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My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria - NYSC - Nairaland

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My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by tecnolad(m): 11:08pm On Apr 11, 2018
My service year experience can be related to the processes involved in the making of gold, which we all love - from fire to glitters.

Oh! Pardon my ill manners. My name is Aruleba Damilare Olamide, an ex Kebbi State corp member Batch B, 2016).

Just like every prospective corp member whose call up letter points to the Northern part of Nigeria, I was torn apart. "Kebbi State! Of all the states in Nigeria! How many ancestors did I offend!" I screamed, as I quickly searched out the Nigerian map on my Android smartphone. I had never been so serious reading the Nigerian map before.

Knowing that I would have to travel to the extreme of Nigeria made me wish I was dreaming, but reality was so adamant that it wouldn't give way for my dream wishes to come true.

Without wasting time, I ransacked the internet, looking for other "ill-fated" protective corp members like myself to be travel partners with. With luck on my side, I found many Whatsapp groups and I was quick to make friends. The mobilization countdown began.

Fast forwarded to the day I had to leave for camp, I woke up as early as 4am (as if I even slept. Lol). I was on an emotional merry-go-round that had happiness and sadness seating on different seats - Yay! I'm going to camp! - at Kebbi state? Oh no!

Funny enough, I never got on the same bus with those friends I made from Whatsapp; I found other PCMs on the bus I was and we all told our sad stories.

The journey to Kebbi was so far that if not that I saw sand everywhere, I'd have asked the driver if he was driving us to heaven. We arrived at Niger State and I checked my map with a smile on my face. "Kebbi is next," I said loudly. I never knew what the miles ahead looked like.

My parents called me three times (with three hours between each time) and I replied their "where are you?" questions with "Niger State." At this point, I thought to sleep, but what I saw next put my sleeping faculty on caffeine. I saw a camel! I only saw them in books and on TV - I was so happy to see a live camel that I totally forgot that I couldn't feel my butts.

If Jackie Chan was on that vehicle, he'd be glad to have met a die-hard fan; I had practised all the styles he used in the drunken master because my butt and legs were numb.

After driving for hours, we arrived at Koko Besse, where we took another car to Dankingari. After about an hour now driving, we got the NYSC camp. Guys, this camp was so beautiful that I didn't think about all the travel stress I went through.

The three weeks I spent in the camp came and passed quicker than I thought and I had to go to my PPA. I was posted to Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State.


And the real struggle began...

I had a rough beginning, trying to blend with a totally different culture - the language; dos and don'ts; food ( After eating rice in Kebbi, it was like my anus lost its "hold" button - for three days, I visited the toilet more than I blinked). Did I tell you I drank more than 10 satchets of water everyday without peeing? It was hell.

Soon enough, things changed, gradually. Before I could say "Jack Robinson," I feel in love with that way of life that once disgusted me. Serving in the North soon became something I was proud to tell people about.

I was able to know that Hausas are hard working people - an average Hausa man has entrepreneurship tattooed on his mind. I enjoyed discussing with them because although most didn't go to school, they have a sound business mind.

Never judge a Hausa man by his looks, I was jaw-dropped when a 24-looking Hausa guy walked to me to help him check his balance on an ATM. That afternoon, I had just returned from my PPA and I was zombified and so hungry that my economics textbook looked like bread to me, so I had to use the ATM.

After waiting for a period of time that seemed like forever to me, with this guy in his torn clothes and slippers branded with "channel O's" almost having to read a "How to operate an ATM for Dummies" manual before he could use the machine.

Finally, he gave up, turning to me for help. "Mai gida, balance" was all he said to me, which I clearly understood. Without wasting time, I asked for his pin and I clicked on the "check balance" option. What I saw almost made me exclaim. He had 1,546,000 (not made up) in his account . It was like I received an OTA respect update for him, because I had just 10,000 naira in my account, but I looked like I could buy him.

**back to the story*

I attended RCCF and NCCF and these fellowship put my music life on steroids. Just like myself, I met music thespians in both fellowships and this exposed me to a whole new level of cool, musically.

I soon made a Hausa friend who had the passion to learn the English Language, and since I'd love to learn the Hausa language too, we brought the barter system back to life. This brought me more fun, because to some extent, I could understand it when Hausas communicated.

