Beauty beyond your imagination

I received my posting letter and was firstly disappointed because I got Ondo state thinking it was Lagos. I was confused first, seeing Ikare-Akoko, NYSC orientation camp but was deployed to Lagos-My expectation was Iyana-Ipaja but I was disappointed. Well, I had been preparing for it, got everything i had to take along to the camp. Ondo is a 7-hour drive from Lagos. I like to be comfortable when travelling, boarded a Camry car to Akure park. I embarked on another 2-hour drive in a rickety bus within the state. Approximately that is sum up of 9 hours, was famished, exhausted from this hectic long ride that seems like it was not ending.
I got to the orientation camp, saw a queue, so I just joined it anyway. Hand sanitiser was something you needed to have if you wanted to be attended to.

The nose swab PCR test for COVID was
a little uncomfortable, it shouldn’t be painful.
And on the plus side, it only takes a few seconds. It felt like I had gotten catarrh to my nose and consequently elicits tears and coughing were the side effects for me.
So, if you didn’t feel anything, it means the test probably wasn’t done right. Everyone I came in contact with, complained. Luggage was seriously scrutinized in case of any exhibits. Electronic gadgets, knives, and some kind of key holders weren’t allowed. They were seized right there at the gate.
Started my registration but wasn’t able to complete it until in the morning.  I did everything the following day, I was allocated to Platoon 2, which happens to be my family in camp where everyone is to work together.
The camp was regimented, we also had the presence of Soldiers from the Nigerian Army and Man O War personnel who were very friendly and ensured absolute discipline.

Every morning, the soldiers woke us up with bugle by 5 am. We had to hurry and dress up before they came to drive us out. You’ll be hearing soldiers shouting with their deep voices, ‘Are you walking down here? Come on, double up! double up! ‘ ‘What’s double up? ‘you might be asking yourself right now. It means, ‘You better start running down here! .. We gathered for morning devotions where the Christians and Muslims prayed at their designated places together for like an hour. After that, we would jog and do man-o-war drills for another hour breakfast followed and then lectures from various professional bodies as well as Skill Acquisition Class. NYSC has a program that opens individuals to learning various skills within the camp and after which is called Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED). I did gele typing during my SAED training.

Lunchtime is 2 pm daily and after that, we take rest until its time for evening parade which starts by 4 pm. From 5 pm evening games commences and ends by 6:30 pm. social activities held in the camp were Mr. & Miss NYSC, cultural display every evening, the Carnival, debate, fashion designing, cooking competition, games final and the PARADE! The parade is a beautiful aspect of the Orientation camp because it stretches individuals to pay attention to uniformity and consistency; the uniformed movement makes it a great delight. NYSC was not boring to me, was engaged in OBS- Orientation Broadcasting Service, Drama, kitchen volunteer, and NCCF- Nigerian Christian Coper Fellowship. 

I wanted to join the band but time was my limiting factor, one of my highlights every evening was the service in NCCF, they provided free charging for the corps members. My survival technique is joining the OBS crew. As part of the crew, we had an ID card which served as immunity against soldiers and parades. During programs like swearing-in, I was seated under the pavilion all in the name of OBS, while my fellow corps members were sweating in the sun.
Camp food is not your thing, trust me. Come with enough money to eat in mamma, I spent 500 Naira on meals. Come prepared, with lots of money. The hostel sockets are not working, except you patronise phone charging vendor for fifty naira. Come with a power bank, it’s a lifesaver. I saw coming to Ondo state as a homecoming, never been here before. It was an opportunity to travel outside Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan and Osun state.
One thing I cherished most was the gift of friendship and meeting new people. It’s not a waste of time but a vacation to chill.
You want to know something I slept a lot in the after morning activities and lectures.
However, the place gets very cold during cool seasons cause it’s situated at a high altitude on the hills. Do well to go in lots of sweaters so you don’t catch a cold!

NYSC camp is not the most fun place to be, but with an open mind and the right attitude, it’s not also as difficult as people might make it seem. I  will never forget my experience here, Sleeping By 10 PM waking up by 4 am. The”double-up” by the soldiers. The drilling by the Man O War. The early morning parade and the never-ending boring lectures. But, the toilet and bathroom conditions need to be improved, they should stop managing water biko! State Government, I call on you if u see this.
And I crushed on some people but I didn’t find love, ehn… Sad story! I guess I find it soon.
Thanks for reading, share your Nysc story with me.