Good Evening Buddies....... Hope you had an exuberant day?
If you have ever gone for NYSC orientation camp before, you’ll understand when I say that nothing fully prepares you until you enter there with your two legs. My own experience in Iseyin, Oyo State. Nigeria0 was a mixture of wahala to be frank with you, full of laughter, stress, and joy all wrapped together.
Let's start from the first day when l boarded a car to Iseyin with my Luggage, the journey was stressful due to the road that was bad. At last, l got to the camp finally, as l was carrying luggage into the camp, reality set in. Soldiers no dey smile at all, they were at alert. My luggage was searched thoroughly thinking they might find ay form of exhibit in it but fortunately, there was nothing like that and I was allowed to enter into the camp. Seriously, the atmosphere was different seeing Borehole water in every corners of the camp, descriptions poles were in place to guide us to our hostels, everywhere were powered by electricity and all that can not be mentioned.
Early morning the following day, trumpet go wake you before 5am, whether you like am or not. Drills under the hot sun, long queues for food seriously that was not part of it at all infact before you can have your food, a tally food were given to each and everyone of us. If your tally book was not with you, you won't be given food because they marked tally book once you have collected your own food and also another thing is those endless registrations that can tire anybody. At first, I was complaining and nagging seriously, but as days goes and come, the body just adapted to it, you understand now, as an hustle guy.
The amazing part was the people. Infact guys, l met a lots of guys and ladies (Guys and Ladies) from different parts of Nigeria, l mean different tribes: Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, and even people with different culture, it was superb. We all became like family inside that camp. We all laughed together during social nights, shouted during parades, and also we were all divided into different platoons, l was in platoon 3 which i helped my platoon to beat a drum during cultural competition, although we didn't win the competition but l made a contribution for the success of my platoon. Seriously, It reminded me that despite all our differences, Nigerians still get that spirit of unity when we come together.
Iseyin itself gave me a sweet vibe and delicacy. The town was calm, the locals were friendly, and the food chai, oh my gosh!! Oyo amala with their gbegiri and ewedu made me feel at home quickly i swear buddies. It was a great memory for me because that would be my first time of eating amala with gbegiri soup. l love the aroma of the soup.
At the end of the orientation, I realized it wasn’t just about “serving Nigeria.” It was about building resilience, forming bonds with strangers who turned to friends, and discovering a new place with its own charm. lnfact till today, I still remember those days and smile, we only spent 3 weeks for the orientation programme before we were been posted of our different PPA (Place of Primary Assignment) for one year service (Mandatory) before we can be given certificate at the end of NYSC period which signify that we have served our father's land wholehearted . Infact, NYSC camp in Iseyin taught me patience, endurance, and the joy of belonging to something bigger than myself.