap and easy so local man was pleased lol. But I was a bit worried with something the HR guys did; at the end of the test, they asked those with ICAN and ACCA to wait behind while the rest of us should go. That was my first time hearing of ACCA sef and I looked it up in the bus on the way home.


See me applying to an audit firm but don't know what ACCA was. Bush man is an understatement

It was yet another weekend and my body was already aching for another trip with MAY and Zuby. I was even looking up places and making plans with the team when my bank coincidentally sent me my monthly card maintenance debit notice. Then I realized my available account balance. At that moment, my body ache miraculously stopped hence cancelling the trip plans.

See the miracles debit alert can do brethren. It lays you down in the green pastures of humility

The next two weeks I'm about to narrate is a mix of little good news and plenty hot tears. Sorry for the spoilers but let's begin:


Let's start with the good part. I got a text message from Seven Up Bottling Company (a subsidiary of PepsiCo i.e. Pepsi) to come in for an interview in a few days

This was quite a confusing invitation I got because I couldn't remember when I applied to 7up/ Pepsi or what position I applied for. I went through my email and came up with nothing. I initially suspected it to be a scam but my fears faded after a HR representative called to confirm my availability for the meeting.
Since it has been confirmed to be true, I started researching on the firm and what I could get that will help me in the interview. Unfortunately, there was little to no information regarding recruitment into Pepsi or 7up on the internet but I made best use of what I could scavenge and prepare for the interview day.


Then the first ‘hot tears’ moment happened....

I wasn't expecting a regret mail from KPMG because I was confident the outcome of the test will be a positive one due to how easy the assessment went for me. Well, it has passed. Who knows, maybe the ICAN and ACCA (abi Akamu) Certification is a criteria for the next stage which I didn't have. Or maybe the test was easier for others, much more than what I experienced. Ionno but we move!

I spent most of my time at work (when I could show up) preparing for my upcoming interview together with planning a beach party with a couple of colleagues for our NYSC POP which was according to the rumors we heard, weeks away. I was dragged into the committee by kene from OBS in camp to join, even after telling him I have nothing to offer.


Shebi y’all are seeing as Kene coerced me inside committee. Me that af never been to a children's party is planning an adult beach getaway? Somebody better start humming 2baba's 'Amaka disappoint me'


The day for the 7up interview came and I hoping it turns out well so I'll feel a lot better from the KPMG letdown. The interview was scheduled for 3pm but I was already close by the venue at my favorite park doing my final preparations since 10am.


Another Ikeja traffic won't hold me again!


As time approached to my appointment, I took a stroll down to the bottling plant which was about 1.3 mile from where I was reading. I checked in at the security, got processed, briefed (no be small thing) before taken to the administrative building where I met another candidate already seated and waiting. Another candidate joined us minutes later and about twenty minutes later, someone the HR called the first person in. Thereafter I was next and I did my interview. The session was more of a chat so I was relaxed and the interviewers were young which was a bonus too for me. After we were done, I went home feeling positive and looking forward to a follow up from the firm soon. The interview left me in high spirits, banishing the thoughts of the last love mail that had been in my head prior today.

It is my POP week y'all :*


It has been a long time coming but our POP date was finally confirmed after all the rumors and what have you. But the week came at a price. The clearance processes was very stressful, given the volume of corpers in Lagos and the short time we were given to sort out our final documentation/clearances before the POP day. I actually want to rant about this thing so those yet to pass out can do better.


But where do I even start from to rant


Okay, it all started with the final cds meeting/briefing at the LGA with the LGI. I remember sitting a few rows away from the LGI that was using microphone but I couldn't hear anything from the madam due to the noise that was everywhere; boys were exchanging numbers and kissing goodbyes. I started wondering whether today was the POP abi these ones are planning to skip the event.


What is even my own

May and I had to stay back to look for someone that listened and took down the plenty information LGI gave us. Luckily, we found one and got all the information; basically they were instructions on how to go about our final clearances, etc. With that concluded, we went home and started preparing for the clearance processes.


Final Day at PPA

The following day I went to my PPA (for what will be the last time as a corp member) to receive my final clearance and officially sign off from there. It was my last day so I'll feign and sound sad because it was supposed to be an emoshonal day for me.

