…And I became a Corps Member!
I have always been a lover of adventures; wandering and trying new things is my forte. Hurrah! A mandatory opportunity surfaced. It was a deployment to an unknown land within Nigeria under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, 2016 Batch ‘B’, Stream II.
My deployment was long overdue, according to many. Then, its arrival was well welcomed and ‘celebrated’.
Owing to many assignments that had beclouded my schedules while waiting, I joined the very early bus on the day the orientation camp was to open, with the hope of landing by afternoon to be able to do the needfuls – registration.
My sojourn was preceded by serious preparations. Though I had a few days to put things together in practice, a style synonymous with NYSC orientation camping and deployment, all was put into it.
Travelling the many hours’ journey was such a wonderful memory; at least I did what I loved doing. We, the prospective Corp members, journeyed through rough and potholes-ridden roads from Abeokuta to the entry point of Ondo State. But, our fate changed from that point on, as we were well embraced by a well dualised and constructed road network till we arrived in Edo State.
Without being sentimental, the road network between Edo and Ondo-Ore was quite impressive and highly motorable. The hitherto complainants cum apprehensive passengers on the Abeokuta part of the roads had a lovely time – some sleeping soundly while others chatted joyously.
Our source of joy, the excellent road network we enjoyed, was slightly affected in Edo State. No thanks to the terribly wrong road network. Having scaled a few states from the Gateway state, we arrived safely and soundly at Delta, Asaba, to be precise. We had a stopover to get some good food and relax.
Barely had we parked the car before we were swamped by traders and food sellers like bees seeking honey; they were hailing and greeting us by nearly the same chorus, “welcome corpers“. There, I became suspicious of the sudden royal treatment and reception we were accorded.
Meanwhile, we had no issues settling down, as most passengers we travelled with had complained of hunger.
Like hungry Lions, we all settled to see the menu list. But, as a conversant to a few Igbo meals, a selective one at that, I felt reluctant to make an order. There, my personal grudge arose.
A co-traveller and colleague back in the polytechnic, with whom I travelled, ordered semo. After seeing what he was served, I was fascinated, hoping to be convinced of the availability of a good meal, at least by sight. Don’t mind me. When I see good meals, I know one. After that, I followed suit, not knowing more was still in stock for me.
Having lived all my life in the Western part of Nigeria, I knew from the onset that it would take some time, if not a whole lot, to adjust to the way of the people in the East, particularly Enugu, where I was travelling. Like everyone in my shoes, the truth is that my life had been so configured to the norms, values, tradition and everything we do in the Yoruba land.
Based on that, I battled many unsavoury thoughts whilst preparing, and some of the reviews made it difficult for me to make an order when we arrived in Asaba.
I was served a wrap of semo and egusi soup, poorly sauced with a malnourished slaughtered meat; I wasn’t sure whether it was a cow or goat meat; I concluded it would not go for more than one hundred and Fifty Naira or Two Hundred, at most. But, there came a shocker. The same in which I got not more than 8 morsels from and the soup was for Three Hundred Naira!
Disgruntedly, the bill was settled, and I hurriedly left the place unsatisfied in the company of a host of others. At the same time, a few of my co-travellers scrambled for tom-tom sweet, complaining of irritation after the meal.
Many, I inclusive, settled for the roadside bush to relieve the burden of nature while a few others relaxed to their respective seats in readiness for the next phase of our trip. At least we had restocked our arsenals with a few morsels and all sorts. As unsatisfied as most of us were, I must tell you that meal took us beyond Anambra state. Does a person get a choice?
I am one person who would never do that kind of thing. But, in Nigeria today, many things are not how they should be. Unabated lawlessness has become a trend. That scenario lends credence to the famous maxim; “when the preferable is not available, the available becomes preferable”.
In one of my conversations with some friends days before my trip, I told them of my disagreement with those who believe nothing is working well in Nigeria. The inquisitive ones sought to know why I said so; I told them corruption, insecurity, bombing and arrays of illegal acts are examples of working men in the country.
We sped off the roadside canteen and bid Delta State a farewell onto Anambra. Though the road was not so good from Asaba, where we had stopped, the streets we plied in Anambra were better off. That is one state that boasts better infrastructural facilities that were soothingly constructed and added beauty to the state.
The long and mighty bridge, which welcomed us to Anambra, is one you need to see. I’ve always seen that kind of bridge, but on the internet and perhaps the television. But, the government of Anambra, courtesy of NYSC, gave me the opportunity. Never blame me; I had always been mummy’s pet!
On the streets of the famous market, immediately after the bridge, I saw people, young and old, men and women, doing their business. Igbo people, from my observation, are business oriented and can dedicate the whole of their lives to what they do. I call them the industrial engine of Nigeria and give them kudos.
Aside from our Igbo and South-South brothers, the Hausas are another hard-working set of people. There is no job they cannot do, as long as it fetches them money. Unlike most of our brothers from the Northern part of the country, I hold profound sentiment against the Igbo people. These people are ready to convert every opportunity available to cheat you. And this is one thing most Nigerians have against them.
On not less than three occasions, we had to ask people for direction on our way; after introducing ourselves as travellers, in a not too long distance, none of those we met, mostly bike men, demanded less than a thousand naira. The first such experience was at a bus stop before the Anambra Orientation Camp. We were trying to ascertain how close we were to the state camp; we were told by the bikers that we had a very long way to go. But as destiny would have it, an NYSC official showed up and put us through. My people, it was just about 7 minutes drive!
The same thing happened in Enugu town and Awgu, our destination.
At about 8pm, we landed at the Enugu State NYSC Orientation Camp host community, Awgu. In my view, the local government is one of the biggest in the Coal City State, which has Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburugburu) as her Chief Executive Office and CSO.
We were hugged by darkness as the power company held its supply. But, NYSC made us smile; we met power supply on camp, but we had to battle sternly looking security operatives at the gate. We were thoroughly checked!
The camp experience was wonderful, tasking and superb. Different folks came together.
#EnuguKopa
#Corperdiary
Muhammed Moshood 
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