CHAPTER 21: MY DECISIONS AT THE SERVICE
After my graduation in August 2018, our results weren't summited on time to the senate council for approval, and that caused a little delay in my NYSC registration. In October 2018, I did my NYSC registration and was posted to Sokoto State to serve my country Nigeria.
(MUM'S POV)
During my preparations to depart, my mum sat me down. She said "You know you are going to a northern land? Yes …..Mum, I responded in agreement. You have to be careful and prayerful. And secondly, be open-minded to suitors. Don't let them know that you have a boyfriend...
" what! No way…. I yelled.
I have told you. Be wise she said and left for the night's rest.
**
With my research about the state, Sokoto is a major city located in extreme northwestern Nigeria, near the confluence of the Sokoto River and the Rima River Sokoto lacks a public transport system. Transport within the city (when not by foot) is mainly by mopeds which operate as one-person taxis and sometimes tricycles transport persons from one place to the other; this allows for carriage of more than one person at a time (still at a cheap price as mopeds). Buses and taxis are infrequent and are generally used only for transport between cities and it takes two days to get to Sokoto state from Delta state. That means I have to break my journey by lodging at any In in Abuja to continue my journey the next day.
On my departure, I saw over five different states. Though, the journey wasn't an easy one because I was occupied with the thoughts of the discussion I had with my mum and also viewing the landmarks and signposts of different states.
**
On getting to the camp for the three weeks of training, I saw a large population of corpers from different states. Some are on the parade ground with drummers playing beautifully. They are all putting on colorful green and white khaki standing firmly and singing the NYSC anthem;
'Youth obey the clarion call
Let us lift our nation high
Under the sun and in the rain
With dedication and selflessness
Nigeria is ours...Nigeria we serve
We were also put on notice. There are some military men with the camp commandant addressing the corpers, while some corpers are just coming in like I was. I was feeling euphoric then i went ahead for my registration and was given my uniform as well. I joined the parade group in my platoon. I belong to Platoon 7.
Three weeks of camping was so tedious and fun, especially going through with the Nigerian army military men and man-o- drilling. By 5:00 am, we are up to be in the parade ground. We were addressed by the camp commandant and started up our morning routine exercise. Breakfast follows immediately then comes in lectures and SAED classes, lunch and rest was been observed. The aspect I loved too was the parade that comes next. I was one of those that paraded for my platoon. Dinner comes in and socials and this was another interesting part of the three weeks camp. The socials includes a welcoming party, platoon drama, platoons dance competitions, Miss Camp and Mr macho pageant, and lastly, Light Out! This was when everyone have to go for a night's rest. The routine kept cycling.
There is a volleyball court as well. I also joined the volleyball team in my platoon because I was good at sports. That was my first time playing volleyball. I met new friends and I was so popular because of my skills and also, as the volleyball team leader known as captain.
I was so carried away with fun especially with the different platoons and inter- platoons competitions then I heard my phone ringing out loud. Who's is calling as I thought within.
Oh! It's Jerry. I can't pick up now. I have been ignoring Jerry's calls lately and giving him excuses because I wanted to yield to my mum's advice. His mother has been calling lately, but I responded as if everything was ok between his son and I. Peroratively; I can attest that Jerry hasn't informed her lately of my attitude I thought to myself. This was another privileged for me to mingle with others I thought within.
After the three-week camping, we were posted to our various PPA. I was posted to the capital of Sokoto state which is also known as Sokoto. The capital is so beautiful. They have good roads with flyovers with not many industries. They have different banks with large markets and they are good with Agriculture. My primary assignment was to lecture at Shehu Shagari College of Education in the agric unit. So I lectured their 300-level students as an assistant lecturer. My CDS was volleyball. With all these, I was also a church staff in my church.