When An Ajebota sends in a story what do you expect?lol
What an awesome job u are doing!! This is my own SYB from a different perspective. Its quite long(to me anyway) so please grab a drink and a snack. I am currently still serving so hopefully it continues to go well.
I returned back to Nigeria in December after spending a long time in"the abroad " as it's usually called here lol.
My parents told me to apply for Nysc n I did. They decided to pay someone to ensure I was posted to Lagos even though they had a well placed friend that could ensure that without money but I guess a bit of pride made them decide to pay.
Unfortunately when the call up letters were posted I was posted to Rivers State. When I saw it I started crying lol. I had no plans to stay in camp if I was in Lagos but I couldn't disappear in Rivers especially since I would randomly be needed for foreign students result verification and I don't live there.
Mum n Dad were mad!!!
But at this point there was nothing we could do except make sure I was redeployed which was exactly what happened.
Shopping for my stuff for Nysc was an experience on its own. I couldn't speak any pidgin and my English still had a huge British influence so I had to go with mum. It was funny seeing all the haggling n craziness. After a few days ,saddled with a huge suitcase I left for camp.
My dad and I flew to Port Harcourt together and there was a driver to take us to camp from there. When searching my box at the camp gate the soldiers were making fun of me asking if I was moving to my husband's house. I didn't care. I had enough sanitizers wipes n white clothing to ensure I didn't need anything throughout the time I was there.
Dad followed me into camp until a soldier said "daddy you won't go?" Ahh as dad turned to leave I thought to myself "you are finished you better hide that your yeye British accent before they beat u in this camp". Registration was another hassle cos apart from the regular registration foreign trained students had loads more hurdles to go through.
The first few days were quite miserable for me from heat to mosquitoes to sharing a room but I was hell bent on surviving oo( I was later told by the cook that my mum couldnt eat for the first two days after I left). However on the third day when I was sitting away from the parade and a platoon officer came to ask me what was wrong.
I was soo ill that I didn't remember to code my accent. After repeating myself a few times I realized I had messed up massively. From that day I was called foreign till I left camp. After that experience I decided to try to engage with people more n I ended up being treasurer for my platoon n meeting camp boo.
I was very active n I actually began to enjoy the experience. Camp boo followed me everywhere it was cute n strange to me. I made friends with a few other people especially some down to earth foreign trained students who are all still my friends.
I redeployed at the end of camp to the dismay of my camp boo. We didn't do anything untoward cos I was far to scared n quite shy as well but he is an awesome person n we r still friends till today. In Lagos I was posted to my dad's company n things r much better though I have the wicked witch of the west as my LI.
All in all my service year has taught me tolerance for other people, better pidgin and how to control my accent as I can almost effortlessly switch between Naija n britico.
I really don't think the camp experience is a total waste of time cos it teaches respect discipline n tolerance especially for those from different cultural n socioeconomic backgrounds but I don't support the rest of the service year activities.
Stella if u decide to start a new segment to prepare future returnees on what to expect when moving back to Nigeria I would happily provide my own experiences as i am gradually finding my feet in our beloved country.
Hmmm Nice story.....you for at least call me make we prove this your Britico accent for my ears only,wanna see if you sound more Britico than BV Tetrina.
Ok
ReplyDeleteLol@ur comment stella
ReplyDeleteYou did well.
ReplyDeleteIt is not sweet jare. No fuck matter inside it
ReplyDeleteyou too like fuck
DeleteCool SYB.
ReplyDeleteLovely write up. However I would have loved to read more about your experiences in camp. Platoon ativities, sports and stuff that happened in your room.
ReplyDeleteYea. Tell us more about camp activities. Did you do any? How do you see the food? How was the camp fire night(abi,thats what they call it) did you climb those rope they tie together, how you managed with bunk and sleeping with many girls in a room etc
DeleteStela, aff yuo heer my own assent?
ReplyDelete......and I read your story all through in British accent in my mind lolz, how it happened I don't know..... nice story.
ReplyDeleteLong live SDK
Lol, same here.
DeleteMe too 😀
DeleteHahaha omg me too... I was wondering why foreign trained students haven't written their stories.
DeleteAlso a new segment about transitioning to naija like the poster suggested would be great!!!!
DeleteGood for you! Like your disposition and you will do well! Good luck. Enjoyed your story. Pray my kids will act this way too!
ReplyDeleteTamunomiete
Stella stella
ReplyDeleteI like the story
I can imagine BV tetrina speaking britico.
ReplyDeleteThe expression will be so sweet
Awww nice story
ReplyDeleteI will send mine too ijn(Amen)
coming...
Lil @ wicked witch of the West. Nice syb. I enjoyed reading this.
ReplyDeletesweet story..this one no get wahala...
ReplyDeletefor some life is just so easy..sweet story...and i guess getting a job wont be that difficult for you too...i love your gist
ReplyDeleteNa so life be. It's well. Lovely story😊
DeleteNice!!! Shay vacancy dey your dad's company? Abeg hook us up.
ReplyDeleteI had one like you when I was serving. Her mum came to camp with her. She even brought 3packs of bottle water.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha
DeleteShort, swit & simple!
ReplyDeleteNice story....
ReplyDeleteDry!
ReplyDelete#Age is no guarantee of maturity*
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteMideAde
This was quite a boring narrative! Plus there was emphasis on the "accent" in almost every paragraph rather than sharing the fun part of NYSC.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteFellow BV's I am a University graduate but presently unemployed. I need a small loan or grant to be able to grow my small diner to a big fast food restaurant... Any amount will be appreciated. I believe empowering me will also help take lots of people off the street and feed families.
Big up to you girl
ReplyDeleteMe likey
ReplyDeleteSee me smiling as if I am seeing you lol. I have a feeling you're a nice and humble person from your narrative. Can we be friends.😂😁
ReplyDeleteStella the writer gave a good suggestion about a segment of people who returned from 'the abroad' most of us may have funny stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteYou try aunty way get Britico accent.
ReplyDeleteY'all wait for my SYB...coming soon
ReplyDeleteHello Poster, how are you doing? I am job hunting, I have a first degree in Public Health (4.3/5.0), previously worked in the bank as a Customer Service Officer and now work in an engineering firm in the same role but it's time to grow.
ReplyDeleteI am job hunting,kindly view my profile and message me
If she had done d full camp thingy... Dem for hear britico accent moaning too....lolzz
ReplyDeleteNo gbenshing ke? that your camp boo was def gbenshing a "more serious person"
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone really gbenshed in my camp but then I cld be wrong. He wld have had no time to cos we went everywhere together n if he was, all well and good for him. Hahaha. Thanks everyone for the lovely comments xx
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOmg. Thanks guys for the lovely and not so lovely comments.@stella I wld definitely try calling probably this weekend xxx
ReplyDelete