Òmó Igbo: The start of Her adventure.

Just like every other Saturday, I had prepared to leave for my mother's shop... Then I decided to check my whatsapp messages, and bam! The news of batch B stream 1 going to the NYSC orientation camp was all over my TL. First I was confused and all I could scream was "mummy!", because we have been caught by surprise. Where do we start from, we weren't prepared for this at all. Then the moment we have been waiting for came, where was I posted? I don't know who was even more nervous about what might be the outcome of my call up letter, I or my mom. Finally we managed to check amiss fear, curiosity and nervousness. Mom wanted Abuja, after all that is were they share Nigeria money and perhaps  she wanted a taste of it but I never really knew where I wanted, I was ready to go anywhere... Me that like exploration and newness but still I didn't want too much stress or suffering. I heard Ogun state camp is the best in the country, plus it was closer to Lagos so I chose it over Lagos because I didn't want Lagos stress.  But like a good Africa daughter my mother's choice became my choice while I prayed for God's will to be done.

I was deployed to Ogun state, and suddenly aunty Thelmate started having mixed feelings oh. Sometimes I wonder for myself. I became scared, maybe because of the stories I have heard about camp, the long journey, being far from home or maybe the reality dawn on me that, I maybe leaving the comfort of my parents forever. I left for Ogun state on Tuesday.

The morning before I left my mother prayed all sort of prayers on me, especially for husband and Job, she even included heartbreak *smiles* at that point I almost laughed. I was on my kneels for almost an hour and finally she almost dipped me into a drum of olive oil. This woman is taking no chances with her only daughter oh.

The journey was a quiet and unusual one for me, my mind kept wandering here and there. Am I ready to be called Òmò igbo to stay that far from home for a full year or more, I don't even have any relative or family friend in this state, my list of fears were endless. Family members and some friends I told didn't even make it easier for me... They kept telling me, "be careful oh Ogun State do rituals alot" "Ogun state is a very mystical state" or " be careful oh especially with your pants and sanitary pads yahoo boys go there to get powers". Yeah... You can now imagine how excited I was about going there after those wonderful stories they kindly told me *scoff*

I got irritated most part of the journey because our driver kept stopping like he was doing town service. And no matter how much we complained, oga will apologize and still stop 5 minutes after. So we gave up. Plus the car was consuming petrol like a camel, we bought about 100 and something liters of petrol! And no am not exaggerating, before we got to my destination. I only prayed to get to my destination before dark, and thank God it happened.

I got to shagamu Ogun state by 6pm and my adventure began almost immediately. Some men ran towards our car pushing each other shouting NYSC camp! NYSC camp! I managed to squeeze my way out of the car. And just as my feet touched the ground I was almost torn apart by the men who happens to be Okada riders, my bag was not spared either, they kept dragging and for a second I thought I was in Lagos. I had to push them away secured my bags and chose one with a funny looking okada. I had to buy bucket and padlocks since I heard some people come to camp just to help others keep their belongings  properly. We started beating price brother told me N400. It sounded quite high so I called a friend who was already in camp to confirm the price, the man laughed and called me Ómo Igbo. I didn't care and moreover the earlier I get comfortable with the name the better. I confirmed it was N400 before agreeing to pay, girls aren't smiling Buhari is still our president.

It was 6pm already and I was exhausted from my long journey. I was searched and admitted into the camp.

I was impressed by the sight I met. It was truly a five star camp like I heard, the hostel was top notch organized tidy, tiled, tap water, electricity, multipurpose hall, stadium, clinic all in a beautiful and clean environment. I became a bit at eased Cleaners and maintenance team still come in from time to time to clean and make sure the taps and switches are working. I was assigned a bed space next to the entrance.

The registration and verification process was not as beautiful as the camp. But I must say they tried their best to simplify and make it easier but the crowd and the young Nigerians Wahala shamed their efforts. Remember I was already stressed, it was seven steps, which you have to follow in consecutive order. By 10pm they had to close for the day and I still had two steps to go I almost cried and at some point I was dozing off.

But there was no going back now...We have come to obey the Clarion call and that we must do to the end. No wonder I had never looked forward to NYSC, my body repels stressors. 

So Thel me how was your first day in camp?

Thel me were you excited when you saw the state you were deployed?

This is Thelmate let's talk about first day as an Otondo!