This is a warning to all new corps members who want to have peace of mind and enjoy the next 11 months of their service year at their place of primary assignment.
So many people and firms take advantage of corps members to achieve the end goal of their companies.
In order not to be used like slaves and cleaning rags by anybody, all in the name of serving your fatherland, you need to read this.
Most new corps members that just left camp are always too eager to get to their place of primary assignment and get accepted so they could return home quickly.
Even though they complain of staying at home during the postponement and delay in the date for the camp.
Perhaps to show their new khaki to their parents or maybe to slay around the street.
You are not alone in that; I felt the same urge, too.
Just like everybody else. It’s normal.
Note that most PPA are good and can be so kind and remember you will not be the first corps member there.
But please, before you accept that place of primary assignment, you are being posted to note:
1. Don’t Be Anxious
Don’t be too eager to get or accept any PPA.
There is always enough time.
Believe me, waiting is worth it.
Don’t be too anxious and frustrated that you will accept on a marketing company where you have to be hawking and walking around to get people to buy a product or whatever.
You are better than that.
Don’t be like many corps members, who in the name of frustration for a PPA quickly, accepted primary schools and ended up being treated like nannies, baby-sitting and cleaning the mess of kindergarten pupils.
2. Good Accommodation
I will not lie about this.
Most PPA do not have conducive accommodation for all the corps members posted under them because of facilities, too much crowd and others.
Some PPA might provide accommodation and you might not like it for privacy or other reasons.
There might be many reasons you want to look for accommodation by yourself:
- Privacy
- Electricity
- Network
- Location
- Conducive part
- Environment
…name it…… and more
3. Your Free Day Must Be Allowed
You have privilege to a day of every week, in which you are not expected to be at your PPA at all (usually your CDS day).
Your PPA must be ready to give you this day fully.
You’re not expected to work on this free day.
It’s a work-free day for you.
Your boss might push you by asking, but you have to state it that CDS days are off.
4. Local Allowance
That’s the allowance (money) the PPA will pay you at the end of every month.
That’s if it’s a private PPA.
This money should not be less than ₦15k, can be more, say ₦25k up to ₦200k.
Let them know you don’t like to be owed also because many employers are fond of that.
You don’t have to be rude about that.
You just have to make your point clear.
The ₦33,000 allowee alone won’t be enough.
5. Work Load
Don’t let them overwork you.
You are not expected to teach over two subjects if you are working in a school.
But sometimes, out of compassion, you can take more if you can handle it.
6. Do Your Research
Ask questions and gather information from the existing corps members and workers in the organization to know how the management has been dealing with their workers.
By this, you will tell if they will keep their promises to you or not.
7. Rules and Regulations
This might apply to every PPA, however, some PPA have some rules that you might not abide with.
This is common among mission schools and some organizations.
There are some places they will tell you that’s you can’t wear this, you can’t do this, a male should not come visit, this, that’s and bla bla bla….
Some organization will tell you to put on tight clothes and miniskirts to promote their product and bring customers.
If it’s okay with you, tell them and, if otherwise, tell them to reject you.
So, you might need to ask existing corps members stylishly if they have any funny rules here.
They will issue you an acceptance letter after all agreement and you will take the letter to your zonal inspector.
Then you can now go home and come back after the stipulated day.
Do not be too anxious.
This is where you will spend the rest of your 11 months.
You are not meant to endure; you enjoy.
