tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64125159217730720562024-02-21T19:19:19.624+01:00The Aje-Butter's Guide to NYSCThis blog is meant to serve as an introduction and guide to registering for and completing the NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) program in Nigeria. Honestly, the only Aje-butter aspect of NYSC is the registration process and having to survive the orientation camp. Otherwise, anybody can read this blog for insight into being an NYSC member.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-72234199528901698182013-08-28T15:48:00.001+01:002013-08-28T15:53:37.303+01:00My NYSC Online Registration ExperienceHola amigos!<br />
<br />
In my last post I announced that NYSC now has an online registration step that you have to do before heading to Abuja. Like I promised, I'm now posting a write-up from a very lovely reader who has graciously decided to share her experience. Please note that this is a long post, but you would be wise to read it thoroughly if you plan on registering for NYSC soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">So, I’ve been looking forward to NYSC for quite a while, had
some sort of extraordinary ginger. I even started a <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1431894881"></span>group on facebook<span id="goog_1431894882"></span></a> and added
friends that I knew will be serving in November Batch C 2013. Registration
started on the 12<sup>th</sup> of August and something new was added…ONLINE
REGISTRATION. One of my friends went to Abuja quite early and she informed the
group members that the form had to be completed online BEFORE going to the NYSC
office for physical verification.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Now, the form is split into 3 parts and you have to
complete the first section before proceeding to the 2<sup>nd</sup> section and
so on. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The <b>FIRST PART</b> is the actual registration form, which is probably the easiest section to
complete, in my opinion. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa1UbIjeLQLH3LlgfA0G7lnd43qW7V24FctGlOtgMvMreTNSijSnhPDKilBh-2avFyV6BiuLUWLAUPa5KkQlOmjHi7FeN5vBqX_SwoTDXoIGIwKzp9zVQt2HdDP_Z143BLIRbkCWhp1Vn/s1600/nysconlineform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa1UbIjeLQLH3LlgfA0G7lnd43qW7V24FctGlOtgMvMreTNSijSnhPDKilBh-2avFyV6BiuLUWLAUPa5KkQlOmjHi7FeN5vBqX_SwoTDXoIGIwKzp9zVQt2HdDP_Z143BLIRbkCWhp1Vn/s640/nysconlineform.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I showed up a day earlier than the date I specified on my
registration from but there was no wahala, so don’t let that get you stressed. *Date of Verification refers to the date that you want to report to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja to submit your documents and registration slip.*</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The <b>SECOND PART</b>
is the Passport picture upload. MAKE SURE the picture is LESS THAN 500kb and
that it is in a JPG or PNG format (pdf isn’t accepted).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The <b>THIRD PART</b>
is the documents upload and there are 6 documents which have to be uploaded. They
shouldn’t be more than 650kb and like the previous section, only JPG and PNG formats are accepted. The documents needed to complete this section are</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">First University Degree or HND Certificate</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Complete Transcript of Degree or HND Programme</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">O’level Certificate (WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO,
IGCE, GCSE, High School Diploma)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Nigerian International Passport showing Entry
Visa to country of study (If you have dual Passports and you didn’t need a visa
to study abroad, just upload the page on your second passport which has all
your details/personal data)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Nigerian International Passport showing first
departure date from Nigeria (Upload the page which shows the date your passport
was stamped in Nigeria before you began your University Education)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Nigerian International Passport showing Personal
Data (with Date of Birth)</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">* PLEASE NOTE* There is a sub-section which allows you to upload any other supporting documents or corrections. My middle name was omitted from my WAEC certificate
so I had to get an affidavit and upload it in this section.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Once you have completed all three sections, you will be
allowed to print off your verification slip. You must take this as well as your
original documents to the NYSC Office. The website says to come along with
photocopies of your documents but I wasn’t asked for photocopies or passport
pictures (I’ll advise you to take them though, just to be on the safe side).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Now, I was quite scared on the day I was going to Abuja as
it was my first ever domestic flight and my first time in Abuja. I actually
cried in the car on the way to the airport and I am not an overly emotional
person, just saying. Anyways, when you get to the NYSC office, they would ask
if you have registered online and printed out your verification slip, so just
do it before you get there. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">You aren’t allowed to take your laptops, iPads or Tablets
into the building so just leave it at home or you would have to leave it with
the army officers at the gate. The office is on the 1<sup>st</sup> floor and
there is a woman giving out slips with numbers on them. (Respect yourself
because the people in charge tend to shout and embarrass anyone who makes the
slightest mistake). Go into the office when your number is called, your
documents will be checked to make sure that all the information on the online
form is accurate and then you are free to leave.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">It is really not that deep!! The November 2013 Batch C are
the guinea pigs for this online registration system which is actually quite
effective. Some of the stories which you have heard from the previous batches
will not be applicable to our batch, the queue wasn’t long when I went and the
whole process is relatively easy if you follow the steps.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Hope you like the state you are posted to.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">God Bless!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Wasn't this a WONDERFUL and most importantly, DETAILED write-up?!?! Shouts out to Tuke M! Yay, maybe you can be our spy and keep this blog current and refreshed when you start service :D</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-54745974837478663802013-08-27T14:35:00.003+01:002013-08-27T15:07:36.096+01:00Register for NYSC ONLINE!Ladies and gentlemen... boys and girls... it was brought to my attention (THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!) that NYSC now offers ONLINE REGISTRATION for Foreign Grads aka Aje-Butters like you and me. Well, mostly you, because I'm done with all this, innit? :p<br />
<br />
Anyways, of course I quickly ran to NYSC's <a href="http://www.nysc.gov.ng/">website</a> to confirm and there it was... shining like the sun in bright yellow (mustard actually)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00DWbIvRM39bIeqTlLM8OFKzzC6XRWKQvFfcGdAcfx3YZl8UZPVDjPFmgsY8j_K5rTOiHGegLAyCPPpuoRxHkTCY6xyoIQiI9RZs3G3XVaLtom0jI5yTNEzBP2akHuEKWRZQEct3kBSL0/s1600/nysconline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00DWbIvRM39bIeqTlLM8OFKzzC6XRWKQvFfcGdAcfx3YZl8UZPVDjPFmgsY8j_K5rTOiHGegLAyCPPpuoRxHkTCY6xyoIQiI9RZs3G3XVaLtom0jI5yTNEzBP2akHuEKWRZQEct3kBSL0/s400/nysconline.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let's scream, shout, dance, whoop, holler and jump for joy, right? Because this means no going to Abuja, right? YOU ARE WRONG!!! Registering online is just an added step to the registration process. Please see the steps as posted on the website, below. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top" width="450"><div class="login-section-header" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 4px;">
Important Information</div>
<div class="sepdiv10" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; height: 10px;">
</div>
<div class="login-section-text" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
These tips will help you get prepared as you complete your registration on this portal<br />
<div class="sepdiv10" style="height: 10px;">
</div>
<ul class="login-section-ul" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Review the current NYSC Registration Requirements For Foreign-trained Graduates to complete your registration as a foreign trained graduate.<br /><a class="loginlinksmall blue" href="http://www.nysc.gov.ng/foreign_grads/foreign-requirements.php" style="color: #0072c6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click Here To View The Requirements</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Ensure that you have graduated from an accredited foreign tertiary institution, and collected all required certificates. This is because you will be required to upload these documents as you register.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Ensure that you have recent passport sized photograph. You will be required to upload this passport photograph.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="login-section-header" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 4px;">
How To Complete Your Registration</div>
<div class="sepdiv10" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; height: 10px;">
</div>
<div class="login-section-text" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Completing your registration on this portal is easy.<br />
Follow the simple steps bellow and you will be okay.<br />
<div class="sepdiv10" style="height: 10px;">
</div>
<ul class="login-section-ul" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Read the important information on this page</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">If you already have an account on this portal, login using the form above, and continue from where you stopped.<div class="sepdiv10" style="height: 10px;">
</div>
