How participating in BSN/NYSC Essay Competition changed my life- Manasseh David
Tashi Manasseh David, a former corps member, who took part in the 2023 edition of the annual National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Essay Competition organised by The Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), has commended the organisation for the tremendous impact the competition has had on his life.
“I am happy to share that the competition has exposed me to a lot of opportunities that helped in my personal and spiritual development. The essay has ignited the creativity, innovation, and change maker in me. It has reordered my life ever since I participated in the competition, I noticed significant advancements and progress in my life.
“One of them is my participation in the presidential mentorship retreat initiated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta where he put together 50 emerging young African leaders and mentored them on transformational leadership and green economy. During the call for applications, the experience I gained at the BSN/NYSC Essay Competition was helpful. I applied as a Civic leader who provides civic solutions to Nigerian civic problems through the essay writing competition. In that retreat, I met different African leaders who are solving global problems in their communities.
“Another one is my participation in the inaugural cohort of the decision-making under deep uncertainties by the PADI Grant, USA which was facilitated by the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. This training has helped me as a young policy maker in my community to come up with a robust decision-making model to solve policy problems in my community.
“Another one is that it has enhanced my project management skills. I am happy to say that one of the prizes I got was a fully funded management course at the Nigerian Institute of Management where I enrolled for the course and was certified as a member of the Institute. I got a proficiency management certificate which launched me into the next opportunity where I had to manage a programme for Ecosystem Sustainability Network, an NGO, in Abuja. The project was fully funded by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Abuja.
“I got a paid volunteering role with the NGO I am managing a project for as a Project Officer. All these opportunities and more were possible through my participation at the NYSC Essay Competition. When I was submitting my entry for the BSN/NYSC Essay Competition, I never knew it would fetch a lot of opportunities for me. I want to appreciate the BSN under the leadership of Pastor Samuel Sanusi for the management and leadership books given to me as part of the prizes. Those books have added value to me, and I am grateful for this opportunity. I sincerely pledge my support for the BSN.
Tashi David, who hails from Nasarawa State, studied Mass Communication at the University of Jos and served in the NYSC programme in Gusau, Zamfara state from where he took part in the annual BSN/NYSC Essay Competition in 2023.