NYSC IN SOKOTO STATE

After university in Nigeria. The next thing that usually follows for most people is National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This is a one-year program in Nigeria that consists of 3-weeks military training and orientation, and 12 months in total of serving the nation as a corps member. This program is beneficial to all youths because it unifies people from all races and tribes, and people of all colour. It also enables one to be able to work in a government establishment in Nigeria, which has its benefits. NYSC is sometimes frowned at because of how stressful it is the first few months, and the anxiety of travelling and staying in a different geographical location, especially since it’s not by choice, let me not even go to the ‘salary’ part. But despite all of that, NYSC is unique to Nigeria, and it is so beneficial in the long run depending on your career path.
The first thing you need to do before camp is to have a positive mindset, “leave your attitude at home” like “Triple A” would say, and be willing to learn.
I got posted to Sokoto s

tate in the Northern part of Nigeria.
My first reaction when I saw ‘Sokoto’ on my Call-up letter
I legit cried. I cried for about 1 minute before I began to realise that even if I decide to redeploy or stay, it would be exciting to see Sokoto. Sokoto wasn’t a state I was familiar with at all. It is practically located at the end of the Nigerian map, and could as well be at the end of the world to me.

The long journey to Sokoto State
Sokoto is a northern state in Nigeria. It takes more than 17 hours to travel by road, from Lagos to Sokoto.
On my way to the camp, I booked a flight two days to when I would leave. I didn’t want to go by road due to security reasons and the fact that I would be travelling there for the first time. The trip to Sokoto from Lagos took about two hours in total.
My flight was delayed and I had to go the airport the next day, and I was to transit from Lagos to Abuja, then from Abuja to Sokoto. It was quite stressful because I waited for 6 hours in Abuja before the next flight to Sokoto was ready to board.

When I finally got to Sokoto state. I had already prepared my mind to have the best camp experience.
Sokoto greeted me with a cold and dry embrace. The weather was entirely different from what I was used to in Lagos. The dressing, the people, the language and the architecture was so unique too. I didn’t get to see a lot of places because I took a cab from the airport to the camp, which was for about 30 minutes.

The registration process

The first week was extremely stressful. My luggage was searched as soon as I reached the gate and I had to register my valuables, from there, I proceeded to do the covid test. Doing the test was a bit painful just like I heard it would be, I actually cried.
Next, I was directed to the female hostel to keep my bags and choose my bed space. I got a space in Room 16 of ‘Honesty Hostel’.
After choosing my space, I went ahead to the ‘hall’ to begin registration properly, but I couldn’t register that same day and I had to go back the next day. Finally, I registered and got my registration slip the next day, which enabled me to be given my statecode and to be part of a ‘Platoon’. I was part of Platoon 1 of Batch C, Stream 2.

Camp Activities

One thing about NYSC camp is the schedules. Every time is accounted for something. It is more like living in a military encampment.
Every morning, we woke up by 4 a.m and have to be downstairs for morning devotion, morning exercise and morning parade, which ends at 8 a.m.
8 a.m is breakfast time and then we had SAED (Skills Acquisition & Entreprenuership Department) lectures until 1.30 p.m. Afterwards, we had lunch by 2 p.m. From 4 p.m, we would have evening parade until 6 p.m.
From 8 p.m to 10 p.m, we had social night, and finally, lights-out from 10 p.m to 4 p.m.
All these activities were compulsory for everyone, except those with health issues.
Wamako camp
In camp, I met so many people, and I met the best people. I’ve been so cooped up in my own world that I never thought it was possible to meet an entirely different set of people. Some I met in my platoon, some I met in the hostel, some I met in the OBS, some I met in church, and some were through acquaintances. It was a wonderful experience. One thing about camp is that you cannot be idle and you can definitely not run out of people to socialise with.

Honourable mentions

The first friend I made in camp was Gift. I met her in the airport, we were going to board the same flight to Sokoto. A little conversation led to us being good friends. The second friend I made in camp is ‘Godswill’ (my namesake). Godswill was such a character (in a good way), he has such a unique personality, and I sincerely admire him for being so outspoken and being such a good friend. Then I met Ola. Ola is such a beautiful person inside and out. I met her on the flight to Sokoto, but we got really acquainted when we became roommates. I got to learn alot about her and her love for music (which is one thing we have in common), and the fact that she has recorded some of her songs. Then I met Helen who was also my roommate, Helen is someone I absolutely admire (but she doesn’t know that yet), I love that she is strict but also so sweet, she is the one person who literally changed my life (but its between she and I). Another roommate I got so close to was Grace. Grace is a breath of fresh air, she is probably the love of my life. My roommate were the best, I will miss Ola, Grace, Helen, Lilian, Vivian, Ife, Precious, and so many others.
I joined the OBS a few days when I got to camp. A few more days, and I knew I had found the perfect family, a place where I felt like I was contributing to the smooth running of camp. At first, I didn’t know what exactly I wanted to do in the OBS, but I knew I wanted to be a part of the OBS. I certainly didn’t want to write, because I have been writing all my life and I wanted something for a change, so I joined the News and Broadcasting group (which would help me to be more confident with my podcast).

My mentors were Miss Onofeta and Tripple A. They were awesome. Honestly, I fell in love with Miss onofeta even before meeting her, because, every morning ( during the first week of camp) she would recite the morning meditation with her absolutely gorgeous voice, and she turned out to be my guide in the News and Broadcasting group. Tripple A (aka….. not saying his real name) was so talented, just like everyone in the OBS. He was our boss. Tripple A is such a good person, he was always there. He was in charge of hosting the social night and keeping everyone entertained (and we were entertained ). He is probably the first friend I made in the OBS.
In the OBS, I also met Anita, my partner and friend. Anita is such a good person, and someone I absolutely miss. I miss you so much Anita. I also met Moses, one of the best people I met in camp. Moses, I feel so lucky to have known you.
I will also miss Nicole ( one person I wish I had met sooner) , Josephine, Praise, Christiana, Emmanuel Achu, Gabriel, and Timothy.
And ofcourse, how could I forget Paul. I wish I had met Paul sooner. Paul gave me my very first signed book, a horror book he had written. I will miss his smile and utter brilliance.

Unforgettable Moments In Camp

The social nights. Especially the night when we had Gulder Ultimate Search

The last meeting/party with the OBS members

Saying goodbye to my friends

The first time we did morning parade

The routine of queuing to get breakfast, lunch and dinner

Carnival day in camp

The last day of camp when we had to take our luggages and beds to sign out (super stressful)

Having my camp crush actually admitting his feelings to me ( lol..I was right all along)

The salutation done after evening parade (‘remove headdress!’ etc.)

The morning exercise

Sourcing for ‘camp shoutouts’

The morning bugle

The camp director’s morning speech

The sound of the bugle when Nigeria is going to sleep ( to me, it meant dinner time)

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