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MY LIFE AFTER NYSC by Uche Onwuemeli (@UchennaNG )

After I finished my NYSC I had no job, my friends were getting good jobs & I couldn't even bag any job. It was a challenging period & I eventually fell into depression until something happened.

 After I collected my NYSC discharge certificate the first thing I did was to go home to call my family members to inform them I had passed out, then I started to call all those uncles that promised me a job when I graduate. "Hello sir, I have graduated o" "Yes o"

Few days later I bade all my girlfriends’ goodbye and ran back to Lagos to go chase my dreams, I started to apply for jobs & I wasn't getting feedbacks from any of the firms. I wasn't discouraged & kept applying until after a while all my savings got exhausted & I became

I could no longer afford little things like BIS and call credit, my parents were busy attending to my siblings & I was already feeling too old to ask them for anything. I started networking with colleagues & looking for opportunities in other parts of the country. No job still!

One day I got a call from my friend Zik who stayed in Port Harcourt, we got talking and he told me I could try PH. He said he had a place I could stay for free, I started to think about it. Later that evening I got a ping from Stephen & he told me progress got a job in PH What?

If progress could get a job before me it meant I was finished, I started to pack my bags to travel to Port Harcourt. "Me sef must get job by fire by force" I thought to myself as I folded my clothes into my traveling bag. Luckily for me KK was traveling with a car that weekend.

So I joined KK and we travelled to Port Harcourt together, the journey was smooth up until we got to Owerri - Port Harcourt road which had always been a mess. We managed to maneuver and found our way to Elele, minutes later we got to Rumuola and I dropped to take a cab to Zik's.

When I got to his place I called him to inform him that I was at his gate, he then told me that he was at Onne but he would send someone to me. Few minutes later the gate opened and Zik's brother welcomed me, I went in to greet his parents and get to meet them. "Hello ma"

After familiarizing myself with Zik's parents and siblings I was shown to the boys’ quarters where I would be staying, though they had asked if I would love to stay in the main house or the BQ for my own privacy & I opted for the BQ. "In case I wan carry babe I no wan hear story"

I settled in and that same night I started to apply for "Graduate Trainee" jobs at Oil Companies there in Port Harcourt, I sent in about 20 applications that night and hoped to get feedback the next day. The next morning I opened my email & I didn't get any feedback. "Nawa o"

I kept on applying to all the big organizations I knew, all my friends were working for top organizations and I had felt I needed to get into one of the top organizations. Even progress was working in a top company; "if progress could get a good job in Port Harcourt so can I"

Days, weeks, and months went by and I was yet to get an ordinary invitation for interview. I was becoming depressed & life was becoming miserable for me. One day I got a call from one of our colleagues from school who invited me to a party in GRA, I was bored so I decided to go.

Getting there I saw a couple of other of our friends from school at the party, they were all having fun & socializing. I went in and greeted them, sat down and they started to order drinks for me. Few minutes later one fine girl came to sit beside me & somehow we got talking

I was in a good mood and I started to say things that made her laugh, along the line she asked if I went to school with the other guys and I said yes; she asked where I worked and I told her I had no job yet. Her mood changed, she realized she was talking to a jobless guy. Hmmm

I tried to brush off the vibe & act like it wasn't a big deal, I told her I would get a job & she faked a smile. I realized there was no hope for a jobless guy like me Few minutes later I heard the boys hailing; "Biggest boy!" "Oil money" I looked to see who it was Progress

Progress was already famous amongst our friends for working in one of the Oil servicing companies in Port Harcourt, he greeted everybody & finally got to where I was; "Oh boy how far you na, see as you fresh" progress said. I was furious but I just hid it & greeted him back

We had barely talked when the girl I was trying to 'toast' smiled at progress and introduced herself, progress smiled back at her and before you knew it they started talking. "You're cute" the girl told progress & his head started to swell like ijebu garri, I was just there like

In less than 10 minutes I had become invisible to both Progress and the girl, they got talking and the girl was already laughing. Progress had become cute and funny all of a sudden, I wept and started thinking of my life. Could this be me? Hmmm

I stood up to leave and as I walked through to greet everyone I noticed they were all engaged; laughing and gisting with one another, "this must be a gathering of the employed" I thought. I didn't even bother and I just left without saying goodbye to anyone, I went home sad.

When I got home I started to think of my life, my dreams and abilities. I knew I was smart & I wondered why I wasn't even getting called for interviews, I started to apply to other kind of jobs. I applied to any kind of job I came across, still no feedback. I became depressed

I started overthinking, I would stay up late. Looking at posts from my friends at work or at a social gathering made me more depressed, I kept wondering when I would get a job so that I could be a "man". I took to alcohol in other to fall asleep at night, I cried most nights

One afternoon I was with my phone pinging and I got am email from one of the companies I had applied to, the invited me for an interview I jumped up and quickly went to bring out my suit, it had gathered dust since I came to PH due to idleness. I started cleaning it up

I arranged and ironed all the clothes I may need, I went online and started to rehearse for the interview. The D day was here and I woke up very early, had my bath and got dressed. I didn't bother to eat I just set out to the venue immediately it was 7:30am

I got to the place & sat, I was interviewing for a procurement trainee role so I was in the 4th batch. It soon got to my turn & I was nervous, I went in & couldn't speak confidently due to my nervousness. Luckily I made it past the 1st stage & was told to wait for the 2nd stage

About an hour later I went in for the next stage of the interview and didn't go through, I became very sad and went back home I got home and undressed, I picked up my phone & updated "frustrated" on my BBM status. Few minutes later I got a call, I look to see who; "Progress!"

