thoughts from AKAS on NYSC - nice one bro
I'm in a city without a name (Dayday, apologies for stealing this) somewhere in Southern Nigeria. I had planned on doing a summary of my experience in camp, but inspiration has so far been errant. I lay in wait though. Perhaps, muse or creative daemon I shall find soon.
I did not expect to like the camp experience, and I cannot say, in hindsight, if my expectations were proven right or wrong. I felt (and still feel) that the NYSC scheme is an exasperating game of "Hello, Nigerian graduates. Please, come, let's waste your time, yet again", an exercise in draining productivity and manpower that would have been better applied elsewhere.
Yes, some corpers help others, and are able to help children especially, say while teaching, and this perhaps changes the lives of these children, one at a time. They do really good work, worthy of commendation. And for those carrying out substantial CDS projects, these are sometimes facilitated by grants.
For a reasonable number of others, posted to villages and largely redundant government establishments, the three-week camp experience is likely going to be the highlight of the NYSC year. A couple of my friends who have "served" already mentioned this, about a month ago. I see the wisdom in their words now.
But, let's thread back to my camp experience. Okay, laying out all the details would be a bore. I did end up finding pleasure in uncomfortable surroundings. When I think of camp, I think the very best part is the people, the ones you meet and get to know, beyond all of the usual superficialities. And I met the most amazing people, and made friends that made me feel I had known them forever, beautiful souls that became family for the very short while we were locked up, together.
I met people whose lives emphasised to me that there is indeed a God somewhere up there, and quite as importantly, somewhere within us too. I met people with whom I'd take pictures of the rising sun at 6:00AM. And there were those with whom I'd talk about politics and the Nigerian situation, after the day's activities were concluded (Tobi, this is you here). I served as treasurer of my platoon, and so being part of that leadership and accountability process was a good, if tiring, experience. I could go on, but then, I'd never end, so I'd just stop here.
And at the end, when I moved past the gate of the Black Gold Camp for one final time as the buses conveyed those posted to various PPAs, being on the tarred road again was a thing of absolute joy. I appreciated then just how prisoners with long-term sentences must feel the instant they step out of jail.
Beyond that, there was an inexplicable, but certain, feeling of accomplishment. I hadn't just survived. I had great memories, great lessons, to carry with me as I trudged off, once more, into the world I know.
P.S. While in Zaria, shortly after camp, I met Kabiru, a charming Motorcycle rider in Sabon-Gari. During the brief journey, we talked a bit, whenever traffic alllowed it. When I asked where exactly he was from, since he didn't quite sound like the people I'd met there, so far, he told me he was indeed from Sabon-Gari, and his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all been born there. He asked where I was from and whether I'd be staying in Zaria, or travelling soon, to which I gave answers. I asked more questions too.
And when we parted, I told him I was happy to have met him. And he smiled and told me he was happy to have met me, as well. I smiled, as I realized that he looked really content, and had sounded so, all through our chat.
And when we parted, I told him I was happy to have met him. And he smiled and told me he was happy to have met me, as well. I smiled, as I realized that he looked really content, and had sounded so, all through our chat.
P.S.S. The people in Kaduna are possibly some of the nicest people in Nigeria. And yes, Kaduna kilishi is definitely better than Abuja kilishi. I just thought I should add that.
P.S.S.S. This is an update.
