Serving my father land is part of my goal in life. I wanted to have the experience and everything about it.
I got to Ikare-Akoko camp exactly 4:30pm . I was so tired of the journey itself but I was a little bit relived that I was standing in front of Ikare-Akoko camp. I took in a deepest breath that I haven't taken in a while. I never knew that getting to Ikare-Akoko would take me this long. It was then I realised that my journey just started.
I took my load in with my fellow "to be corp members. We trooped in, looking so exhausted and a little bi excited . Mere looking at me, one could tell the look of excitement on my face.
Immediatel we entered the gate, we were welcomed by some decent and tired security men on duty post. We were posted to different security men and women to search our loads. The entire process reminded me of my university days and my first day in school.
The woman I took my load to was even tired to search my things. I myself was praying in my mind for her not to ask me to open my bag. She asked me what were inside, I told her and lo and behold I was dismissed.
Everything around me; people, surroundings , languages, infact everything in general seemed so strange to me.
Seeing the soldiers and some corp members on the parade ground tickled my heart. I couldn't explain the gravity of my excitement." Am i really in this camp?" I asked myself. "
We were directed on where to go first to be registered. We there and we were told the items to bring out for our registration. I brought all that they requested from me. Package them together and handed them over to the registration officer. He glanced through my documents and gave me this look that made me wondered what I did wrong. He stretch fort his hand, using his left hand and said; " emmm! Young lady! Please step aside. I took my documents, looking confused. I looked at my papers and everything was complete.
I was forced to ask him what was the problem.i moved closer to him and asked gibrishly ,he didn't even look at but he was able to respond to my question.
"You are not a serious person. I can see that you came here to tour the camp and leave afterwards. " He later took a second look at me and said; " did you go through your call_up letter? Did you come across where it was written that you should come with your original school certificate? But you were so excited that you came with your photocop; abeg shift let me attend to those that came for business". He said squinting his eyes at the documents on his table.
It was dawned on me that I have been lying to myself. I placed my hands on my head, I scratched my hair, hit my hair, I slapped myself so hard that I didn't feel the pain. I couldn't do anything at that moment. I was lost with thoughts; I was blank.
" What are you going to do now! "The girl beside me asked. I gave her a faint smile telling her that don't know what to do, and going back home was my first thought. My heart was beating faster than normal.Fear grubber me. I was looking round until my eyes caught some list of states where people will register under according to where they schooled.
I was relieved a bit. I went straight to the stand, I waited for the queu to reduce. I gave Him my documents and the photocopy of my school certificate was the last. I was really conversing with him so as to distract him. He signed on my call- up letter and wrote cleared . I was praying silently. Yes! I could say that my prayer worked for me. I ran as fast as I could before he realises. I told the girl that we came together that I have been cleared. She couldn't believe it . We left together in search of where to sleep.
The hostel we found was a nightmare for me. The bunk was already broken,; crying for help.The lady found here and could comfortably sleep on it. But mine was something I gave a deep thought for .
We left the hostel and toured round the female hostels looking for any available space, all the efforts was in vain. No one told me to take the space I saw before; half bread is better than none. I had to manage the bunk for 3weeks. I was scared that the bunk might collapse on me someday. I was always careful while climbing the bunk.
Initially I didn't see the bathroom.
When I settled down that evening, I wanted to have my bath, I fetched my water, and I saw some girls trooping in and out of one blocked building, with towels in their chest.
" This can't be their bathroom. I went
closer and it was the bathroom. I never knew that the bathroom was that way. It became another nightmare for me. I was asking my self some questions that I have no answer for. I was able to have my bath, sleeping that night took me time. It seemed to me like I was a prisoner. The room was jam-packed with loads and people with friendly, scaring and confused faces.
**the story is just beginning **
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