Hi everyone,
This is me taking out time to share my experience in nysc orientation camp, Iyana ipaja, Lagos state between July 24th to August 13th, 2018. I may go a bit and relate my out of camp experience too as a corper but let's see how the 21 days own goes fez. I am an avid reader of stories and experiences here on nairaland and decided why not? Since Lagos camp is rarely talked about here. Thanks to everyone who made camp fun and interesting for me. And to you reading this, buckle up amigo. It's going to be half a decent read for you .

I almost forgot, I'm nonye and a 2018 batch B stream I corper, was supposed to be in the batch A but my school sha. I Graduated from Akwa Ibom State University, a fairly new institution from the department of chemical and petrochemical engineering with a pretty looking 2:1 lol.
P.s: I'm good at talking too much much so expect a long but interesting reading. And sometimes my Englishes or punctuations maybe wrong, forgive me, I can't afford a proof reader with 19,800 so we're stuck in this together

Before you go on to read the next post, I've extended this thread beyond my camp experience to include life outside of camp. And until recently, my post-nysc experience too (it's very short, I promise)

I had to do this due to the mail requests I got for a follow up on my experience until when I got my first job after nysc

I've tried to modify the topic of the thread to reflect this new additions to no avail, hence why I'm giving y'all the heads up here







PRIOR CAMP (1/2)


So the weeks preceding camp wasn't a good one for me. Pop's business got burgled and it took a toll on all of us. My ex called quits because she was leaving for batch A camp and since we'll likely not be posted in the same state, it was better we parted and moved on since long distance isn't an option. Well, as the universe could twist things, she wasn't called up for batch A. Meaning she was now stuck in batch B with yours truly. It sha didn't change anything since we could still be posted to different states. More on this later sha.
Did I mention that my bank account was red from brokenness so I had to rely on pops for cash for everything even the sorting I paid for to get Lagos state. Yes, I paid for Lagos state, sue me lol. Many of us in camp did that so don't cast any stones here
Even with the situation of things, I still prepared for camp knowing already even before the letter came out where I was headed. Although none of my folks thought it'll work but it did and everyone was glad it wasn't a scam. My school mates and other friends whom I registered with were surprised and full of questions when they found out I got Lagos state because they knew I didn't even choose it but well, if you no get money......lol
Mind you, the midnight that was supposed to kick-start registration was a scam, the portal didn't open and we stayed up all night for nothing at an open space cyber cafe with cold and mosquito. This was before I had the sorting idea. I even made a post about that evening on nairaland and you can read it here: https://www.nairaland.com/4608385/batch-b-pcms-keeping-vigil

When the portal opened later that day by 9am, registration wasn't going through and when it did, top states to get posted to were already unavailable for selection. Isn't corruption wonderful? . I picked Taraba and three other states I'm not even sure of again. That was when my course mate advised me to sort it I can afford it. Told pops and he agreed to my amazement. He told me to make the most of my service there and probably kick start a career there too.
Have I mentioned that I stay in Uyo, Akwa Ibom before now? Forgive me. I'm Igbo but parents occupation had me and my siblings born and raised here. At least you could agree that I needed a good change of environment for one year or more for myself, hence Lagos .

So I was leaving for Lagos state brokeass and recently single, with the later was more hurting. But let's leave emotions out for now. Bags packed and prepared mentally, physically and spiritually .I purchased my ticket for Lagos on Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning, I left for Lagos state from Uyo.


Disclaimer:

that's not me below

PRIOR CAMP (2/2)


So I got to Lagos a little after 5pm in the evening and went to my uncle's home where I'll be staying and I'm currently staying to serve too. Before now, my visits to Lagos are barely days and week's visit and this was a while ago. But coming back now revived all nostalgia about the city and the people. Here you meet the good, bad and ugly experience in one day. Getting home from the park itself was an experience and stress.
So I woke up the next day to breakfast from my host's wife and she was gisting me about her own camp experience and chipping in advises along the story. She was even the one that gingered me to to leave for camp a day before opening day, which I was hesitant to do at first but found my self packing for after she gave me reasons. One thing about being a pcm, you are truly an amateur, otondo . You are like a Jss1 student that begins a boarding school without having a prior experience of what it's like or what it holds for you in there.