In reality, I wasn't emotional. But this is between me and you

When the workers saw me, they were somewhat glad I showed up to work after what seemed like weeks from the last time I came to work consecutively.

They dunno waz happening

There and then, I told them I was rounding up my service and I only came to inform them and get my papers. The rest of the day was sombre and the mood lightened when the refreshments I ordered to entertain them arrived at lunch break. Everyone was agile and wishing me well.


1/101 ways to unlock unhappiness: Something light

My ogas dem were not left out. Got special thank you gifts and souvenirs. The day drew to an end and that was the end of that chapter. I left a better person than I was 10 months ago and

CDS Group Clearance


The next day was slated for meeting/final clearance at the various cds groups and I was relieved the road to POP was going well so far. At the local government, folks were already doing their final clearances there which is the last stage. Our coordinator directed us to come to our cds meeting place at the nysc secretariat for the cds clearance. So my plan was to arrive early (since Baba said he'll start issuing clearance from 9am prompt), collect clearance and dash to the LGA and finish everything today. That way, I'll have the next day free to rest ahead of the POP.


Or so I thought


The coordinator that said 9 am didn't show up two hours after the scheduled time and my plans were already in jeopardy. By this time, the whole place was filled up and we were so disorganized that we didn't even keep an attendance to ensure the clearance is done based on first come basis when the man arrives. Coordinator finally came around past noon and instead of to apologize and begin issuing the clearance in earnest, uncle started giving us advice.


Excuse me sir, please don't be unfortunate :-/

(What I would've said if I belonged to the NBG)

The sermon on the mount took over 30 minutes and when he was done, he then divided us into two queues for the clearance; male female. He started with the girls and they outnumbered the guys about 3:1. So by the time he was done with the girls and started with us, it was about 2:36pm. It was at this point that I gave up my original plan for the day. There was no way I was going to finish in Surulere and get to my LGA in Oshodi-Isolo and complete everything today.


Well, except if you clear everything on the road enroute the LGA.


I got my clearance before 3pm and decided to see if I could make it to Oshodi. Even though I don't make the clearance, I thought I could sort out my file and write down my name in the attendance list ahead of tomorrow. When the bus I entered left, we joined what looked like one of the worst traffic I've met in Lagos State. The gridlock was so bad that even gokadas and the likes couldn't maneuver through it and our bus wasn't even moving at all. Driver had left the bus to banter with his colleagues some meters away.



I have tried my best, I no dey do again please


I got home that evening at about 8:36pm. I tried to chat small with my Bixby AI assistant before I sleep and it hit me with the sub below. I took my L and went to bed .

LGA Clearance

The last day of clearance was here and it started with a torrential rainfall before daybreak, which got worse as the day proceeded. This made transportation difficult that morning but I had to make my way to the LGA. For the life of me, I can't recall what happened but I remembered that MAY and I were not in talking terms in the past few days. So I couldn't get her to write down my name on the attendance on time, like she usually does. I got to the LGA at about 7am and there were 136 names already on the day's register.


Dear Jehova, please nau


No need to narrate say what I went through before it got to my name to be cleared. It sha got to my turn at about 1:42pm and while I was tendering the documents the LGI requested days back at the cds meeting, the clearing officer returned my group cds letter saying that special cds group members weren't asked to submit this document.



Come o!

You mean to tell me that I went through yesterday's stress for nothing?


I sha insisted that she includes it in my file which she did. Then it got to the part where I had to append my signature but madam blocked the paper and asked me what am I giving them before I pass out. This was the same b.s that happened with our cds coordinator the previous day but I decided not to mention it because oga didn't get shishi from me. But today's own pained me because I was with limited funds and everyone was paying (abi donating) this thing. I told aunty that I dinnor have and she refused me to sign until I roger.
I had to leave the line, locate the nearest ATM, get some money out and exchanged it for my clearance. I later realized from colleagues in other LGAs that this was also going on in their LGAs. Some LGIs went as far as collecting both physical gifts and liquid cash from corpers. I wish this was a lie but I saw receipts.


I don't have the energy to start arguing what's right from wrong or cast the blame on anyone. I mean, I also partook in the bribing of officials today. At this point, I just want to graduate from NYSC, I am tired .


I called May when I got home and we made up. I am tired, I am sorry.