Things are so cheap that at times, I spent only hundred naira to prepare stew. Oh! About stew, I was taught to cook by some other female Corp members who didn't want me to end my life as a junkie. I was posted along side 9 ladies to my lodge, and they were wonderful to me. They thought me so many kitchen-related stuff.

Kebbi State was more than I had imagined; aside from the really hot weather that made me and every other corp member sleep outside at times (which we loved because we got to share stories), Kebbi was altogether awesome.

I never regretted serving in the North because it brought me many blessings. I had out-of-the-world experiences.

If you got posted to the North, don't feel bad. Seize every opportunity when you get there. Also, relate with the people. Some look like they are poor, but they are connected to the people in power. You never know what form that help you need may take.

140 Likes 17 Shares

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by gracile(f): 11:36pm On Apr 11, 2018
smiley

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Nobody: 12:44am On Apr 12, 2018
Reading....

1 Like

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by atesunate16(m): 1:18am On Apr 12, 2018
Interesting

2 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by dayowunmi(m): 2:07am On Apr 12, 2018
Well articulated. Your grammatical expressions are dope too.

78 Likes 1 Share

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Kokolet11: 7:37am On Apr 12, 2018
Sorry
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by tecnolad(m): 8:01am On Apr 12, 2018
dayowunmi:
Well articulated. Your grammatical expressions are dope too.

Thanks bro. I am glad you love my write-up

33 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by hadjipapiey(m): 9:30am On Apr 12, 2018
OK
.
.
.
.
.
.
Your write up isn't much different from mine..


The journey to jigawa was a Nostagia kiss
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by salbis(m): 9:31am On Apr 12, 2018
grin
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Nobody: 9:33am On Apr 12, 2018
angry

Who's that lady that spoilt your picture. It's like her picture even affected the quality of your write up

22 Likes 1 Share

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by soberdrunk(m): 9:33am On Apr 12, 2018
"Damilare!!! Damilare!!! Damilare!!! How many times did i call you? If you give that girl in the last picture 'belle', don't bother coming back home........... angry

40 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by BruncleZuma: 9:34am On Apr 12, 2018
"In the Northern Nigeria"...don't tell me you actually graduated from a university in Nigeria.
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by kilokeys(m): 9:34am On Apr 12, 2018
cool .. u should write a book.

much later.

i served in Taraba in 2011. kept a diary. will write a book in 2020.

4 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Nobody: 9:34am On Apr 12, 2018
Kebbi is safe. Very nice place to be.

2 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Tnicemario(m): 9:37am On Apr 12, 2018
tecnolad:
My service year experience can be related to the processes involved in the making of gold, which we all love - from fire to glitters.

Oh! Pardon my ill manners. My name is Aruleba Damilare Olamide, an ex Kebbi State corp member Batch B, 2016).

Just like every prospective corp member whose call up letter points to the Northern part of Nigeria, I was torn apart. "Kebbi State! Of all the states in Nigeria! How many ancestors did I offend!" I screamed, as I quickly searched out the Nigerian map on my Android smartphone. I had never been so serious reading the Nigerian map before.

Knowing that I would have to travel to the extreme of Nigeria made me wish I was dreaming, but reality was so adamant that it wouldn't give way for my dream wishes to come true.

Without wasting time, I ransacked the internet, looking for other "ill-fated" protective corp members like myself to be travel partners with. With luck on my side, I found many Whatsapp groups and I was quick to make friends. The mobilization countdown began.

Fast forwarded to the day I had to leave for camp, I woke up as early as 4am (as if I even slept. Lol). I was on an emotional merry-go-round that had happiness and sadness seating on different seats - Yay! I'm going to camp! - at Kebbi state? Oh no!

Funny enough, I never got on the same bus with those friends I made from Whatsapp; I found other PCMs on the bus I was and we all told our sad stories.

The journey to Kebbi was so far that if not that I saw sand everywhere, I'd have asked the driver if he was driving us to heaven. We arrived at Niger State and I checked my map with a smile on my face. "Kebbi is next," I said loudly. I never knew what the miles ahead looked like.

My parents called me three times (with three hours between each time) and I replied their "where are you?" questions with "Niger State." At this point, I thought to sleep, but what I saw next put my sleeping faculty on caffeine. I saw a camel! I only saw them in books and on TV - I was so happy to see a live camel that I totally forgot that I couldn't feel my butts.

