CHRONICLES OF MY NYSC DAYS EPISODE 2

 

MY NYSC STORY

EPISODE 2 

Life in camp…

Life in camp was fun, amazing and beautiful. If I were asked to relive the moments again, I actually wouldn’t try it. The shege choke😂😂😂. Come with me! This episode will be longgggggg!

The face of the woman who searched my bags was as hard as the mountains I mentioned in the first episode. I struggled with my loads as I proceeded to submit necessary certifications for registration. 

The worst part was where we were asked to do the Covid test. I was afraid. I had been reasoning how I’d scale through this test more than how I anticipated my journey in camp. I mean, how will I sit and let them pass that needle or whatever it is, through my nose, down to my brain? I’ve heard experiences from different people whose eyes were red for days while some suffered from Catarrh. It was my turn. I sat down and leaned backwards. Within 30 seconds, we were done! The only thing I felt was a little amount of water gathering around my eyes. Nothing like red eyes or catarrh. We move!!

The hostels were so far from the main gate! My baggage wasn’t even going easy on me. A whole me, carrying a potty alongside my loads😂😂. Chill, I’ll explain. When I got to Plateau, I thought that I couldn’t share toilets with thousands of girls and I wasn’t sure it was in good condition so I got the potty. However, it didn’t even make it to my room.

When we finally got to the hostels, we met the attendants who showed us the way, however they seized my potty😭😭😭. 

“So, you think we don’t have a standard toilet that’s why you bought a potty. Bring it here.” One of the hostel attendants commanded with her unfiltered northern accent and big bombom. 

And that was the end of my potty. 

Though it pained me, I was glad that I was able to quickly signal the girl approaching us to hide her potty.

The hostel was very spacious and I got a good bed since I got to camp really early. I and Jennifer, my friend who we journeyed together from Lagos, made sure to pick good spaces and settle in.

As I unpacked, I called my family members to inform the about my arrival. “Settle in, observe the place and decide if you’ll be staying in Jos for a year” Dad advised. I took a deep breath and muttered; “God, let Your will be done”.  Before I let it become a burden, I told myself I was going to have my best time in camp.

I had my bath and changed into mofty so I could proceed with camp registration and finally get my khaki; what I’ve always dreamt of! 

The hall was very big. Different prospective Corp Members like myself were also there for the same thing. I got my tag and I was the 1,668 PCM in camp. This also meant that I was in Platoon 8. I located our stand and got my khaki, boots and the likes. 

I was tired at this point, all I needed was good sleep. The white shorts I was given was very fitting and smart. When last did I wear an all-white? I was feeling so fly by this time.

I settled into the bed to finally have my good sleep when I heard whistles blowing from a distance. I paid less attention as it could mean anything. The whistles kept getting realer. Guys, female soldiers came into the hostels to chase us out with so much energy. I was even trying to explain to this lady that I just came and… Omo! She shut me up! 

I sha managed to step out. 

“Run! You guys are still walking abi! See as this one be like elephant”, the lady shouted at me. Was I pained? Yes, but I had no option. I dragged myself to the field. The field was massive. It looked like a potential stadium; there was a stage where the commentators and dignitaries could sit, the big hall where I did my registration, and behind it was the mammy market. There were also surrounding buildings that included offices of camp staff and also hostels for staff.

It was the soldiers’ show off for me!  See them effortlessly and artistically swiping their feet to the left, to the right, forward, backwards and even 360!!  See them teaching us how to march and expecting us to get it immediately; something that took them tests of training to master. 

Besides, this wasn't even military stuff, it’s just NYSC Camping. Who told them I was interested? PCMs were still few in camp so we weren’t much on the field which was called the “Parade Ground”.

The fun part of this day was seeing my fellow Unilorites and other familiar faces.

The camp timetable was crazy. All PCMs must be at the parade ground by 4am or so for devotion and other announcements. No one was to go inside their hostels until 10pm or so. It was simply annoying. What was more annoying was the fact that the devotion was like a secondary school assembly ground. 

For the first time in my life, I realized that excess cold could make people faint. I thought it was only the sun? See people fainting due to the cold! My very thick cardigan couldn’t suffice. You know what was even worse? It was harmattan season. 

My dream finally came through, I joined the OBS Team. Not just as a Team member, but the Vice President (let me brag small). 

