As an undergraduate in Nigeria, participating in the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is really necessary. Shortly after the second semester examination, Agric Tech students of Yabatech were placed at various farms so they could participate in the SIWES program which would help broaden their knowledge about their course of study. However, half way into the program there have been mixed reactions as touching SIWES; different students with different opinions. Check them out bellow.
“It is nice participating in SIWES because I have learnt so much about feed formulation, poultry and catfish production. By the way; living in the same house with people exhibiting different characters have enabled me to learn about understanding one another and being conscious of the human psychology before taking any action. The whole scenario reminds me of Big Brother Africa if I may add. These days I tend to be more inquisitive; considering the fact that the manager at the farm where I was placed asks questions before signing my log book every week, and he expects I and my colleagues to reciprocate the gesture. There have been ups and downs, but all the same we thank God. I have also been privileged to meet the former Permanent Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture. SIWES has been revealing. There are some things I know about some people now, which I never knew before.” – Ibegbunam Ifeanyi
“I enjoy working at the big pen because I have learnt so many things pertaining to diseases that affect chickens. Now I know the procedures involved when picking eggs. I have learnt what cause mortalities and how to prevent it.” – Azeezat Sakarayau
“SIWES has been tough since the first day we started. We have not really enjoyed a lot” – Bukola Shodeinde
“SIWES has been interesting and my best moment has been packing of poultry waste. I have no regrets going for the program.” – Halimat Adeyemi.
“SIWES has been like enslavement to me, but I have learnt a bit. If I had packed poultry wastes and droppings, I wouldn’t want it to happen again, but thank God I did not pack it.” – Biola Majaro
“SIWES has been great to me and for some reason I have been keeping to myself. And my loneliness tends to make some people angry. My best moment here is when me and my colleagues atend churches to sing. And my worst moments are the times when there is no food.” – Henry Momoh
“I recall when I was asked to assist in carrying chicks from the deep litter to the battery cage system. I had to carry two chicks by their leg on each hand. With time, it increased to 6, then 8. At a time it was 10. For 3 solid hours we carried chicks to the pen. My hands ached throughout the night. SIWES has been stressful but good. There was a day I kept chasing a chicken around the farm. Hilarious!” - Chima Nkiru
“My best moment here in SIWES was when I spoke to a friend I have been keeping malice with. Actually I have been longing to talk to him in a long while. I have learnt a lot. Most especially, I have learnt to speak my mind and what I feel exactly. There was a time a chicken laid an egg on my palm. The egg was hot and I love eating it raw.” – Bidemi Ogunmuyiwa.
“SIWES has been so challenging and to be candid it has not been easy. The most hilarious moment in the house was when one of our colleagues (Adedotun Awe) was wearing his pant/shorts as though it were a G-String and pacing up and down in the room.” – Aboluwade T.J
“SIWES has been fun to me but sometimes I feel down-heartened because of lack of co-operation between me and my colleagues a times, including me. I know I mess up sometimes, notwithstanding we are still good. I regret packing poultry dung. And I have had something that can be likened to a crush on a female colleague. Apart from the agricultural knowledge which I have acquired, I have learned other things like how to cook. My happiest moment is when I was at the beach, swimming.” – Adedotun Awe
“I have been able to live with people from different backgrounds, tribes and come together as one big family. I have learnt a lot about poultry management. I now know the differences between layers and broilers. I have learnt a lot about their Feed Formulation. I have learnt about hatching in Catfish production.” - Elijah Affiah.
“SIWES has been awful because it looks stressful than it was said to be. My happiest moment here is when we are eating egg. I have learnt a lot such as debeaking and vaccination.” – Tomisin Oke.
“SIWES has been fun. My best moment is when I participated in debeaking and my worst moment is when I packed poultry manure.” – Maorufat
“I have not really enjoyed SIWES. However, I have learnt about the diseases that affect the birds and fishes. I won’t forget when my face was almost burnt during an environmental sanitation. Some part of my beard and teddy disappeared immediately after the incident.” – Michael Dickson.
“I have learnt a lot since I have been here, but the worst experience is the food aspect. I cannot eat what I feel like eating. I had to succumb to the opinion of majority. I have learnt a lot. I have learnt how to take care of the chicks. I have learnt how to rear fish from start to finish.” – Balikis Badmus