If you are new and don't have an account, create one by clicking Sign Up above.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">When you have logged in there are three links on the left of the screen that enable you to complete the following actions.<div class="sepdiv5" style="height: 5px;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Click "Registration" to fill the registration form</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Click "Passport Photo Upload" to upload your passport sized photograph</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Click "Document Upload" to upload all required documents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">When you have completed the three steps above, a link will appear for you to print your registration slip.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">You will come with this slip with original and photocopies of your documents for physical verification at the NYSC directorate head quarters.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<table style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: none; color: black; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif;"><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top" width="450"><div class="login-section-header" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 4px;">
Important Information</div>
<div class="sepdiv10" style="height: 10px;">
</div>
<div class="login-section-text" style="font-size: 13px;">
These tips will help you get prepared as you complete your registration on this portal<br />
<div class="sepdiv10" style="height: 10px;">
</div>
<ul class="login-section-ul" style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Review the current NYSC Registration Requirements For Foreign-trained Graduates to complete your registration as a foreign trained graduate.<br /><a class="loginlinksmall blue" href="http://www.nysc.gov.ng/foreign_grads/foreign-requirements.php" style="color: #0072c6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Click Here To View The Requirements</a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Ensure that you have graduated from an accredited foreign tertiary institution, and collected all required certificates. This is because you will be required to upload these documents as you register.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Ensure that you have recent passport sized photograph. You will be required to upload this passport photograph.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="sepdiv20" style="height: 20px;">
</div>
<div class="login-section-header" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 4px;">
Contact Information</div>
<div class="sepdiv10" style="height: 10px;">
</div>
<div class="login-section-text" style="font-size: 13px;">
For all contact needs, send an email to:<br />
<b>foreignreg@nysc.gov.ng</b></div>
<div class="login-section-text" style="font-size: 13px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="login-section-text" style="font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
PLEASE NOTE: another prospective corps member has graciously written her experience with registering online and completing the registration process in Abuja. I will share it in the next post. In the meantime, she's opened a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/185649321609683/">Facebook Group for 2013 Batch C Prospective Corps Members</a>. Feel free to look it up and share your experiences and questions there as well.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-20056460451053130762013-07-26T15:41:00.001+01:002013-07-26T15:41:11.600+01:00NYSC Batch C 2013 Timetable is OUT!!!Hi guys!<br />
<br />
I'm back from the beyond (aka my other blog, <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara</a>) to announce that the Timetable for Batch C 2013 prospective corps members is officially out! This was my batch in 2012 - ahhhh, the memories :-|<br />
<br />
Anyways, if you want the full table, it can be found here: <a href="http://www.nysc.gov.ng/mob-timetable/2013/2013c.php">NYSC Website Batch C Timetable</a>.<br />
<br />
For YOUR ease, just use the dates in the table below. These are most relevant to you.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" bordercolor="#00CC66" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #ff99cc; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates</td>
<td>12th August - 11th October, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats</td>
<td>29th - 31st October, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course aka CAMP</td>
<td>5th November - 26th November, 2013</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember <a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.com/2012/01/nysc-mobilization-registration-process.html">registering as a foreign grad</a>, and having to fly from PH twice because I didn't have the correct document (very annoying, but I kinda like Abuja, so I didn't mind too much). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've copied and pasted the requirements for registration below, so please start making sure you have all the necessary documents.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul class="innerlist bigblue" style="background-color: white; list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">The original and photocopies of the following documents are required for registration and mobilization of foreign-trained graduates into the National Youth Service Corps; viz:</span><ul class="embeddedlist" style="list-style-type: lower-roman; margin-top: 5px;">
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">First University Degree or HND Certificate</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Complete official Transcript of the Degree or HND programme</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Marks Sheets (for Indian Schools only)</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">O’level Certificate i.e WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, GCSE, High School Diploma for those who schooled in USA e.t.c. Candidate must obtain credit in not less than 5 subjects (including English and Mathematics) in any of the examinations at not more than 2 sittings. (Statements of Result or Attestation Letters are not acceptable in lieu of any certificate).</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Medical Doctors and Optometrists are required to produce in addition, Registration Certificate, Original and Photocopy of completion of Housemanship of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria/Optometrists Association of Nigeria, as applicable.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Pharmacists shall produce in addition, original and photocopy of completion of Internship and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria registration certificate.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Nigerian International Passport showing clearly;</span></strong><ul class="embeddedlist" style="list-style-type: lower-roman; margin-top: 5px;">
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Entry Visa to Country of Study</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">First Departure Date from Nigeria</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Date of Return to Nigeria</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Candidates with dual nationality are required to produce both passports for verification.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Three (3) Passport Size Photographs</strong>.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Loss Of Travelling Passport</span></strong><ul class="embeddedlist" style="list-style-type: lower-roman; margin-top: 5px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">prospective Corps Member who lost his/her passport would be required to present;</span>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Police and Immigration reports from the country where the Passport got missing</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Sworn Affidavit</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">The above documents should contain the same information as contained in the lost passport.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;"><strong>For Loss Of Academic Credentials, the following is required</strong>;</span><ul class="embeddedlist" style="list-style-type: lower-roman; margin-top: 5px;">
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Police Report</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Sworn Affidavit</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Confirmation letter from either the examination body (for loss of 'O' Level Certificate) or the academic institution of graduation (for loss of Degree, HND Certificate).</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Certificates not written in English Language should be translated at the Embassy of the country of the study or a University in Nigeria where the language is studied, before presentation to the NYSC.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Special Note:</span></strong></li>
<ul class="embeddedlist" style="font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Geneva, sans-serif; list-style-type: lower-roman; margin-top: 5px;">
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Registration of foreign-trained graduates commences on 12th August and closes on 11th October, 2013</span></strong></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Foreign-trained graduates enlisting into the Nigerian Youth Service are not obliged to choose their State of deployment. However, married women would be deployed to the state where their husbands are domiciled provided their marriage certificate and evidence of change of name are attached to their forms</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Registration is not done by proxy</strong>.<strong> All prospective Corps Members must therefore appear physically at the Evaluation Division of the Corps mobilization Department for registration</strong>.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Segoe UI, Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Okay, I think that covers it. BEST OF LUCK!</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-91686570628221312092013-06-26T11:51:00.003+01:002013-06-26T11:52:32.978+01:00Time to report to NYSC CAMP!!!Hey y'all!<br />
<br />
Call-up letters have been picked up, and corpers have started reporting to their various camps. As per usual, a LOT of people would have been disappointed when they read where they were posted to - they're also probably scrambling to get their posting "fixed." Ah, the joys of NYSC. :)<br />
<br />
Anyway, new corpers started heading to camp yesterday, June 25th. It's earlier than usual, as Batch B camp typically starts the first week of July. In any case, they've started reporting to camp and dealing with the stress of registration, getting a bed, finding and registering at your platoon, feigning communicable diseases so they can be exempted from camp, looking for mami market, etc.<br />
<br />