How did this happen? So it happened that day after one of the many devotions, our leaders asked us to volunteer into any of the teams in camp. We had the kitchen department, sports, those who wanted to be Miss NYSC, those who would join the band, etc. 

I was keen on building myself and recognition as a writer. Our OBS interviewed us all, chose us and then asked us to volunteer for the President and VP role. When the president role was taken, I was still thinking about it. I immediately put my hand up for the VP role; I and a few ladies, but I got the role shaaaaa. Don’t eat in the media room, create a schedule of your daily deliverables, create a WhatsApp group. She sternly gave us some rules. “I’ll drop my WhatsApp number” she added. 

Immediately she left, I was left with my fellow team members. We created a schedule of everyone’s tasks and likewise introduced ourselves and divided ourselves into teams. We had the Videography/Photography team, Broadcasting team, Writing/Editing team, etc. you already know where I belong. 

Let’s move to the part we both know you’ve been waiting for. 

Whether or not I was in love with this guy, I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that I was getting attached. I saw him everyday, in a confined space (THE NYSC CAMP.) But I felt like it was unfair to the person who currently had my heart😂😂. Obinrin!! But it wasn’t my fault tho! This guy was effortlessly there for me. I remember when I visited mammy market (the one and only place in camp where corpers purchase food, clothes, charge phones, etc) to get tea. The weather was deadly cold and I needed some Nescafé that morning, so I went to mammy. I got it and was at the verge of collecting it, I didn’t know it wasn’t properly closed, that’s how this thing poured on my bare, soft, chubby fine hands. Worst part was that I could drop it on impulse, and watch it spill on other people; I also didn’t want it to waste 😂. I really can't imagine the pain of those who have suffered from one fire accident or the other…

I held in the pain and looked for the closest table to dump the cup of tea on. I almost sparked when this girl shouted at me for letting the tea spill on her cloth. Can you imagine? And it was just a droplet o…on her cloth, not her skin. Can’t you see I’m racking with pain here? I angrily told her and left for the OBS studio. I just sat in front of the studio and started crying. I was wearing a face mask and cap but I wonder how this guy knew I was crying. It wasn’t just about the spilled tea; it was about the whole stress. Traveling down on my period, settling in, camp stress. He wiped my tears and told me it would be fine. We also got food together most times and yeah, it felt like big brother’s house. There was a spark between us, but I couldn’t push further. 

When I got into camp I decided that I’d do more of social activities unlike my University days where it was strictly church. Does this mean I didn’t attend services in camp? No! In fact, the evening services blessed me and I loved the family song especially… it made feel nostalgic about my RCF undergraduate days. But this time around, I wanted to be more social. I made good friends and blended well during SAED Classes (although I only went three times). How was that possible? Well that’s what happens when you are in the OBS team. I simply joined SAED from my OBS corner. No soldier to pester me when I press my phone, no Man O’ War to wake me if I fall asleep. Don’t laugh at that picture 😂😂.

I don’t believe in love at first sight… but I do believe in attraction at first sight and then with further steps from both parties, it can result into love. I didn’t take those further steps, I mean I wasn’t ready to be in a dilemma so it ended in attraction. 

As I counted down to my remaining days in camp, I prayed to God for one thing; let my redeployment back to Lagos work out. If there’s one thing I love about myself, it’s being clear about what I want and taking pertinent steps to achieve my goals. I saw my next one year in Lagos, not Plateau state.

Going to camp, I got monetary gifts from family and friends. I took a churn of it to sort out my redeployment and likewise feed myself in camp. I wasn’t ready to depend on their food or any potential boyfriend. 

Have I told you about the food in Mangu camp? Well, it was very good and so Northernish. There were weird combos soometimes. I mean, who eats bread, boiled egg and Tea?😂 But the porridge was always a banger, I give it to them!

Everyday gave me a conviction to stay in camp but this day in particular made the feeling more intense. It was my Platoon’s Drilling day😂. I was so excited. We were now Corp Members instead of Prospective Corp Members (PCMs). I remember how proud of myself I felt. 

I said to myself: “Dear Esther, your dreams came through finally, you are wearing this uniform at last!” The journey to wearing the uniform wasn’t easy. Adjusting it to fitness, ironing it and all. Let’s not even go over the whole process of getting to camp. 

