My Third PPA? Yes, You Heard Me Right! 😂

Yes, you heard me right.

At this point, I sometimes wonder if I am serving NYSC or auditioning for different workplaces. 😂

When I received my posting letter, I was filled with hope and excitement. I looked forward to having an easy and relatively stress-free NYSC experience. I came with my hopes, my joy and, of course, my business. I even carried my business down here, hoping it would survive alongside my service year.

Little did I know that my PPA had other plans for me.

My first PPA started with marketing under the sun and going to work almost every day, except on CDS days. Gradually, the excitement I came with started disappearing. I struggled at the beginning of my service year. I felt frustrated, overwhelmed and, at some point, hopeless.

I kept telling myself, Just endure it. It’s only one year.

But apparently, my PPA did not get that memo.

Just when I thought I could manage everything and simply pretend until the one year was over, my boss became a thorn in my flesh. The situation became unbearable, and eventually, I had to be reposted.

I thought to myself, Okay, surely the second PPA will be better.

Ah! Innocent me. 😂

At my second PPA, I met a boss who, no matter how hard I worked or how much effort I put in, never seemed to appreciate my work or input.

I went out of my way. I gave my best. I contributed my ideas. I did everything within my capacity to make things work.

But somehow, my efforts still felt invisible.

Then came that day.

Just one day.

The day my patience finally resigned from its position.

I lost it.

I gave the man a piece of my mind. At that point, I already knew there would be consequences, and honestly, I was prepared for whatever came next.

And it came.

I GOT REJECTED AGAIN.😭😂

At this point, I began to wonder if my LGI had started asking himself, What exactly is wrong with this girl?

I remember calling my LGI before my reposting, and he told me to allow him some time to think because he wasn’t ready to change me again.

And I understood him.

Eventually, I was reposted to my third PPA.

And somehow, this third PPA has given me a completely different experience.

Looking back, I realise that despite all the wahala, I have actually been fortunate in some ways. Throughout this journey, I haven’t had to struggle with accommodation, electricity or water issues. Those are major challenges for many corps members, and I am genuinely grateful that I have been spared those particular battles.

My plan when I started NYSC was simple: serve, gather experience and grow my business.

NYSC looked at my plan and said, Let’s see about that. 😂

The journey has definitely not gone according to plan.

There have been days I felt frustrated. Days I questioned things. Days when I wondered why my experience had to be this complicated.

I still carry the pain and weight of some of those experiences, although I have also learned that some things are better left unsaid.

But through it all, God has remained faithful.

Did my PPAs give me wahala?

YES.

Did my business eventually start picking up again?

To an extent, YES.

Did I make new friends?

Absolutely.

And honestly, some of these friendships have become part of the reasons this journey feels a lot more bearable and enjoyable.

Interestingly, my third PPA has also given me something I didn’t realise I needed SPACE

Space to reflect.

Space to discover myself.

Space to learn a new skill.

Space to have some “me time.”

Space to think about the future I want.

What initially looked like another reposting has gradually become a blessing in disguise.

I am still serving.

I am still wearing this khaki.

I am still counting down the months.

And I am still learning.

My NYSC experience has been a complete roller coaster so far pain, joy, frustration, laughter, disappointment, friendship, growth and unexpected blessings.

It is nothing like the experience I imagined when I received my posting letter.

But maybe that is the beauty of the journey.

Sometimes, life doesn’t follow the script we write for it. Sometimes, you get rejected, redirected and moved from one place to another, only to realise later that every turn was taking you somewhere you needed to be.

So, I may not know exactly how the rest of this NYSC journey will unfold.

But one thing I know is this:

I came into NYSC with a plan.

NYSC gave me three PPAs instead. 😂

And although the journey has been far from perfect, I am grateful for every lesson, every friendship, every challenge and every unexpected blessing.

My service year isn’t over yet.

The story is still being written.

But so far, if there is one thing NYSC has taught me, it is this:

Sometimes, getting rejected isn’t the end of the story. Sometimes, it is simply a redirection to where you are meant to be.❤️