My advice to you is to just relax, take it easy, and pray to God for divine patience because you'll need it. If you haven't already read my experience, the following links should give you a clear idea of what to expect.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: What to Bring</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation_10.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: What NOT to Bring</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation_12.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: Arrival</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation_1164.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: Platoon Registration and Accommodation</a></li>
</ol>
<div>
While in there, make sure you choose your <a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/community-development-service-aka-lets.html">Community Development Service</a> wisely. I may actually need to make a post for the how to select the best CD for you...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wish you all the best of luck. Try to have fun. :D</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Berry.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-44772451302129156642013-06-04T11:14:00.002+01:002013-06-04T11:14:35.989+01:00Sorry does not even begin to describe...SAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
It's not that I abandoned this blog!<br />
<br />
It definitely wasn't my intent!<br />
<br />
In fact, I was wondering what to post - and my former regular readers who I thought would help contribute, DISAPPEARED on me.<br />
<br />
Sorry anyways. I promise I'm still around.<br />
<br />
Anyways, just a quick note...<br />
<br />
FOREIGN GRADS NYSC Registration for Batch B, 2013 ends THIS WEEK on June 7th!<br />
<br />
If you're still planning on starting with this batch, PLEASE go to Abuja and register NOW!<br />
<br />
For the time table and required documents, click <a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/nysc-2013-batch-b-timetable-is-out.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Have a pretty week!<br />
<br />
Berry :)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-42559085588236189742013-04-22T15:53:00.000+01:002013-04-22T15:53:16.442+01:00NYSC 2013 Batch B Timetable is out!!!!!Fun times!<br />
<br />
Some foreign-grads should have started registering for the next batch (Batch B) of NYSC by now. Registration started on April 8th and goes all the way till June 7th. In my last post, NYSC hadn't posted the full schedule, but now it's ready, so I'm here to share :)<br />
<br />
FYI I'm posting only the items that make any sense to prospective corps members. <br />
<br />
The link to the full schedule is at <a href="http://nysc.gov.ng/mob-timetable/2013/2013b.php" target="_blank">NYSC 2013 Batch B Mobilization Timetable</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" bordercolor="#00CC66" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #ff99cc; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates</td>
<td>8th April - 7th June, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats</td>
<td>18th - 21st June, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course aka CAMP</td>
<td>25th June - 16th July, 2013</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Below are the required documents needed to register. And remember, you MUST register in person! Make multiple copies of everything cos you'll need them at different points. <br />
<br />
<strong><u>NYSC Registration Requirements For Foreign-trained Graduates.</u></strong> <br />
<div class="sepdiv10">
</div>
<span class="innercontentsmall"> The following are required to complete your registration as a foreign- trained Nigerian graduate wishing to complete the national youth service corps: </span><br />
<ol class="innerlist bigblue">
<li> <strong>The original and photocopies of the following documents</strong> are required for registration and mobilization of foreign-trained graduates into the National Youth Service Corps; </li>
<ul class="embeddedlist">
<li>First University Degree or HND Certificate </li>
<li>Complete official Transcript of the Degree or HND programme </li>
<li>Marks Sheets (for Indian Schools only) </li>
<li>O’level Certificate i.e WASC, GCE, SSCE, NECO, IGCE, GCSE, High School Diploma for those who schooled in USA e.t.c. Candidate must obtain credit in not less than 5 subjects (including English and Mathematics) in any of the examinations at not more than 2 sittings. (Statements of Result or Attestation Letters are not acceptable in lieu of any certificate). </li>
<li>Medical Doctors and Optometrists are required to produce in addition, Registration Certificate, Original and Photocopy of completion of Housemanship of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria/Optometrists Association of Nigeria, as applicable. </li>
<li>Pharmacists shall produce in addition, original and photocopy of completion of Internship and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria registration certificate. </li>
</ul>
<li><strong>Nigerian International Passport showing clearly;</strong><ul class="embeddedlist">
<li> Entry Visa to Country of Study </li>
<li> First Departure Date from Nigeria </li>
<li> Date of Return to Nigeria </li>
<li> Candidates with dual nationality are required to produce both passports for verification. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three (3) Passport Size Photographs</strong>. (I would get like 30 passport photographs cos you'll keep giving them out for one thing or another.)</li>
</ol>
For instances where any of the above are missing, visit the <a href="http://nysc.gov.ng/foreign_grads/foreign-requirements.php">NYSC website - Foreign Requirements page</a>. <br />
<br />
<strong>Special Notes: </strong><br />
<ul class="embeddedlist">
<li><strong> Registration of foreign-trained graduates commences on 8th April and closes on 7th June 2013 </strong></li>
<li> <strong>Foreign-trained graduates enlisting into the Nigerian Youth Service are not obliged to choose their State of deployment.</strong> However, married women would be deployed to the state where their husbands are domiciled provided their marriage certificate and evidence of change of name are attached to their forms </li>
<li><strong>Registration is not done by proxy</strong>.<strong> All prospective Corps Members must therefore appear physically at the Evaluation Division of the Corps mobilization Department for registration</strong>.</li>
</ul>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-78278239674116850392013-04-05T16:29:00.002+01:002013-04-22T15:19:54.160+01:00NYSC 2013 Batch B Registration News!!!Hi friends,<br />
<br />
Quick note here: the Batch B registration for foreign grads runs from April 8th, to June 7th, 2013. The full schedule hasn't been posted yet, but this announcement is on the NYSC <a href="http://www.nysc.gov.ng/">website</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3C8K65K9ZxlVZSmpC886UM0lxmHxH_Ok-on3NeGi0IpMgT9pdzrW_faEDHo_ofqbKVDNQ0dV5xT0ZT0PB5DtJKhaW6fbSs9Ipnp4J44cAvwXSpeym7PGQ2-9VowyMzA7K3rPrspowc_E/s1600/nyscbatchb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3C8K65K9ZxlVZSmpC886UM0lxmHxH_Ok-on3NeGi0IpMgT9pdzrW_faEDHo_ofqbKVDNQ0dV5xT0ZT0PB5DtJKhaW6fbSs9Ipnp4J44cAvwXSpeym7PGQ2-9VowyMzA7K3rPrspowc_E/s640/nyscbatchb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-60568343805147278882013-03-27T10:47:00.000+01:002013-03-27T10:47:00.012+01:00Just a short note to...<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/6009241/?claim=b5e9ty3u984">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-60217506455521199552013-03-25T09:45:00.004+01:002013-03-25T09:45:43.319+01:00Nominated for a Liebster AwardHiya friends!<br />
<br />
Yaaaaaaaaaay, people in camp are leaving today/tomorrow!!!!!!! I hope everyone had an okay to good time in camp. I've been stalking different NYSC/Corper Twitter accounts via my account (@Berrychocolatte). I'll post up some interesting tweets soon.<br />
<br />
So I was nominated for a Liebster Award! I've seen one or two go around, so I was excited to be included! It's basically a 'Getting to Know You' type of thing, and I hope everyone enjoys it. The rules and the premise of a Liebster Award are as follows:<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Rules:</b></u><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Thank and link back to the giver</li>
<li>Answer the giver's questions</li>
<li>Nominate 5 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers</li>
<li>Ask five questions for nominees to answer</li>
<li>Post it on your blog</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIxltB5EcJe1_uRz2pnCYVycDhWmE2KDO5FfTiLmysrEcaqBwhnjfs0FwZoqd8gvzlDGkvl1Qqy72K7j0Pa3WMFemjBcgYtva_45hWTs900mrWL1gEF75_RCWVpmbqWyedR5Pf88HvQMp/s1600/Liebster-award-ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIxltB5EcJe1_uRz2pnCYVycDhWmE2KDO5FfTiLmysrEcaqBwhnjfs0FwZoqd8gvzlDGkvl1Qqy72K7j0Pa3WMFemjBcgYtva_45hWTs900mrWL1gEF75_RCWVpmbqWyedR5Pf88HvQMp/s1600/Liebster-award-ribbon.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><u>#1 - Vote of Thanks</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So <a href="http://www.therelentlessbuilder.com/">Relentless Builder</a> nominated me for a Liebster Award! Thanks ma'am for nominating me! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>#2 - Q&A</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>i. Name one little thing/activity that is guaranteed to make you happy</i></div>
<div>
- Hugging my family and friends. I LOVE LOVE LOVE hugs! And holding hands :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>ii. If you could go back in time, what would you change about your life?</i></div>
<div>
- Hmmmm. I have one answer in mind, but it's personal, so let's go with: I would have majored in [International] Business from my undergrad. And stuck with my French class in secondary school. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>iii. Facebook or Twitter and why? </i></div>
<div>
- Facebook! Even though Mark Zuckerberg's getting more and more annoying with the constant changes and updates and privacy violations! I like Facebook because it's easier to keep in touch with old friends. AND I can set my privacy settings, so that only certain people have easy access to me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>iv. What is a deal breaker for you in a relationship with your significant other?</i></div>
<div>
- Cheating. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>v. What is the relationship with your siblings like if you have siblings?</i></div>
<div>