So I packed and got ready for camp a day before, against what I planned for. I forgot to mention that on the day I was coming to Lagos, that evening I got a message from a friend that some pcms posted to Lagos and few states will have to do their orientation in some other states due to logistics reasons . I had a mini heart attack because I wasn't prepared for this kinda news and was scared to check cos we were passing Berger by that time in Lagos already. I checked sha and it was still Lagos camp, omo you needed to see the look of relief on my face. Remember my ex who was now stuck in batch B with me? She was posted to Lagos state too! So imagine this scenario: you break up with someone because y'all are gonna be away from each other due to mandatory exercise only for fate to send y'all to the same new place. Crazy right?!

I no go lie, I was looking forward to and hoping for a rekindling in camp since we're headed to the same camp but guess what happened? Satan was working overtime with our village people . She was among those sent to undergo their orientation in a camp different from the state they were posted to . When she told me this that evening, it sounded like a second break up walahi. But shit happens right?

So I left for camp Monday evening with my uncle's wife and got to the camp after plenty traffic wahala. When we got to the entrance, they were searching pcms bags, boxes and what have you. Since I read so many DOs and DON'Ts of camp, I felt confident nothing will be confiscated from me , or so I thought . Bided my aunt goodbye and rolled my mini box to the check post and a policeman signalled me to come over which I was grateful for cos almost every force in the country was under that canopy searching and seizing. This is the kinda situation you'll remember that police is your friend lol. I went to the policeman and he asked me without telling me to open my box if I'm with any contraband, smiling I said no and he wasn't convinced. He asked again and mumu me went to open my box, that was how one of my zips spoilt and plans of securing my box with a padlock shattered . The man seeing my situation said no need and still asked if I was with shaving stick. I proudly answered yes and uncle said issa contraband .

'Say whaaaaaaaat' Wetin I go carry shave?' Was what was screaming in my head. But he didn't asked for it, he just went through my documents and asked me to go in. You needed to see how other pcms were getting their sturvs (like irons, extension sockets, hangers, sharp objects and etc) seized from them like Nigerian customs at the border :-/. Wetin concern me sef? With one zip left in my box and my pride, I selected 'what happens in Lagos' album by Ajebutter22 and turned my volume to slightly below maximum, then began walking towards the camp. Here begins my 21 day diary .

Attached below are pictures of me waiting under the canopy after being let into the camp

And a snapshot of the camp parade ground/mami market from my sitting position

white fowl come and finish your story

Driver drop me here!!

eyin ti davido........

No time for stories....

Next please

This sounds interesting.

Space booked

About the story though... That's part where you were unable to pick the top states, the thing is that people with connection has already pushed the available button to get their children to the best States in Nigeria. That leaves the rest to pick the remaining second class States.

Its the most frustrating part of NYSC.
The daughter of osinbajo got posted to aso rock while a friend of mine from Lagos got posted to a village in Maiduguri.
It is well with Nigeria

Make una read o come tell us watin she dey talk. Too long!

Congratulations to all those that are passing out, including my beautiful sis.....

Cheers

bloody otondo

Thank God i didn't read it..

mehn, nice story



please read my signature, thanks

Good. All we need now is pop corn and drinks.

Did you not learn summary in your school ? >

Dox dat read it should drop a few synopsis.
Her matter long, maybe river nile.

An advice from here

Go and type and sell your experience

Otondo Corper, if Corper marry Corper dem go born mumu

Koffa

Pcm going to camp with iron

What for

Mtcheeew

Terribly poor writing skills for a graduate.