I didn't want to pick up but I changed my mind & picked; "How far?" "Guy wetin dey frustrate you?" "Long story jare" "No worry, come Casablanca by 7pm make we chill na" "Ehen, okay I go try sha" I hung up & started to think of my life; "So progress is doing better than me"

I didn't want to go for the hangout as I was feeling very bad, but the moment I thought of what cold beer can do to me I decided to change my mind. I went to a nearby salon to barb away the bad luck in me, came in to freshen up and headed straight to Casablanca to join the boys.

As I walked into the place I saw boys sitting and drinking, I smiled and greeted them all then joined them. Few minutes later progress walks in making a phone call "How una dey na?" "We dey" "I wan control one babe" In less than 15 minutes the girl from the last hangout came!

I almost started feeling bad again but I reminded myself of why I was there; to drink away my sorrows. "Abeg give me cold Heineken" Before I could look down to my phone I saw someone standing close to me "Can I join you?" I looked and it was the girl, "Sure" I respond "Ok"

"You look a bit different" she said, I thanked her and asked her for her name as I never asked the last time, she said her name was "Emem". I told her my name and she smiled, she then went ahead to apologize for how she left me for progress the other day. "It's okay" "Thanks"

I asked her if she wasn't going to sit with progress and she said "unless you want to chase me away" "Me? Am I mad?" "Why would I chase you away when I'm thinking of how to bring you into my life" I replied "Really? I thought you'd hate me" "Hate you keh? Mba o" "Stay biko"

We got talking & started to get along even much better than the last time, I noticed progress giving me eye from one corner but I ignored him totally. We talked and drank for hours & it was soon time to leave, I asked where she stayed and it happened that she stayed close to me.

I asked her if she would like to go with me; I'd take a cab and it would drop me & then take her home. She agreed I went to progress to ask him for cab money, he was reluctant initially but he later gave me. He didn't know Emem was going with me until we were about to leave

I had a hidden agenda to convince Emem to stay over at my place, I greeted the guys & thanked them for a good time. Alcohol was already in my system & I needed someone to transfer all the energy & the sad emotions on. I walked out with Emem & progress was looking at us confused

We got outside, found a cab and we got in. It was quite late and we sat down at the back, the drive home was quite smooth and it left us in a romantic mood. I asked her if she would mind spending the night with me, she looked at me and smiled "You're a bad boy" she said "Okay"

I immediately knew that was the greenest line I could get; I brought out my hands & held hers, pulled her closer & whispered "Can I kiss you here?" "If you like" she replied I knew she was down for this so I decided to be patient, I picked up my phone to ping Zik's brother

When we got to the gate I saw him standing and waiting; "correct man" I thought to myself, we got down paid the cab man and went inside. "Everybody dun sleep?" I asked Chuks and he said yes, I briefly introduced Emem to him as my "colleague" and went straight to my BQ

As we got inside my room put on the fan and dressed my bed, I opened my laptop & the email from the company was still opened. I angrily closed that tab & went straight to my James Blunt collection to set the mood with nice songs. I looked back & Emem was in the bathroom already

Few minutes later she comes out with just my towel on, she points to the bathroom and ask if I would like to join her. I didn't say anything; I immediately pulled my clothes and went into the bathroom with her. Song was playing, bath was going on & the Mekwe mood was here again

"I like u, you're sharp unlike progress" she said as I moved close, I wanted to ask her if she mekwed with progress but I wasn't going to spoil the mood. We did some bathroom romance started the Mekwe there; I transferred all the anger to Emem, she started to scream & I was like I didn't want her to wake my hosts with her soundtrack, the clarion call was obeyed & I felt relieved. I kept telling myself that I needed loosen up & not apply too much pressure on myself that this job will come. Early the next day I discharged Emem & promised to call her later

Fast forward.. Few days later I got an invite from one of the Oil servicing companies in Lagos inviting me for an interview, I called Zik to inform him & I packed my bags to leave for Lagos. I packed most of my things in case I got the job, I informed progress & the other guys.

i informed Zik's parents & siblings about my interview, I thanked them for their hospitality & left for Lagos the next day. I got to Lagos late in the night & went home, my interview was in 2 days so I took my time to prepare. While I was at home I got a call from Emem "Hello!"

"So you went to Lagos without telling me?" Emem said to me, I apologized to her and told her it was impromptu. She then told me that her sister (Iniobong) was in Lagos and I should meet her sister. I agreed to meet Iniobong but I had to prepare for my interview. The D day came!