- I LOVE my siblings! And I miss them like crazy. I wish I could see them at least 2-3 times a week :(</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>#3 - Nominate 5 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.anemistyle.com/">AnemiStyle</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://thatssewnaija.blogspot.co.uk/">That's Sew Naija</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://greetingsfromlagos.blogspot.com/">Daisy from Greetings From Lagos</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.beautyinlagos.com/">Beauty In Lagos</a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.secretlilies.blogspot.co.uk/">Secret Lilies</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>#4 - My questions to nominees</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i. What are you most thankful for, right this second?</div>
<div>
ii. What (if any) is your greatest fear?</div>
<div>
iii. How many pairs of shoes do you have? Honestly?</div>
<div>
iv. If you could have a conversation with any celebrity/famous person (dead or alive), who would it be?</div>
<div>
v. Would you rather go back in time or way into the future?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>#5 - Post to blog... erm, isn't this a given?</u></b></div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div>
Addendum: Follow me on Twitter (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/BerryChocoLatte">http://www.twitter.com/BerryChocoLatte</a>) and visit my other blog - (<a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">http://berrydakara.blogspot.com</a>).</div>
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-28313241517729465982013-03-18T13:30:00.000+01:002013-03-18T20:47:41.303+01:00NYSC Camp Review: Ogun StateHi friends!<br />
<br />
I've borrowed another review from my girl at <a href="http://www.reviewnaija.com/">Review Naija</a>. This time, it's the Ogun State camp that the corper wrote about. I'm sorry but the Toilets part is just GROSS!!! DEEZGOSTEEN!<br />
<br />
Anyways, as usual, if you want to read directly from the source, click <a href="http://www.reviewnaija.com/2013/03/nysc-ogun-camp.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><i>Hello everyone, this is Paul Anderson reporting from Ogun state!! Yes, I underwent my three weeks NYSC orientation course at Shagamu, Ogun state. It was my first time visiting the State too. I picked up my call-up letter from the NYSC secretariat in Lagos and started preparing for camp almost immediately, as I had a week to get my stuff together. The annoying thing about preparing for the camp is that you'll hear different stories about what to bring and so on. I actually made 16 photocopies of my certificate, transcript and call-up letter but at the end of the day I only used two photocopies of each document. But, aye, it's better to be safe than sorry ... so make as many copies as you deem necessary.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><i></i></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><i><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Arrival -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> After getting everything I needed, my next destination was the Orientation Camp at Shagamu. The moment I reached the camp I was amazed at the solid structures and security check point; my mouth literally opened for about 2 minutes. However, I was quickly interrupted by the traders at the gate of the camp, who were selling products including id card holders, buckets, tipex, pens, permanent markers etc. </span><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">FYI: a permanent marker is an essential commodity here because you'll need to put your name on all your belongings (like boarding school). </span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"></span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Hostel -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> Locating the male hostel wasn't difficult as I simply followed other male corpers. After some time on a long queue, I was assigned to my room. The moment I got into the room, my high spirit was just dampened by the rundown state. The room was small, dusty and filled with spiders having a field day while spinning their webs. </span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Programme Kick-Off -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> After locating my bed, I dropped my box off and went to the multipurpose hall, where I was assigned to a platoon (after my documents were cross-checked), and received my NYSC kit. All corp members are put in groups and each group is known as a platoon. There were 10 platoons in total at the Shagamu location.</span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Routine -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> We woke up at 5am every day, then proceeded to the parade grounds for morning devotion. Afterwards, we'd head to the stadium for lectures. The lectures usually lasted for four hours; very long and very very boring. From time to time, we'd have motivational speakers as well, but mostly "skill acquisition" programmes e.g. ICT, fishing, carpentry etc. After the afternoon lectures we'd head back to our hostels for a brief period of time before the evening parade at 5pm. Then, dinner was served and the mammy market booming! At this point, couples had time to interact with themselves. Most corpers usually went to the mammy market after the day's activities to chill with friends and catch up on unconcluded gist.10pm was lights out, and then the same routine repeated itself.</span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Soldiers -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> The military officials in Ogun State camp were very friendly, especially compared to soldiers in other camps (from the stories I've heard). The last days of camp were actually quite interesting. The soldiers were more relaxed with the corpers since most of them had already lost their voices from screaming. I argued with one of the soldiers before leaving camp and GOD knows I was ready to stand my ground no matter what. When the zombie realised this, he simply told me to leave. While interacting with some of the soldiers you could see they were passionate about our country, but they all complained about our leaders. It was painful to see soldiers who had served their fatherland for the past 16 years but didn't have anything to show for it.</span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Toilets -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> The toilets at this camp weren't the best. </span><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Shot-putting</span><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> seemed to be the preferred option for most people. For those of you who don't know, </span><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">shot-putting</span><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> is the act of defecating in a disposable nylon (component 1) and flinging it faraway into the bush (component 2). Very gross! The girls were very good at component 1, but struggled with 2. It was a </span><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">nightmare</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> for any platoon to be told to clean up the female hostel and its surroundings because disposable nylons containing faeces awaited you. </span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Camp Fire -</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> While coming to camp I was told the interesting part of camp was the camp fire night. Basically, each platoon comes together to make the night successful. Unfortunately, our camp fire night was very boring. Each member in my platoon contributed 400 naira, but not everyone who contributed was able to eat. Moral of the story? Ensure your camp fire night is fun!</span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><strong style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Shenanigans</strong><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;"> - What I noticed in camp was the fact that you could easily spot students who studied abroad and in the private Nigerian universities, from the way they behaved. I mean, I studied abroad too, (in Ghana, lol), but there was just something about the way the foreign trained and private uni students acted; almost like they were supreme or something. We actually had a foreign-trained student who called her mum to complain about being maltreated by the soldiers. Her mum came the next day and picked her poor child up. A guy who also studied abroad fought with a soldier. God knows if not for my timely intervention the soldier would have been beaten the heck out of the poor boy. My point? There will always be shenanigans at camp so brace yourself!</span><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><br style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;" /><span style="background-color: #faf8f8; line-height: 24px;">Overall, the orientation camp was a nice experience. I encourage everyone to attend it if you can stand the heat and shenanigans. </span></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-62522114710475324362013-03-12T10:40:00.001+01:002013-03-12T13:47:39.823+01:00Style Post! Re-using your NYSC kit :)Hello berryful gals n guys!<br />
<br />
How's everyone doing? The new batch of corpers have been in camp for 1 week now - I hope everyone's faring well.<br />
<br />
Today, I wanted to show you how I've reused different things from my NYSC kit - the white shorts, my belt, and even the jacket. I didn't throw everything away - the boots are still sitting in my car trunk - but some of the items can be worn with everyday wear. So take a look and be inspired :)<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7a8jSoIPNRNuWlESLR7vATgUyqA6VL8Le4vqEaRctibGf1JdEck44V8ZdtFjAYMTHt2H_GjBsT4QdlZ9LPuFKvr5fqurrV4zfmCU2TuE52V1UogrgjVxMRRSrqA1sTN_IINQQiP27Dc9/s1600/IMG-20120117-04767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7a8jSoIPNRNuWlESLR7vATgUyqA6VL8Le4vqEaRctibGf1JdEck44V8ZdtFjAYMTHt2H_GjBsT4QdlZ9LPuFKvr5fqurrV4zfmCU2TuE52V1UogrgjVxMRRSrqA1sTN_IINQQiP27Dc9/s640/IMG-20120117-04767.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYSC camp shorts with a denim top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yZusKaj2EKh64NLI-EpFhGjz6yFl9LEAx-4N3GZJaSNzAW0jwDjdbaSIJluD9ZGoMuxf0l-cJz0N5NOobzCWNSB-m1w7zV93JGwMPSNoWJH3MJNvbquxm7XUbRYE6E6lxgSbr0Y-DaiV/s1600/IMG-20130311-01345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yZusKaj2EKh64NLI-EpFhGjz6yFl9LEAx-4N3GZJaSNzAW0jwDjdbaSIJluD9ZGoMuxf0l-cJz0N5NOobzCWNSB-m1w7zV93JGwMPSNoWJH3MJNvbquxm7XUbRYE6E6lxgSbr0Y-DaiV/s640/IMG-20130311-01345.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I paired my NYSC belt with a black dress for work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyFetuc6sZ2Itix86RxCKvTtwWqynYQowFmLWYkxxM8c5d5LZAzcXUqsNPN6qAKus0EYJ_wJw3wf36HcFfcZ49fUgYvqK4JQ_AVMbDtLEP13zFWfvrTdhQ53PJzO55uWQF2xEIEDO0hyy/s1600/IMG-20121106-10578a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyFetuc6sZ2Itix86RxCKvTtwWqynYQowFmLWYkxxM8c5d5LZAzcXUqsNPN6qAKus0EYJ_wJw3wf36HcFfcZ49fUgYvqK4JQ_AVMbDtLEP13zFWfvrTdhQ53PJzO55uWQF2xEIEDO0hyy/s400/IMG-20121106-10578a.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYSC Jacket as a skirt. Don't try this at home! I can be randomly daring every now and then. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So you see, your stuff can be reused. I'm not wearing the trousers again though - NO WAY, NO HOW!<br />
