It is the dream of every Nigerian student to put on the most talked about 7/7, khaki and jungle boot. The camp stories told by those who have been there, I just couldn’t wait to join this train.

                Finally, I was done with school, all i could think of was how my NYSC experience would be. Heard a lot of stories, good and bad, pleasant and unpleasant tales. I went online, saw a lot of stories, some made me yearn more for my own experience, while others scared the living hell out of me. But no matter how i felt, it is a compulsory phase of life for every Nigerian student. When it was time for the online registration, really terrified, I decided to register late, which was a big mistake, as it landed me in the strangest of all lands which I never even knew existed, nor did I ever imagine myself living there, ZAMFARA STATE. Seeing my call-up letter carrying Zamfara state, I had to cross check the name to whom the letter was addressed to. All I could think of was the prayers I had undergone for the sake of my posting. “Could it be that God never heard these prayers?” I thought to myself. On hearing that the date has been shifted indefinitely, I was the happiest on earth, finally God has remembered me, probably I would be reposted when a new callup letter is available online. I continued in prayers. Finally, a new date was set. The orientation camp was to commence on 13^th June, 2016. Still scared, and with much hope, I checked for my state of deployment, unfortunately, it still had Zamfara on it. Really disappointed, but with believe that everything happens for a reason, I got set for my journey to Zamfara, in anticipation to see what exactly Zamfara has to offer me. All through the journey, I googled NYSC Orientation Camp, Tsafe, Zamfara State, to have an idea on what I would be faced with upon my arrival. The Internet didn’t have enough to show me, guess I was on my own!

                I arrived the orientation camp a day to its official opening, 12^th June, 2016. Getting to the gate with my box, a very little box because I had to travel light, I met some soldiers at the gate. “hey you, kai! I’m talking to you! Yes, you! Stop there! I had no idea they were talking to me, until somebody signalled me. Good evening Sir! I greeted. What is good about the evening? They answered. Where are you matching to as if you are in a war front, or is there something chasing you? So, you just come to a place for the first time and start walking as if you own the place? I’m sorry sir, I responded. Sorry for yourself! another soldier quickly cut in. A fine girl like you, you have not started you are already misbehaving? How will you survive? I’m sincerely sorry sir! I said again. Oyah! bring your bag let us check it, whether there is bomb inside, maybe that is why you want to hurriedly enter, so we don’t search you. Nawa o! They searched my bag and I was discharged.

                Upon Entry into the hostel and settling down, the first thing I went for was to check out the restroom, so as to devise a strategy on how I would survive the next 18days I’m going to be here. I also wondered how I was going to survive waking up by 4pm to prepare for the early morning parades, how I was going to secure my properties to prevent them from being stolen, a lot of thoughts kept coming in. But I bless God, everything went on well. The orientation course was a success. Made a lot of friends, most of who redeployed, but still kept in contact.

                Just as many tried and failed, I tried redeploying, but only God knows why it didn’t work through for me. Still with a believing heart, that he alone knows why things are the way they are, I stayed in Zamfara and never again tried redeploying.

                If I am to count my blessings for this past one year, most of it would include the friends I made while in Zamfara. The love shown by neighbours who turned family ( Daddy Otito and his beautiful family, Doctor Habib and his beautiful family, Dr Fishbone, Mr PAT who I always referred to as “save the children man”), mallam Ashiru, the mayguard that wouldn’t stop making me laugh with his funny way, Alhaji Nura who had a shop close to my house, the way he called my name could make me forget about my worries and burst into laughter. The wife of the previous maygaurd, she could greet you 20 times in the morning till you tell her to stop. Shadeoluwa, Bolaji, Paranormal, ThankGod, Abraham, Dauda, Manasseh, Angleo, Joy, Chat, Aj, Lekan, Wellington, Jesse. I love you all and it was a pleasure meeting you. Also, the Entire staffs of the ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals, Gusau, staffs of Running jack Technologies, my CDS supervisor, my LGI, my ZI. 

Still speaking of my blessings, the biggest of them was my dearly beloved cousin Joshua. Brother, I don’t know how my service year would have been without you. Thank you!

Indeed, our life on earth is nothing but a journey, every day, is a phase! In order to balance our existence, we must also go through some challenges and meet some really bad people with awful characters and personalities. Meeting such persons is only a part of the big plan. Their existence plays a huge role in our lives, to strengthen us, to teach us, and to prepare us for better days ahead. No regrets!

                When God is with you, even in a land of famine, you would flourish. I do not know how it feels to serve in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt or even Delta state, but I wouldn’t ask for a more peaceful way and place to serve my country. To the world, Zamfara is a dry land, but all I saw was a rich land waiting to be exploited. He has blessed me richly and made known to me the reason why he chose Zamfara.

                All thanks to God who knows tomorrow from today. Even in a strange land, he gave me fullness of joy and preserved me. Only his grace could have brought me this far. Many started this journey, but are no more. Many lost their lives to strange illnesses, diseases, accidents and strange sudden deaths while rendering this selfless service. But he went with me, stayed with me all through the year, saw me through till the end. I return all glory to You God!

#khakistory#myNYSCdiary#exZamfaracorper#

#blesseDnGrateful#omnipotentpresentscienceGod#