I remember being terrified out of my wit on my way there, it was more or less like an exile,a death sentence, I kept reassuring myself that all will be well but I was trembling like a wet dog in the cold. My NYSC posting wasn't suppose to be like this, why North?!. Of all places I screamed in my mind. I prayed for any place but the north but yet I'm on my way to sokoto, one of the farthest Northern State known not only for its distance but also its severe weather condition.
Nevertheless, the plan was to stay there for the unavoidable 21 days orientation programme and find every possible means to relocate and escape back to the West, with this plan in mind I booked a bus for Corp members since I'm not privileged to book a flight like some rich folks.. Lols. I watched my parents with a long face through the window of the bus as it took off, my father who hated seeing me go off to some far away hostile land was almost in tears.
I had never been beyond Lagos, Ibadan and Ogun state ever in my entire life so sitting in a bus for 24 hours to Sokoto was beyond unbearable but despite the discomfort I bounded with fellow corpers in the bus, one of them became my close friend and luckily we were both posted to sokoto.
After a very long tiring drive, the bus driver stopped on the Niger bridge so we can feast our eyes on one of the longest river in Nigeria, I almost forgot the stress of the journey and was genuinely happy for that few minutes but good things hardly last long, soon we were back in the bus and on our way to hell.
Nobody told me Niger has the largest Landmark because we spent almost 10 hours driving within the state alone. It nearly drove me crazy,I had already lost hope when I heard the driver said we were in kebbi state, kebbi is the state before sokoto so I could hardly keep my excitement in check, I was so happy because the journey was almost over or so I thought till we spent another 5 hours driving within Kebbi.
Eventually we got to Sokoto very late in the evening of the second day and I was honestly surprised because what I saw was beyond my expectations, the good and sturdy roads, the street lights and so many other amazing things I didn't expect to see. On getting to camp late that night, I saw an orientation camp worthy to be called one and I realized I do not want to relocate anymore, the urge to stay away from my comfort zone(Home) for once in my life and be far away from home rushed into me like an adrenalin .
Source
My journey of 365 days in Sokoto started with extreme cold on camp but being human with the ability to adapt to any weather got me used to the extreme sokoto harmattan and when the cold turned to scorching hot sun and fierce heat I also survived despite the exaggerated extremity of the weather that forced so many to relocate without actually experiencing it themselves, the few that stayed and served in Sokoto realized even harsh weather can't break a youth's spirit.
I stayed and made memories with new and old friends, learnt the basic part of the language, ate the native delicacies, became friends with few indigenes, tour the town with my friends, visited the Sultan's palace and made many happy by putting smiles on their faces. Despite my uncertainty about Sokoto. It is without doubt a place I will forever cherish.
Once a Sokopa Always a Sokopa
