Up Close and Personal – 20082025

In the year 2000, I eagerly awaited my deployment letter to serve the nation under the National Youth Service Corps, despite being given a letter to the then Director of Mobilisation to influence my posting to Lagos or somewhere in the South-West. I tucked the letter under my pillow and put my fate in God’s hands.
My letter arrived, and lo and behold, I was to head to Benue State, with the Orientation Camp then sited at a place called Nwanunne (I hope I got the spelling right). The adventurous spirit in me excitedly prepared for the journey. I took off from Ilesha in the morning for Akure, where I was to board a bus to Benue. For some reason, there was no bus going to Benue until early evening, so we set out around sunset. We ended up spending the night somewhere near Okene, if I recall correctly.
The camp was closing the next day, and I arrived just a few hours before the Orientation Camp closed for admission. Thus began my one-year stay in Benue State. After the three weeks in camp, some guys again suggested trying to influence our posting to the State Capital (Makurdi) or Katsina-Ala. But the stubborn Ijesha spirit in me refused to yield. Trusting providence, I left it for fate to decide.
Alas, those who tried to influence their postings were sent to villages that required at least two modes of transportation, by road and by water. Meanwhile, the son of man who didn’t influence anything got posted to Makurdi. 😁
I was deployed to Government College, Makurdi, secured accommodation within the school, and made good friends during my one-year stay.
Would my story have been different if I had influenced any of the postings? Maybe, or maybe not. All I know is that I enjoyed my NYSC year. What was your experience like?
Enjoy your day and the rest of your week!
Cheers!

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