<br />
Have a pretty week everyone. :)<br />
Berry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-35909536220135473162013-03-04T12:14:00.000+01:002013-03-04T12:14:00.955+01:002013 Batch A Orientation Camp starts tomorrow!Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!<br />
<br />
OMG, I totally thought March 5th was next week - blame the cough/cold that's refused to leave me since last week. Awww, it's time for the new batch of corpers to report to their various orientation camps starting from tomorrow. I just want to wish everyone of you the absolute best! Try and have fun with it. It's "just" 21 days and it'll be over before you know it... after you've screamed and cursed the very soul of NYSC at least once or twice.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to read up on the following posts. They'll give you a much clearer picture of what to expect.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp - Items you need</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation_10.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: What NOT to bring</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation_12.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: Arrival and Registration</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/01/guide-to-surviving-nysc-orientation_1164.html">Guide to surviving NYSC Camp: Platoon Registration and Accommodation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/01/day-and-night-in-nysc-camp.html">Day and Night in NYSC Camp</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/02/good-bad-and-ugly-of-nysc-camp.html">The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of NYSC Camp</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2012/02/nysc-anthem-and-morning-drills-videos.html">NYSC Anthem and Drills</a></li>
</ol>
<div>
Take care to everyone - buttery or not. God bless and much love from moi!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Berry. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-61483066445578864402013-02-28T16:20:00.001+01:002013-03-12T13:49:11.698+01:00NYSC Delta State Camp ReviewHello berryboos!<br />
<br />
As you know, I like to contribute to another site - <a href="http://www.reviewnaija.com/">Review Naija</a> - and the other day, I came across a review of the Delta State NYSC Camp by Nnamno N. It's really detailed and gives a good account of what the Orientation Camp was like, and I think it cuts across to all other camps in general. I've been generously allowed to "borrow" the post - which you can read directly at: <a href="http://www.reviewnaija.com/2013/02/nysc-delta-camp.html">NYSC Delta State Camp Review</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Posting</u></b>-I was posted to Delta State. The camp is in a village called Isselle – Uku, about 20 minutes from Asaba, the capital. The moment you cross the gate, that is it - you cannot leave until the end of the 3 week orientation unless you’re extremely sick or near death. In my case the Camp Commandant i.e. the big shot soldier guy who is not to be messed with, sent all the pregnant women and nursing mothers home to re-register when they could be away from their children for the whole 3 weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Registration at camp</u> </b>- Annoyingly enough there is another registration process in camp, and because we were about 2400 young men and women in my camp, average registration completion took 3 days. Mine took a week because I got my Call – Up letter but didn’t read the back until I had entered Delta, meaning I had to ask my family to send my University degree and Student ID by Delta Line courier service. In the interim, I had to purchase extremely undersized shoes, as every single person was required to wear white t – shirts, shorts and shoes everyday and the small market within camp didn’t have my shoe size. It was a pitiful and painful week.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Platoons & Soldiers</u></b> - Each participant is assigned to a platoon led by soldiers. All 12 soldiers sent to supervise us were Hausa except one or two who were non-Hausa women. The soldiers were incredibly strict by day while supervising us, but lax by night when they were not in uniform. The one or two people that messed with them ran with buckets of water on their head shouting “I be mumu!!”…I certainly wasn’t messing with anyone. The Camp Commandant had various rules also, one of which was “don’t be caught using your phone on the parade/assembly ground”… some intelligent idiot defied him and the Captain simply collected the phone and threw it away…and yes, it was a blackberry.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Lectures</u></b>- We had mandatory lectures from 9am to 2pm on entrepreneurial skills. Different small business owners would come to camp offering to teach us about bead making, baking, construction work, IT servicing, make up and how to get jobs with few companies. Two problems: attending these lectures were torturously boring – at least for me – because there were no breaks and often times you had to stand the whole time; secondly it is rare to find someone who spends years in the University to come out and learn bead making, or collecting government loan to start a farm as they were encouraging during these lectures. Those who were caught leaving the multi-purpose hall did 200 push ups, 150 frog jumps and whatever else the soldiers considered fun under the sun.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Food</u></b> - We were fed three times a day from a kitchen run by incredibly hard working women who were assisted by Youth Corpers for each meal. There was a lot of garri and soup, porridge beans, and jollof rice. On rare occasions, someone would donate a cow and we’d eat meat. Fish caused fights because the pieces were so small and we were entitled to one each so naturally people duped others by colluding with their friends serving food and stashing more than their share. However, some people patronized surrounding mama puts that served meals costing between 200 - 400 naira. Meals included indomie, jollof rice, salad, garri and soup, add-on proteins, etc. There were over 12 mama puts around this camp market. </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Water</u></b> - In the mornings, tankers brought water to the camp, and water was pumped at night. However, water would finish in less than 2 hours because people had to wash and shower. As for drinking water you either bought pure water or bottled water; there was no free drinking water whatsoever. If you went the pure water route you most certainly got typhoid after camp because there was a different company bringing their "pure" water every 4 days. As for the toilets, all pit latrines (cleaned daily), but the majority of Corpers went to toilet around the hostels, so the only way you slept at night was simply out of fatigue from the day because the stench around the hostels could destroy your nostrils - especially the girls hostel! Oh my goodness! It was so bad the Camp Commandant complained about it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;"><b><u>Summary</u></b>- If there’s anything NYSC achieves it is multi – ethnic cohesion. The population of the camp was overwhelmingly dominated by Igbo youth, followed by Yoruba youth, other South – South youth, and a handful of Hausas and Northerners. I don’t know the reason for such an imbalanced demographic but we all got along stunningly well. Group activities like marching, cooking for the camp, and doing sanitation motivated unity of purpose among all of us. There was a lot of inter-dating amongst tribes too...</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e06666;">All in all, camp encouraged us to treat each other with equality, just that it went on for too long: 3 weeks is too much!! And if you think that’s the end the real suffering begins right after camp when you have to get posted to one of four government sectors: health, infrastructure, energy, or education.</span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">So there, you have it. 2013 Batch A's about to start Orientation Camp in a week and a half... Don't forget to read up on my posts so you can prepare your mind for what's to come.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">Love all y'all,</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">Berry.</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">P.S. - Are you guys even reading my other blog??? Pleeeeeeeeeeease read it - <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-43230294023143338812013-02-21T07:51:00.002+01:002013-03-12T13:49:37.036+01:00So I passed out of NYSC - Miss T.D's Post-NYSC InterviewHiya Berryboos!<br />
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How are ya? I hope you're having a pretty week. Can I just say "Thank God tomorrow's Friday?!" I can't wait for the weekend to come so I can rest (yeah right). Have y'all been checking out my other blog??? You have? Good boys and girls! *gasp* You haven't??? Go to the naughty corner now! If you are not reading <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara's Blog</a>, YOU ARE WRONG! (lol, I had to throw in Corper language).<br />
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Ok, enough playing around. 2012 Batch A Corpers just passed out within the past week or two - A HEARTY CONGRATS from me! And as usual, I got someone from that batch to answer my interview questions. Without further ado, I present Miss T.D.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
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<ol>
<li><b>State your aje-butter credentials, according to Berry’s definition.</b> (See my definition here: http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.com/2011/12/calling-all-aje-butters.html)<br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">I'd fit into category a seeing as I left Nigeria at the age of 10 and only moved back at 23. Only visited like 3 times in that period.</span><br /></li>
