MY CAMP EXPERIENCE

At that point,my heart felt like it had stopped and my mouth was left ajar. I had just logged into the NYSC(National Youth Service Corps) official website anxious and not knowing what to expect since I registered late.During my first registration, I got an exemption letter which is like the name implies, an exemption from NYSC. It took me 2weeks and a few days before I realized my records on their system had 1964 as my year of birth.(Ikr). Finally my Call-Up Letter was ready. As the page fully opened, my eyes fell right on the STATE OF DEPLOYMENT: JIGAWA STATE. Actually, I had invested so much time praying about my NYSC year. For some reason I was at peace.The strange thing was that Jigawa was not even part of the 4 states I picked during my registration. In any case, I wasn't  going all the way there without doing my research.Well,I discovered that from Lagos to Jigawa by road was between 21-22 hours approximately. Then by air, there isn't a straight flight from Lagos to Jigawa, so it was 45minutes to Kano from Lagos and 2 hours from Kano to Jigawa.I didn't have to think twice about my options.Thank God for provision.

      

                                                      
                                                       THE ROAD TRIP

Fortunately for me, I started seeing answers to my prayers right from the airport. The lady that sat beside me on the plane was also deployed to Jigawa.We got a cab and off we went.The driver  decided to practice his speed racing skill with innocent children.There and then did I start learning Hausa fully."Kadan Kadan" "Kadan Kadan" driver!!!!! meaning "little by little driver. "Apparently, he was more interested in me being his second wife and telling me how he liked me and would want to marry me after my camp. He kept turning to look at the light skinned Igbo lady with brown eyes and paid little or no attention to his driving. Just when I thought I had had  enough, he swerved to the right and straight into a village."Heyyyyy God of David!!!!" I exclaimed. He decided to take that path because he didn't want the road safety men to stop him. He sped till we got to a dead end. Yes you read that right, a dead end.This guy didn't know where he was going but just followed anything that looked like a path. At that point I checked my phone and, of-course there was not even a single network bar on display. 
Honestly, a whole lot was running through my mind at that instance.We had to turn back till we found villagers. I saw chariots which was a popular means of transportation for them from my observation.While I enjoyed the adventure and sight seeing, I needed to be sure we got out of there ASAP. Thank goodness, in no time we got to General Yakubu Gowan NYSC Orientation Camp and Sports Center.Honestly, on getting to the camp, it was worth all the prior trouble.The facilities  there really impressed me.Thumbs up Jiggy Jiggy (Jigawa).

         

                                           

RAT RACE

"Madam, why are you just shunting!!!!!! said a crowd of obviously pained people, can't you queue like the rest of us?"

"Oga abeg make I come your front" and then the man moved with speed to the front of his friend just as he had pleaded to move to his front.

"Were you on the line gentle man?ehnnn, do you think it's because am a woman so you can just push me like that?" 

Honestly, the struggle was real.I saw a lot and heard too many things.The queue was extremely long and frustrating.So some people tried to shunt as much as they could.I heard too many arguments, and just wanted to get done with the registration process. There and then did I see some really appalling dispositions that made me question some people's statement of result.I rest my case. 



                                                      MY FUN MOMENTS

Immediately I completed my registration, I joined OBS where I doubled as a broadcaster and the programs manager . I had to find a niche for myself and decided to enjoy every moment in Jigawa. There were lots of  amazing people in camp. I also decided to accept my platoons request for me to contest for the miss bold and beautiful,which I obviously knew I didn't stand a chance of winning. My contenders were mighty in battle. In any case I had decided to try something new so I accepted the offer.The contest was in one word "Dramaful" if that word even exists.I tried the northern food "Tuwo."To wrap it all up. Jigawa in my opinion was all round fun for me. Sadly I knew I had to redeploy :-(

                                                    LIFE LESSONS
1. A place can't make it's people but it's people have the power to make of a place what they desire.
2. We learn great life lessons simply by observation.
3. If you don't stand for something,  you may as well fall for anything.Hold firm to your    principles no matter what it will cost you.
4. Be humble.
5. Let a smile on your face be that dress that covers your nakedness.
6. Silence is a powerful form of response.



                                                     THE END.....