YOUTH corps members serving in Jos Friday bared their minds on living in the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’. For most of them, mention of Plateau State brings back memories of the crises that had occurred and sends the signal that the state could be unsafe for them during their year-long service. However, others would want to give it a try, placing their hopes and security in God.
In an interview with The Guardian, George Matthew, a 2012 Batch ‘C’ corps member serving in Plateau, said his experience in Jos is worthwhile. “Jos is a lovely place. The weather, the costs of things are moderate unlike any other states and I am really enjoying it. Prior to my coming to Plateau, due to the level of insecurity, I was warned to mind the places I visit, avoid watching football matches at public viewing centres and drinking joints. I mind my movement; from my house to work and from work to church.
Casmir Onyedika a graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu and Batch ‘A’ corps member said “apart from security issues”, he has no fear staying in Jos.
On how he hopes to cope with the new environment, he said he would “watch others the way they behave and do same and also understand their culture and so adapt”.
Bibian Mary, a Batch ‘B’ corps member who is still serving in Jos, said she feared the insecurity in Jos. “The insecurity on the Plateau is a big challenge. Honestly, apart from that, Plateau is a nice place to be. Personally I have not witnessed any violence here in Jos but what we hear (violence) people say is enough to trigger that fear. But there was a time I saw something that looked like violence. I passed through a street around November last year and I saw people running and I was scared. I had to return home through a cab,” she said.
Speaking further, Bibian said, her fear grew when she witnessed a bomb blast near the orientation camp in Zang Commercial Secondary School, Bukuru in July, 2012.
“The echo was such that could trigger fear and panic and the security men in the camp calmed us down. They told us that everything was under control, although there was a lot of panic in the camp. Another incident occurred when I was on my way to report to my Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) in August last year when I heard of violence. This was around 12 noon and I retired back to where I had come from. Aside that, I have not witnessed any other incidence of violence”.
The Anambra indigene said she would like to live in Jos if she is gainfully employed after her service year. “Plateau is a very nice place to live, at last for a starter. The cost of living is very cheap, the people are accommodating and I am getting used to the cold weather. So I urge corps members to accept their deployment in good faith”.
Chioma Ugwu, a 2013 Batch ‘A’ corps member said when she received her call-up letter showing Plateau State, she was comfortable with it except for her family members. “I had no fear because I believe that God was aware of my deployment to serve in Plateau State. I had every opportunity to influence my posting but I refused and wanted it to be naturally the way it should, although I wanted either South East or South-South.
“The fear was more from my family members. When they heard of it, they said I should ask to be redeployed but I refused. There is something I believe in life. I believe that when you take short cuts, you cut short your destiny. I think it will defeat the goal of the scheme (NYSC) of national integration. Let me tell you, why my father was afraid because we lost three relatives in Jos during the crisis. The only support I got was from my mother and she told me to ‘go and you will find favour in Plateau State.’ Even the man who came to pick me at the park here in Jos said Plateau is okay but that I have to be careful.
“The fear I am nursing is that despite the fact that everything is looking calm and cool now, anything can happen, you can’t predict the future,” she said, adding that traditional rulers have huge role to play in “bringing lasting peace to the state”.
McDonald, a graduate of Abia State University and Batch ‘A’ corps member serving on the Plateau said he had no fears serving in the state. “I have no fears serving in Plateau but I had intended to serve in Lagos State or Akwa-Ibom. I saw it as an opportunity to leave the South East and experience another environment. Although I heard of the Jos crisis before accepting to serve in the state, I was convinced that nothing was going to happen to me. My parents had wanted me to redeploy but I refused to collect the redeployment form but I did not inform them.
“Security-wise, I pray no harm happens to us serving corps members. I am convinced that nothing will happen to us. I don’t bear any fear in my mind.”
Martins Abel, a graduate of Ebonyi State University (EBSU) and 2013 Batch ‘A’ corps member said he had no fear being deployed in the state since he knew he was going to enjoy his stay. “I know and have confidence that God will protect me. I know that it is God who sent me here and I will have to serve my fatherland.
“Although the day I received my call-up letter, I was shocked that it is Plateau but I prayed to God because I did not influenced my posting. For now, I have no fear serving in Jos. The insecurity mentality I used to have about Jos is no more.”
He said he wants to help develop the state and bring lasting peace to Plateau as he nurses the dream of living in Jos, adding that if he finds a “lady here in Jos that suits my taste, I will marry her”.
Ebigbo, a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi Adamawa State and 2013 Batch ‘A’ corps member, said he didn’t expect to be sent to Plateau but the Western part of the country. “When I was posted here, I was shocked but I have to cope by not keeping late nights. My expectation is that I will not experience any form of violence while serving in Jos.”
On his part, Charles Ekwu a 2013 Batch ‘A’ corps member who said the cold weather in Jos has made his stay memorable, explained that he has no fear serving in Jos.
“Everybody have in minds that Jos is a no-go area and that whoever finds him/herself here must be careful, but I don’t think I have any fear because one with God is majority”.
Jos Is Okay, But... Say Corps Members
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