<li><b>How would you summarize your NYSC experience from start to finish?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">My experience was interesting to say the least. I saw things I had never seen before and never want to see again. I met people that gave me the opportunity to drive to areas I never knew existed (Abule Egba). It had its ups and downs, laughs and tears but all in all, INTERESTING.</span><br /></li>
<li><b>What, if anything, did you learn during your NYSC year? Personally and career-wise?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">Personally and career wise i Learned that perseverance really takes you a LONG way. There were only 3 foreign students in my local govt and I was under the scrutiny of the supervisors and what not, but no matter what they said or did to me I still carried on and didn't bribe anyone.</span> (KUDOS TO YOU!)<br /></li>
<li><b>What are your personal views on the relevance of NYSC in Nigeria currently?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">Personally SCRAP IT. Apart from learning about another state (Ogun) it didn't significantly affect me.</span><br /></li>
<li><b>Why did you decide to go through NYSC?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">I had no choice but to go through NYSC. My dad believes it is our duty to serve and get the opportunities Nigeria has to offer.</span><br /></li>
<li><b>What was your experience like in camp? Favorite/worst memories?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">Favorite moment- playing Volleyball/ dancing at Mami Market.<br />Worst moment- Asthma Attack that required a drip and me getting kicked out of camp (not that I'm complaining) AND sanitary conditions of the bathrooms, LOL.</span><br /></li>
<li><b>What would you change in the NYSC program?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">I'd revamp the objectives of NYSC maybe make it a full military year of service.</span> (Excuse me? Someone's a joker *raised eyebrow*)<br /></li>
<li><b>What CD group did you join, and was the experience worthwhile?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">Cultural CD. Unfortunately the money the FG gave to us was signed out but never received by our local govt so we weren't able to carry out any project. So I suggested we do a competition, splitting the group up into Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo sub-groups, giving everyone the option to join any group regardless of your ethnicity. We had debates, quizzes, sports day and at Batch A's send off, we announced the result of the competition. This really helped keep attendance up. It was GREAT!<br /><br />PS - I'd say it was worthwhile since I got an award, LOL. </span>(NICE, Congratulations!)<br /></li>
<li><b>Do you have any advice for incoming aje-butter corpers?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">Incoming Ajebutters... NYSC is not for the faint of hearts. PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE... Just get into Zen mode because nothing ever goes according to time/schedule. You will line up for hours, share some nasty words with rude people, say 'Sir' and 'Ma' every time you address someone of significance. So throw your accent out of the door once you are in your khakis, and get dirty with everyone if you want to make it out alive and as quickly as possible.</span><br /></li>
<li><b>What are your plans post-NYSC?</b><br /><br /><span style="color: #e06666;">Long-term: Work for a year or so then back to grad school. Right now: SLEEP well, and scrub my face and feet!</span></li>
</ol>
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<b>BONUS QUESTION: What are you going to do with your uniform?</b> - <span style="color: #e06666;">Well I won't lie I already cut the shirt to keep the NYSC sign. The pants have disappeared. :))))))</span></div>
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And there we have it! While she says NYSC should be scrapped, it looks like she had fun and enjoyed herself. Like I say in my responses, just make the best of your NYSC year. It WILL be frustrating, you'll curse the existence of NYSC and wonder why anybody hates you enough to tell you to go through the program. But it IS an experience. </div>
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Thanks lady for answering my questions. Ladies and gentlemen, this chick answered my interview questions in RECORD TIME! I wish you the very best!</div>
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Until next time, HUGS, KISSES, HIGH-FIVES, WINKS and more from moi!</div>
<div>
Berry :)</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-65761707628618615542013-02-19T11:47:00.000+01:002013-03-12T13:50:28.922+01:00NYSC in the news...Good morning,<br />
<br />
This is Berry, your news anchor, reporting from the AJBU Newsroom. In breaking news from a correspondent in Abia State, a Youth Corps member was awarded a car recently, by the Purity Organization. The title bestowed on the young lady - 2013 World Purity Queen. This honor was given to her for "maintaining her virginity until marriage." In order to win, young women would have to be medically examined and certified as virgins. According to the president of the Purity Organization, only 2 women who applied were certified - the second winner will be awarded her car at a later date.<br />
<br />
For the full article, visit <a href="http://news.naij.com/24330.html">NYSC Member Wins Car for Maintaining Virginity</a>.<br />
<br />
In other NYSC news in today's broadcast,<br />
<a name='more'></a> the NYSC Director General, Brig Gen Nnamdi Okorie-Affia, has threatened to report Nigerian universities that routinely submit deficient graduates to the program. Due to the rejection of many Youth Corps members, on the grounds of academic deficiency, the NYSC has earned a bad name, according the the NYSC DG. In addition, other institutions also submit graduates who are overage; also many universities exceed their submission quotas by as much as 500%!<br />
<br />
The full article can be viewed at: <a href="http://nigerianuniversitynews.com/2013/01/nysc-threatens-to-report-institutions-with-half-baked-graduates.html">NYSC Threatens to Report Institutions with 'Half Baked' Graduates</a>.<br />
<br />
Thank you for joining us for today's headlines. I am Berry, your faithful newscaster. Have a pleasant day/evening.<br />
<br />
*arranges papers on news desk and adjusts glasses*Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-55436520997094593752013-02-04T10:44:00.001+01:002013-02-04T10:44:28.089+01:00So I heard that...Some people are paying for their NYSC certificates!<div>
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<div>
No, not AFTER going through the whole year. Like, when they get to the NYSC office in Abuja, they talk to someone - I have no idea who. They come with hard cash - preferably smaller bills so the package looks bulky. And whoever this/these person(s) is/are, helps them out and they get a "valid" NYSC certificate within a couple of hours.</div>
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<div>
DO NOT tell anybody that I told you this o! I was not there by that time o! I don't advocate unscrupulous behavior o! Remember, I'm goody-two-shoes and I'll deny that I even know how to spell NYSC, much less go online to blog anything. </div>
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Ok buh-bye!</div>
<div>
Berry kisses - I feel like I haven't sent hugs and kisses in a while. :(</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
MASSIVE HUG and A BERRYMILLION KISSES! Muah muah muah muah muah muaaaaaaaaaaah!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-10462276511753914962013-02-04T09:48:00.003+01:002013-02-04T09:48:57.847+01:00My NYSC Story Part 2... by DFinally, here's the next part of D's story. He's currently serving with 2012 Batch C in Lagos. In <a href="http://ajebutternysc.blogspot.nl/2013/01/my-nysc-story-part-1-by-d.html">the first part of his story</a>, he had just received his posting letter to his Place of Primary Assignment - a school 5 minutes away from his house, so this should be easy, right? WRONG!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>This is where things
get interesting. They say camp is the best part of NYSC and even though I
wasn’t in camp, I still called bullshit. So I showed up to my place of primary
assignment and had a chat with the school’s principal. My alarm bells should
have been going off when she said that Saturday would be a workday but I wasn’t
thinking straight. My dumb ass went ahead and registered with at the school, thinking
that I’d be able to work something out with her. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>A few days later, I
went back and leveled with her; told her my life story and everything I have
going on and long story short, we agreed that I’d “work” 3 days a week and have
the other two days off. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I’ve been with her
for about a month and a half now and that arrangement is soooooooo NOT working
out. First of all, I go in three times a week to do what? Please tell me why
she had me hanging off the 5<sup>th</sup> floor of a UNILAG building putting up
Christmas decorations…or how I’m so skilled in the art of making chin-chin…or
even better, how I’ve put all the analytical skills I acquired from the
prestigious North Carolina State University to organize every single catholic
sermon she has since 1988. Some of those sermons are older than me! So yeah
basically, a waste of fucking time!<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>So anyways I got an
offer from another school with a much better arrangement (working 1 day very
week) and I talked to my current boss about it and she said “Okay, if that’s
what you want to do, you can go; if it was my son....blah, blah.” For me to
leave, I have to get a termination letter from her. I’ve been trying to get
that letter for the past month. At first she claimed she needed to inform NYSC
to make sure she got a replacement but now the story is that her NYSC contact
says that there aren’t any replacements at all. So basically she’s refusing to
let me go until she’s assured she can get a replacement with the next batch IN
APRIL!<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>My contact at NYSC
walked me through the process of getting reposted: <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Get a
termination letter from the place you want to leave, <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Get a new
offer letter from your new primary assignment, <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Get your
original posting letter and <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->A letter
from you stating the reason why you need to be reposted. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I have everything
else except this woman’s termination letter!!! <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I have to say it