If Jackie Chan was on that vehicle, he'd be glad to have met a die-hard fan; I had practised all the styles he used in the drunken master because my butt and legs were numb.

After driving for hours, we arrived at Koko Besse, where we took another car to Dankingari. After about an hour now driving, we got the NYSC camp. Guys, this camp was so beautiful that I didn't think about all the travel stress I went through.

The three weeks I spent in the camp came and passed quicker than I thought and I had to go to my PPA. I was posted to Jega Local Government Area of Kebbi State.


And the real struggle began...

I had a rough beginning, trying to blend with a totally different culture - the language; dos and don'ts; food ( After eating rice in Kebbi, it was like my anus lost its "hold" button - for three days, I visited the toilet more than I blinked). Did I tell you I drank more than 10 satchets of water everyday without peeing? It was hell.

Soon enough, things changed, gradually. Before I could say "Jack Robinson," I feel in love with that way of life that once disgusted me. Serving in the North soon became something I was proud to tell people about.

I was able to know that Hausas are hard working people - an average Hausa man has entrepreneurship tattooed on his mind. I enjoyed discussing with them because although most didn't go to school, they have a sound business mind.

Never judge a Hausa man by his looks, I was jaw-dropped when a 24-looking Hausa guy walked to me to help him check his balance on an ATM. That afternoon, I had just returned from my PPA and I was zombified and so hungry that my economics textbook looked like bread to me, so I had to use the ATM.

After waiting for a period of time that seemed like forever to me, with this guy in his torn clothes and slippers branded with "channel O's" almost having to read a "How to operate an ATM for Dummies" manual before he could use the machine.

Finally, he gave up, turning to me for help. "Mai gida, balance" was all he said to me, which I clearly understood. Without wasting time, I asked for his pin and I clicked on the "check balance" option. What I saw almost made me exclaim. He had 1,546,000 (not made up) in his account . It was like I received an OTA respect update for him, because I had just 10,000 naira in my account, but I looked like I could buy him.

**back to the story*

I attended RCCF and NCCF and these fellowship put my music life on steroids. Just like myself, I met music thespians in both fellowships and this exposed me to a whole new level of cool, musically.

I soon made a Hausa friend who had the passion to learn the English Language, and since I'd love to learn the Hausa language too, we brought the barter system back to life. This brought me more fun, because to some extent, I could understand it when Hausas communicated.

Things are so cheap that at times, I spent only hundred naira to prepare stew. Oh! About stew, I was taught to cook by some other female Corp members who didn't want me to end my life as a junkie. I was posted along side 9 ladies to my lodge, and they were wonderful to me. They thought me so many kitchen-related stuff.

Kebbi State was more than I had imagined; aside from the really hot weather that made me and every other corp member sleep outside at times (which we loved because we got to share stories), Kebbi was altogether awesome.

I never regretted serving in the North because it brought me many blessings. I had out-of-the-world experiences.

If you got posted to the North, don't feel bad. Seize every opportunity when you get there. Also, relate with the people. Some look like they are poor, but they are connected to the people in power. You never know what form that help you need may take.



Interesting
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by wildchild1: 9:37am On Apr 12, 2018
Northern Nigeria is the best place to serve.

To think I never wanted to serve grin NYSC is my best Nigerian experience, thanks to General Gowon.

13 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Our5k(m): 9:37am On Apr 12, 2018

44 Likes 1 Share

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Nobody: 9:37am On Apr 12, 2018
kilokeys:
cool .. u should write a book.

much later.

i served in Taraba in 2011. kept a diary. will write a book in 2020.
By 2020 you'll write a boook about your NYSC experience in 2011. Make sure it's for your family member's consumption

44 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by pyrex23(m): 9:37am On Apr 12, 2018
Nice story...