I got to the office in Lekki and met with the HR team, they set a test for me and I wrote the test. After about an hour i was called for an interview and I went in. The interview was intense but I managed scale through, the HR team asked me to go & expect feedback ASAP via email

Fast forward... The next day I got an email telling me that I wasn't selected for the role, I was so sad & just layed down thinking. I kept wondering if I was useless in real life, I wondered if Mekwe could be the cause of my problem so I promised myself to stay away from mekwe!

Following day I got a call from an unknown number, I picked to see who it was & it was a female voice who introduced herself as Iniobong. "Oh Hi" She said her sister told her about me, I wanted to ask her what Emem said about me but that was none of my business. "Where are u?"

I told here where I was staying & luckily wasn't far away, we agreed to meet up over lunch and I hung up. Two days later I met up with Iniobong and we got talking, she told me that she was a fresh graduate too but she does business for now. "Really?" "What kind of business?"

She said she was a seller on DealDey, Jumia & Payporte & that she made up to N100,000 monthly. I became interested, I thought if she could make that amount then I could make better. She told me how to become a vendor online & I signed up on the websites on the spot! "No time"

I thanked her for the insight and left, I promised to see her soon. So I went to see my guy who is a photographer at Allen Avenue, the best photographer in Ikeja @sheikh_enoboi I told him about this new idea. He encouraged me to do it & by the following week I started selling

I decided to sell female fashion items and sex toys, I knew they would do well and by the following week I started getting orders Instead of using delivery companies I delivered the items myself to save money, I was beginning to make money and could now pay some of my bills

One day I got an order for a handbag which I placed online, the buyer was located at Ikeja GRA which was not too far from me at the point. I decided to go deliver the bag since I had one unit with me, I called the buyer & she told me she was at home. I told Enoboi & left for GRA

I got to the address & called the customer, she came outside and saw me standing with the bag. "Are you the delivery man? & how come you came so fast?" She asked "I'm the seller & I like to deliver on time" I brag, we talked a bit then she asked me to come in to collect money

We got in and she gave me the money, I thanked her and was about to leave when she stopped me to ask a question "Out of curiosity, is this what you do full time?" I told her that I just started because I was tired of waiting for a job, she asked for my field & I told her. Hmm. She told me she was the Head of Supply Chain in her organization but she's currently on leave, she gave me her email forward my CV to. I thanked her & left, when I got home I sent my CV to her and hoped for the best. Few days later I was called for an interview. I got the Job!!

The next day I got call, I checked my phone to see who it was. Progress "Congratulations Uche" Thank you Oboy connect me na Dem dun sack you from PH? Guy forget that job na packaging I been dey do, no be full time job na contract staff

I told him I'll try but warned him to stop living a lie so that people can help him. "No be my fault me sef been wan feel among, I no go lie again" progress said. I told him it was fine, so I got home & picked my phone to call Iniobong. I told her the news "Wow!" "I'm happy!"

The next day I got a call from Emem, I remembered I hadn't given her the full news so I started to apologise for not calling earlier. She said it was okay, that Iniobong told her about it. She also said Iniobong told her I had been reluctant to visit. "Ehen?" Ok I'll visit her

I called Ini to thank her again for everything, I asked her if I could visit her so that we could celebrate together "That's a great plan" she said. I told her I'd be there that evening and I went to shower to go visit her. Few hours later, I got to her house. "I'm outside"

Iniobong came outside to get me, she hugged me and we went inside. She expressed her happiness towards the news of my new job, I thanked her for it and she went to bring me some food. She had cooked afang soup & eba, I knew there was no way in the world I would go home that day

"I hope you would eat?" She asked "Seriously?" "Is she really asking me if I would Eat?" I tried to maintain my logo and nodded in acceptance, she brought the food and I wasted no time on pouncing on it. I had barely taken 3 moulds of eba when she came with a cold beer

Fast forward... I finished eating and drinking my beer, it was already about 9pm in the night and I told her I wanted to leave. "Why are you running away na, wouldn't you sleep?" Iniobong asked. "Well, I usually don't like sleeping outside so u have to promise me a good time"

She looked at me and smiled; "You know Emem told me a few things about u" I knew that this was another case of transshipment but I didn't even bother, I made up my mind to embark on this mekwe trip before I resume work the following week. Few minutes later, Lord of mekwe appear

I swore that this mekwe was going to be my last, it would be a tribute mekwe; to all the frustrations, rejections, depressions and anger I felt while searching for a job. I turned my back to look at Ini and all i saw was a well-shaped daughter of Jezebel. "Chooiii!!" I screamed

She was more endowed than her sister, I looked at more and became confused. I just went straight to the bed to lie down; "Take me away, I'm all yours" I said to Iniobong. She smiled, walked to the door and shut it. Curtains closed.. Brothers and Sisters Mekwe!!!

That was how it all went down and I resumed work the following week, in less than a month I forgot about all the struggles I went through to get the job. I forgot about Emem and Iniobong and started living a normal life like I had always wanted.

Post NYSC depression is real and young graduates should learn not to put so much pressure on themselves. Thanks for reading Please retweet for others and try to reply using the hashtag #StoryTimeWithUche For sponsorship and advert placement please DM me THE ENDhttps://twitter.com/UchennaNG/status/955847580692484101