Passing Out Parade Day


Finally!


But before we go into talking and rejoicing, lemme update y'all on my job applications so far. I got three love letters (PwC, ExxonMobil and Paystack). PwC mail came in weeks ago and the last two dropped during the clearance week (same day ) and I didn't realize I had regret mails waiting in my inbox until my POP morning, maybe it's due to the crazy hectic schedule I've been on in the past days. With my job hopes reducing I was hoping the ones I had left will work out. And soon enough too, since NYSC is ending today. And you also know some of the regret mails I've been getting are as a result of no discharge Certificate.

Well, I'm getting mine today

Back to our POP abeg, no bad energy today


POP was here and from the past few days, you could guess how excited I was that this chapter was closing for me. I was looking forward to quitting the khaki lifestyle for good.
Right from when I got up from the bed, I was in high spirits; I didn't let the stress nor love letters get to me this morning. This was going to be a memorable moment in my life given what I've gone through in the past twelve months. So I was going to make the best out of today, sign out in style and close this chapter. I was looking forward to a new and better chapter, a new challenge, bla bla bla....


Sorry I'm boring you like my cds coordinator


Due to the ongoing orientation for the new batch of corp members at the nysc camp, we had to shift our venue to the Ikeja Army Cantonment, an arrangement no one was happy about. Today actually started with another rain like the previous day but it ceased after some hours after day break for the rest of the day. I linked up with May and we proceeded to the venue where issuing of discharge certificates had already begun. Meeting friends, colleagues I haven't met since camp, the ones I’ve never met before and my OBS family was quite very emotional for me.


Somebody pass the handkerchief


My roommates, cds colleagues etc. made the day real fun for me. I was dashing hugs and laughing with everyone like I was in a happy movie, you should have seen me in character my brothers and sisters. I took so many pictures that I wish I could show y'all plenty too.


But, we have to remember: Village people.

Later in the noon of the same day, I left the POP arena with a colleague that I promised going to the Nike gallery for almost a year now. It was actually a group outing but everyone (except the both us) bailed out. Undaunted, we took an Uber to the island and enjoyed the rest of the day.

One of the things I'm most grateful I did during my NYSC was making the decision to start job hunting months before my POP. Even with the no success story so far, I'm glad for going through all that came with the decision. I’m also grateful for the other actions that stemmed from the decision; taking professional courses; the offers I got, the ones I rejected; the ones I wished I was offered; the ones I regretted applying to, etc. The lessons learnt made me to be more resilient and focus on building a career via graduate entry level in reputable organizations instead of applying to anything that was available. So the first thing I did the next day after my POP was to contract my CV plug again (Thecvbankng) to update my résumé and re-curate the whole document to align to my new objective. I resumed applying again, but this time to entry level openings in the Manufacturing, Financial Services and Oil/gas sector. And the eagle landed months later .

So I've come to the end of my NYSC story and I am super grateful to each and everyone of y'all that allowed yourselves to be tortured by my amateur English, terrible story telling and half decent plot, all squeezed into this diary. Sharing a part of my life's sojourn with entirely different people feels some type of way but it’s nice for me. I've made friends, enemies and fans (like 2 and half) from this diary and that's already enough love for me


I've taken up another challenge: To continue the thread (aka Post-NYSC period) until the moment I landed the first job I accepted. So, dear brethren, this isn't the end of the tori . I enjoin you to join me on the final (short) chapter as I take you through my Post NYSC experience which involves more invites, tests, interviews, trials, tribulations and a job.

See you soon

Let me book space here as always.... I'm in love with Nonye, just afraid of May.

You inspire me alot. My service is not going as planned, it's so so boring.

Bestlily:
Let me book space here as always.... I'm in love with Nonye, just afraid of May.

You inspire me alot. My service is not going as planned, it's so so boring.

Aww thanks ♥️

May and I are good friends. That's all there is to it


From your own diary, you are very NOT single so no toasting

P.s you haven't added your camp experience like you said you would. Plus let's see pishures when you start going to Agodi, etc. Me sef will be touring Oyo and Ogun states this year on weekemds.

Hi @nonye6194 I really enjoyed your experiences during your service year.....I am about to commence my service and I sent you a DM.... Please send me the link of the telegram group you belong to