1 Like 1 Share

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Paperwhite(m): 9:39am On Apr 12, 2018
Wonderful experience you had there boy.
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by tobillionaire(m): 9:41am On Apr 12, 2018
cool
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by YINKS89(m): 9:42am On Apr 12, 2018
U try Bt north is a no for mi.
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Otarkpa: 9:42am On Apr 12, 2018
Good one. Don't judge a book by it's cover. The Hausas are great people apart from religious sentiments

4 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Mightyify(m): 9:43am On Apr 12, 2018
NYSC: Six (6) Reasons why you should not serve in the North


Any prospective Corp member who wants to have a wonderful service year, learn some skills, and have an opportunity of landing himself a good job, Core northern states should be last in your list. I'm not saying that serving in the North is entirely a bad idea, No! But you're better off serving in other geo political zones than core Northern States.


Note: the following reasons are my personal opinions and observations while serving in the North. I might be wrong though, and it can be argued too. Let's go....


No.1==Lack of Good PPAs:-

Due to shortage of qualified teachers in the North, 95% of corpers are deployed to schools as teachers with most of these schools located in the rural areas. This means onces you are posted to the North, there is a good chances of you ending up in one of these villages except you bribe some Nysc officials in camp to be posted to town. Trust me living in these villages is not easy ranging from epileptic power supply, language barrier, scarcity of water etc.


No.2= Things are not as cheap as you they told you:-

Yes! The only things you can buy cheap in the North are foodstuffs like cow meat, tomatoes, onions and yam. Every other thing goes almost same price you would get it in other states. Fish, Rice, beans, groundnut oil(not locally made), indomie, red oil, provisions, Garri, etc are sold the same price as in other states. In fact, you will buy rice cheaper in Abakiliki than in the North. Don't sell your future because of plate of food.


No.3=Having another source of Income apart from your alawee is difficult:-


I have read tales on how corpers organized private lessons and venture in other business to augument income but that's very hard in the North due to their attitude towards education, nobody might patronize you if you organize private lessons and most private schools in the City already have extra moral classes included in their school activities. Business kwanu? Don't even go there because you won't even stand a chance, an hausa man is ready to sell goods with just 40naira and also offer his services way cheaper than you.




No.4=Insecurity:-


Most Northern States are underpoliced! There are no enough presence of police and other security agents to protect you incase of any crisis. This is why there are lots casualties recorded anytime crisis broke out, Because before security agents will mobilize and arrival at the scene alot of damages has been done already. Anybody who served in any northern states can attest to this, you rarely see policemen unlike what we have in the south.

No.5=Accommodation Problem:-

Most Schools and ministries have no accommodation for you once you're posted to the Capital cities of Northern States. Yes! OYO is your case. Same problem that's also being suffered by corpers serving in Lagos, Abuja and Portharcourt. A good self contained apartment in Kano City is rented almost same amount with the ones in Ibadan, addo ekiti, calabar, Enugu, Uyo , owerri etc.

Note: If you're posted to the village, you are most likely to be provided with accommodation, I think this is also done nearly in all states. Corpers serving in my village have accommodation free too.


No.6=Less hope of getting ratained in your PPA:-

This one needs no explanation since you are most likely to be posted to the village, you will get tired of the place before your POP, so retaining you is out of the picture even if they do, you will gladly reject the offer.


Other reasons worth mentioning include: Harsh Weather, Lack of Social Activities, language barrier, etc.

10 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by legaxi(m): 9:44am On Apr 12, 2018

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by bujebudanu1(m): 9:45am On Apr 12, 2018
North north
Of all places,north!
U want to give ur people high bp

1 Like

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by LotannaAnaekwe: 9:45am On Apr 12, 2018
M
Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by Tobyarab(m): 9:45am On Apr 12, 2018
I served in Kebbi too (Birnin Kebbi) and the experience was also great. cost of living is very low and the people are quite hospitable too. I can't tell of life in northern states that have been historically volatile.

3 Likes

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by sistmeccy(f): 9:45am On Apr 12, 2018
interesting...I love your great sense of humor

3 Likes 2 Shares

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by lawalosky(m): 9:46am On Apr 12, 2018
nice1 brother...

1 Like

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by slimdamatrix1(m): 9:46am On Apr 12, 2018
Nicely written.

Cool experiencesmiley.

1 Like

Re: My NYSC Year Experiences In The Northern Nigeria by desmond2pk: 9:46am On Apr 12, 2018
The first time I was being introduced to kebbi, the person told me that they are different from other hausas, they are ibos, very industrious.
Second, I was told, no religious extremism in kebbi. You came to the right place.
Other places May not be the same

6 Likes

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