again… I think NYSC is a waste of time. <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I’m not a teacher;
I’ve never wanted to be a teacher and the stuff that I’m good at that I can
teach are not on any curriculums here. People actually go to school for years
to learn how to teach so this idea of posting everyone to teach is the dumbest
thing! I know Nigerian schools could use some help but this is doing more harm
than good. I’ll probably ruin some kid’s life trying to teach him math or
something. Hell, I studied journalism and I have a good grasp of the English
language (TRICOL Spelling Bee 04-05 what up!) but again I don’t have the
slightest idea how to teach English.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>And then, the
problem of pedophilia is real. For those that don’t know what pedophiles
are, there are some people out there whose sexual preference is children. I’m
sure in the number of corpers serving, there are a few pedophiles sprinkled in
here and there and NYSC now sends those people into schools? Talk about aiding
and abetting.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>So yeah NYSC: a
colossal waste of time. I’ve been advising everyone I know to avoid it if they
can. I think it’s also pretty ridiculous
that NYSC is on this thing now about being a entrepreneur, and yet during NYSC,
you’re not supposed to be earning any supplementary income. I’m sorry but I’m
not about to give up the business I spent the last six years building, for
N19,800 a month. I don’t mean to brag but I make 20 times that in a few hours
of work…<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>One fun thing I
actually like about NYSC though: my Community Development Service.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b>I’ll keep y’all
posted on how things work out.</b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">P.S. - BUAHAHAHAHAHA @ making chin-chin as your primary assignment! Btw, I got an update from D a few days ago. I really feel bad for him cos the woman's being soooooooo mean! He'll watch how things go in the next couple of weeks and I'll share with you. </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-75948386174629378772013-01-28T18:26:00.003+01:002013-01-29T07:48:51.152+01:00White Nigerian CorperHi friends!<br />
<br />
How are ya? I hope everyone's well. I know I owe you Part 2 of D's NYSC story and I promise it's coming this week!<br />
<br />
I was perusing Bella Naija today and saw a nice NYSC-related feature. Mohammed Jamal, a "white" man born and raised in Nigeria (folks commenting are going back and forth about his parental origins, hence the quote marks), chose to come back to Nigeria after completing his university studies in England. I'd heard about him as a comedian, stage name White Nigerian, but didn't delve farther. So it was a wonderful surprise to see his story on Bella Naija today, and I thought I would share the article with you guys.<br />
<br />
Excerpt from Bella Naija<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
“They say “never judge a book by its cover” and that’s exactly right. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lot of people see me and assume I am an “Oyibo.” I’m not and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
let my color not deceive you. It’s what’s inside that counts and for me </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
apart from the color, I am Nigerian to the core. Born and bred in Jos, I grew up </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
speaking Hausa and of course pidgin English. I have one passport and it’s green. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So just like every other Nigerian, I completed my studies and decided to serve my country. </div>
<br />
Click to read the full story: <a href="http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/01/28/white-nigerian-mohammed-jammal-shares-his-nysc-experience-with-bn/">White Nigerian Corper on Bella Naija</a><br />
<br />
So, I shall be posting the next part of D's story this week. Have a pretty week.<br />
<br />
Berry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-76459238406088972732013-01-18T13:58:00.001+01:002013-02-04T10:34:05.661+01:00My NYSC story Part 1... by D.Hi guys,<br />
<br />
I promised you I'd have something juicy for you to read from someone who just started his NYSC service. He FOINALLY forwarded his stories to me, and I thank God mine's over and done with. Grab some popcorn, a cold soda or hot chocolate depending on the weather and have fun reading. I've broken the story down into 2/3 parts. This is Part 1.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: blue;">Hey y’all. Let me start this off by saying NYSC is a colossal waste of time! I used to be one of those people who defended the purpose of NYSC and while I still believe in that purpose, I also believe that it has been lost along the way, especially now, with the whole everyone-must-teach thing. And now that I’m actually doing NYSC, I can testify from my personal experience that it’s a big fucking waste of time! But we’ll get to that later…</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"></span></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">I had no intentions of doing NYSC. I was only supposed to be in Lagos for two weeks before returning to start school at UCLA but as things turned out, that wasn’t meant to be… Another story for another day, LOL.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Before I knew it, I was in Abuja registering for NYSC and then camp came around. I had every intention of staying in camp; I read all the guides, got a shopping list and bought EVERYTHING, good to go!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">I get to camp on the first day of registration around about 5 a.m.; first person in line, or so I thought. As more people come, we start lining up at the gate and we’re given numbers. I’m number 1 – YEAH BOYYYEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">About an hour later, we’re sent to the main camp area and my face drops as I see about 300 people already there. I mean, who sleeps over in camp the night before?! Camp is not that serious! Anyway we’re told to go get chairs and sit on the parade ground. It’s about 7 a.m. At this point, the numbers we were given at the gate count for nothing. SMH. That’s the point when I realized that this was going to be a long ass day.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">At 7.30, one of the soldiers comes and says that we should go to the hostel and get accommodation before we register. I go to the hostel, start lining up again and another soldier says we should go back and register before getting accommodation (sidenote: registration hasn’t even started yet) We all go back to the parade ground and sit down again. The first soldier comes back and says they won’t register us until we get accommodation. Back to the hostel.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">We do this back and forth for the next hour. I just stand around and wait for these soldiers get their shit together and decide what they want us to do. Eventually, they start giving accommodation. We write our names on a list and he calls the first 40 people to follow him. We walk to a small ass room and he’s like all of us must fit in here. At this point my exact words were “Fuck this shit” and all intentions of staying in camp went straight out of the hole in the wall that was the “window”. I left my stuff there so I wouldn’t have to keep dragging it around and headed back to the parade ground to check on registration.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">At the parade ground and we’re told to sit down again in rows of 50. I’m on like row 6. How did I get from being number 1 at the beginning of the day to number 300+??? See demotion! After 3 hours under the scorching sun (it was so hot, my iPhone actually vexed and gave me an error message I’ve never seen in my life “iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it”) they finally call my group to stand in yet another line for registration. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">For registration, you get like 5 or 6 different forms that you have to fill with ALL THE SAME DAMN INFORMATION! Seriously, it’s the same thing you have to write on each form! I wrote my name so many times that day that I actually considered changing it and for those of us that have ridiculously long FIRST and MIDDLE names, it was horrible! Also make sure you have like at least 10 passport photos because you put them on everything. And you should go with a disposable stapler; it will save you a bit of money and time and trust me, you’ll become everyone’s new best friend. I actually became pretty cool one of the guys that used my stapler, lol.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">With registration done I now had to figure out how to get an exeat. For those of you on the exeat route, know this: MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR’S NOTE IS FROM A GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL! If you don’t get anything else from this story, get that. I spent the 3 hours trying to get my exeat given to me because of that. As in the NYSC official had written the exeat, the camp supervisor had signed it, and when I was called to pick it up, the official looks at the letter again and says “We don’t accept private hospital notes. Wait here.” I waited “here” for 2 and a half hours. I went to get a drink, charge my phone and came back to continue waiting “here.” Eventually I called the camp commandant (don’t ask how I got his number) and he’s like I should go to the sick bay (haven’t heard that word in forever!) and get my note approved.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">The actor in me came out immediately. Out of nowhere, I had bronchitis and was showing symptoms of SARS. The doctor there actually thought I was contagious and pulled out a face mask and gloves… I almost believed it myself. I think I was inspired by what the camp bathroom looked like *throws up again*</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Anyways I got his approval and my exeat. On my way out of camp, I stopped by my platoon. My pack of pens came in handy because one of the officers I had given the whole pack to, got my BBM pin and said he’d let me know whenever I needed to come back to camp. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">True to his word, he hit me up every time I had to come to camp (not saying I went, but hey). He even threw in quite a few random “Gd mrning” messages in there. I kept getting those “Gd mrnings” until I was forced to delete him! Actually, I just got a new BB and conveniently forgot to re-add him :p</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Over the next three weeks, I went to camp once to pick up my ID and incidentally my platoon was signing the book of life that day so I was able to kill two birds with one stone. On the last day of camp, I showed up at noon just in time for the handing out of posting letters. I hadn’t “arranged” my posting but as it turned out, I got posted to a school 5 minutes away from my house. </span></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Part 2 of D's story will be posted next week. Stay tuned to hear about his Place of Primary Assignment...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have a pretty weekend and read my other blog - <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara</a>!</div>