I put on my 7/7 proudly and joined my fellow Platoon 8 Corp Members. The Man O’ War guys were annoyingly proud but I guess it comes with the uniform. I did lots of activities; I entered the tyre, climbed the rope and ladder, but the most painful part was wrapping my legs round a thick single rope, placing all my weight on it and then moving down. I thought my laps would tear! It wasn’t even easy for the chubbier and unfit people. The funniest part was entering the tyres, some people didn’t even bother 😂😂.

Overall, it was an amazing experience; I mean, I have seen online posts and pictures from predecessors. It was now my turn to experience it. The amazing part was that I didn’t fail to capture these moments in pictures either! 

Everyday in camp got older; it was becoming unbearable but the activities made me love the atmosphere. The Miss NYSC competition (these girls came prepared ooo, see the clothes, shoes and blings!), Mr. Macho (this was quite irritating for me; the guys robbed oil to look sexier and wore really tight pants! Ewww), Drama presentation (where I acted so well and people forgot my real name and started calling me by my stage name; Gabby😂), the dance, the cultural day, it was all so enjoyable!

But my highlight was the  Christmas Carol Service, especially because the OBS Team was involved. In fact, I acted as Mary, the mother of Jesus 😂😂.  It was quite draining for me but was unbearable when two things happened to me one particular day of rehearsal. A higher director watched us after about 6 times of rehearsals and she said:

 “Where did you guys get this Mary from? I wonder what she’s acting. It’s too late to change her, well, let’s just manage this one we have”. 

I spent days rehearsing; just for this woman to tell me this. The worst part was that we were left to sort out costumes on our own. In that bad mood after rehearsals, I headed to my hostel and was holding my cap. That’s how a soldier told me to join others at the parade ground, I didn’t even know the offence I had committed.

I obediently joined them, but in tears. It felt so embarrassing sitting under the hot sun, on the bare, sandy and red floor (now I had to wash my shorts again).

 “I don’t even know what I did wrongly, I was coming from rehearsals and he asked me to sit on the bare floor of the parade ground”😪 

I said In shameful tears. When was the last I cried? No, this camp was getting tiring. The previous day, a soldier tapped me on the head because I was cheering those who were performing during social night. The other night, my bucket was seized because I was washing beside my bed late at night (I was actually wrong here). It took me 24 hours to get my things back. 

“Sorry, this is camp; we’ll be released soon”. 

One of my acquaintances consoled me. Shortly after, we were released. But my prayers were not with the Camp Commandant at all o. 

Well, Christmas Carol came and went. It was an amazing experience! Our stage performance was the bang! The highlight of it for me was the OBS crew rallying round to get money for our show and the team. How did I forget the radio show by the OBS crew? 

So, out of our mind blowing initiatives for the team, we had this show every evening, where you would give a shout-out to someone special. If the person is in camp, you’d pay 100, while outside camp was 200. Affordable right? People were breezing in and out! See love confessions within 14 days In camp! Just like Big Brother’s house 😂😂. The show was a blast and I fell in love with everyone in the OBS Team.

At least, happy memories like this kept me away from the boredom in camp and nervousness I felt whenever I thought about my redeployment.

After so much countdown, the last day of camping was here. It was so emotional for me based on two grounds; I was getting attached to Mangu and the few friends I had made. Secondly, it was the day where I’d know if my redeployment worked. Everyone was rolling out their boxes to the parade ground arena; and it was quite emotional for me. I packed every single thing I brought to camp and donated the ones I obviously should such as buckets, rubber foot wears and the likes. 

I was shaking from the studio where I sat; it was time to check where I’ve been posted to… The last time I felt this way was when I waited for the graduating list, back then in Unilorin. 

The whole place was crowded, there was no space to breathe. Everyone wanted to check their names. Some girls were giggling; they obviously didn’t see their names on the list, which meant that their redeployment worked.

I struggled in their midst to locate my name. For the first time in my life, I prayed that my name wouldn’t appear on a list. Guess what guys? I was posted to Jos South. My name was on the list! I couldn’t even react. All I knew was that I wasn’t going to let NYSC decide my fate. I get to choose what I want. 

I needed this redeployment badly! I couldn’t stay in Plateau for a year. How about family? I needed to kick start my career! I had a job waiting for me in Lagos. I had passed the first stage of the interview which was virtual while in camp. Oops! I didn’t tell you I got a PPA? Well I did. 

How everything unfolded was an intentional miracle. Psalm 23 became my testimony. 

Let’s drop the pen here. This and more would be continued in Episode 3.😍