<div>
Berry</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-56084972935475127142013-01-15T13:01:00.000+01:002013-01-15T13:01:29.604+01:00Rumors are swirling...Hey gents and dolls!<br />
<br />
How's your week coming? Mine's pretty darn good - I think. Anyways, I bet you're keen on hearing what the rumor is. Well... there's been a lot of talk on Twitter. Apparently NYSC wants to increase the monthly allowance for corpers! It's not confirmed yet, but officials are saying they've heard the claim as well. So what does this mean for corpers?<br />
<br />
Now you can <strike>spend</strike> save N33,000.00 a month! This is as opposed to the former N19,800.00 a month. In USD, this is going from $123.75 to $206.25 using a 1USD = 160NGN exchange rate.<br />
<br />
A lot of corpers depend on this allowance for their day-to-day living. Others use theirs to go shopping. I didn't really need mine and saved the bulk of it.<br />
<br />
If it's confirmed, I'll let you know.<br />
<br />
Have a berry pretty rest of the week!<br />
Berry :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-63639758575686384032013-01-10T13:34:00.001+01:002013-01-10T14:23:03.295+01:00NYSC Lagos Camp ReviewHey everyone,<br />
<br />
How's 2013 going so far? I hope everyone's happy and loving life - or at least being content. Speaking of contentment, here's a great quote I got from Joyce Meyer's devotional:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Find a balance between Contentment and Ambition.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the key: Learn to ENJOY WHERE YOU ARE ON THE WAY TO WHERE YOU'RE GOING. </div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Anyways, I've got a post for you - well, obviously, otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. It's not from MY personal experience, but somewhere else in the Bloggerverse, a currently-serving corps member posted a review of the NYSC Lagos Camp. I think she did a great job in her review and I'm sad I didn't really take a lot of pictures. But going through her post brought back a lot of memories and gives you an accurate picture of what Lagos Camp in Iyana-Ipaja is like.<br />
<br />
Happy reading! <a href="http://www.reviewnaija.com/2013/01/nysc-lagos-camp.html">NYSC Lagos Camp Review on Review Naija</a><br />
<br />
Oh and don't forget to skip on over to my new blog: <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara</a><br />
<br />
Hugs, kisses and sticking-out-my-tongue atcha!<br />
<br />
Berry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-25180907505582979622013-01-06T21:44:00.002+01:002013-01-06T21:44:45.011+01:00NYSC 2013 Batch A Time TableHi guys,<br />
<br />
As promised, here's the schedule for the 2013 Batch A prospective corps members. Foreign grads have already started registering and Orientation Camp starts in March. Again, no need to worry about the other stuff in the schedule as they pertain only to NYSC officials. The link to the schedule is at <a href="http://nysc.gov.ng/mob-timetable/2013/2013a.php" target="_blank">NYSC 2013 Batch A Mobilization Timetable</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" bordercolor="#00CC66" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #ff99cc; width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pre-mobilization Workshop Meeting</td>
<td>16th January, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Registration of Foreign-trained Nigerian Graduates</td>
<td>10th December, 2012 - 26th February, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Submission of Masterlist. Screening/Vetting by Mobilization Officers</td>
<td>21st - 23rd January, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Action by the ICT Department</td>
<td>21st - 29th January, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Delivery of Corps Mobilization</td>
<td>30th January, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Delivery of Preliminary Printouts to CPIs</td>
<td>30th - 31st January, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Return of Corrected Printouts by Institutions to NYSC NDHQ</td>
<td>4th - 6th January, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Action by ICT)</td>
<td>4th - 19th February, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sorting and Packaging of Call-up letters</td>
<td>20th - 25th February, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Delivery of Call-up letters to Institutions / NYSC Secretariats</td>
<td>26th - 28th February, 2013</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Briefing of Prospective Corps Members</td>
<td>Throughout the year</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course aka CAMP</td>
<td>5th - 26th March, 2013</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-24566143218884249872013-01-06T21:29:00.004+01:002013-01-06T21:31:31.967+01:00OMG! Miracles DO happen for real! Like I'm in TOTAL shock right now!<br />
<br />
I haven't really had any cause to check the NYSC website since the 2012 Batch C corpers left camp. And then I got a comment from my last post asking about the NYSC fees, so I decided to go to the site and get info.<br />
<br />
THEY'VE REDESIGNED THE NYSC WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
*does victory dance*<br />
<br />
I was so overly excited, I almost missed out on VERY IMPORTANT information<br />
<a name='more'></a>2013 Batch A Foreign Graduates have started registering already!!! I'll put up the time table in my next post. But let's all join hands, sing Kumbaya, and thank God for miracles!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9AdjrTX1EdmlOyRZGrZhXqv6UsFlOgh_arX1QfYA4fRs-ZKMYpD7Zg579YIRfwKoxEWsDmf6b-gRU7V5yJ3PMmOkVmc6q2UjyuFUmOMJCSBB9dNBi5c2Yvwl4HXIcf77gz7WgovhT3v1/s1600/nyscnewsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9AdjrTX1EdmlOyRZGrZhXqv6UsFlOgh_arX1QfYA4fRs-ZKMYpD7Zg579YIRfwKoxEWsDmf6b-gRU7V5yJ3PMmOkVmc6q2UjyuFUmOMJCSBB9dNBi5c2Yvwl4HXIcf77gz7WgovhT3v1/s640/nyscnewsite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I feel like a proud mama. *Ok, that's definitely doing too much*<br />
<br />
Toodles and don't forget to check out my new blog: <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara</a>.<br />
<br />
Berry<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-69815790372234568652013-01-02T15:42:00.000+01:002013-01-02T15:42:07.981+01:00Happy New Year Everyone!Hello ladies and gentlemen!<br />
<br />
Welcome to 2013 - Happy New Year from moi! This time last year, I was looking at a veeeeeeeery loooooooong year ahead of me in NYSC. Thanks to God, I finished in one piece!<br />
<br />
And now with the new year, I have a few things I want to do. I haven't quite come up with a definitive list yet, but it will all be revealed on my new non-NYSC blog - <a href="http://berrydakara.blogspot.com/">Berry Dakara</a>!<br />
<br />
This one will still be left open... I'm expecting a post on a Batch C corps member from his Orientation Camp experience (he chickened out of staying) to the frustration with his Place of Primary Assignment.<br />
<br />
I'm cautiously excited about 2013. I expect 1 or 2 major changes personally and professionally, God-willing.<br />
<br />
Signing out now! Here's a kiss from me to start 2013!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWWrQjSeZs0wj94n_y5XbkYomNgLQqjoMggLp_wawx2NRGJTry1malw4z3H5rTecQFLF1ueBG_o2_w1Oa2vg8Iyi5vgJI8MltZ0SuiXchvIP5vcPKXmeplWCIfyWccZO3DvKf1YMuccuc/s1600/berrydakarahny13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWWrQjSeZs0wj94n_y5XbkYomNgLQqjoMggLp_wawx2NRGJTry1malw4z3H5rTecQFLF1ueBG_o2_w1Oa2vg8Iyi5vgJI8MltZ0SuiXchvIP5vcPKXmeplWCIfyWccZO3DvKf1YMuccuc/s320/berrydakarahny13.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6412515921773072056.post-12346956633933741322012-12-24T11:18:00.001+01:002012-12-24T11:18:44.618+01:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Hey Y'all,<br />
<br />
Just stopped by to wish you a wonderful holiday season!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvnK7M3ZkXmrhpa_GW1nMC-BSMhVc35CVDuH23sHfpy8_3M4sEGzaFCw8hbnF-blwmnwwjAMKq61vlLaQcYai5oTwG9yVqiA8-YdBtk7JKT92eiRbnMTc674GAHveQhaFRLp09Q08_ubZ/s1600/berry+latte+hh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvnK7M3ZkXmrhpa_GW1nMC-BSMhVc35CVDuH23sHfpy8_3M4sEGzaFCw8hbnF-blwmnwwjAMKq61vlLaQcYai5oTwG9yVqiA8-YdBtk7JKT92eiRbnMTc674GAHveQhaFRLp09Q08_ubZ/s640/berry+latte+hh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here are some Christmas carols I like to listen to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1. Christmas is Green - See my friend/cousin depending on what year you met us, Chidynma!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1206JbHRfZ8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
2. Drunk daze of Christmas has to be in my Top 3 list of Christmas Carols<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0hFb-vepuM8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
3. Of course, everyone loves 'All I want for Christmas is youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu'<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/yXQViqx6GMY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
4. Christmas rock songs are AWESOME! Love Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve/Sarajevo! And the combination of dancing Christmas displays!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IPyu792UDVs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
BTW - someone created a BB app for the website - just a simple application that pushes new posts for now. Check it out and thanks to Mr. Gbenga Olaoye who did it completely out of the blue! <a href="http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20108332">http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20108332</a><br />
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While I'll keep this blog running, I think it's time to move on - so look out for Berry Dakara's (no more Choco Latte) blog. It'll feature Food, Faith, Fashion, Friends, and Fun!<br />
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Love you all and see ya next year.<br />
Berry.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2