Just like the chanting and gonging of the chief priest, I woke-up to the voices of people around my compound, with their eyes fasting on a young Man saying to one another, "When will I put on this KHAKI?! When will I be valuable to my society?! When will I experience orientation Camp?" I jumped to my feet and I caught sight of young man on NYSC KHAKI like a king of the highest empire in his glorious custom. People overshadowed me with their chanting and hailing, ADJUWYA! ADJUWYA!! And others, KOPA WEE!! KOPA WEEE!!!
"KOPA's wee..." Humm..., I was short of words when another from behind shouted, "OTONDOS...and saluted."
Just like a magic I watched seeing young and old struggling to touch his KHAKI, others were struggling to see him, I stood deep down in me longing and praying for a moment when I shall put this magic ware too.
Like the sweet voice of woman in the honeymoon, the Joy of my CALL-UP-LETTER Hits me by the chest and changes my perspectives and ideologies towards life as I was preparing my mind to meet people from different ethnic groups.
Before this wonderful journey of serving my fatherland, I began to imagine when I will put on this so-called NYSC KHAKI that I have been longing and hoping, how I valued and adored it to come to reality.
Just like time flies, it came to reality. I was fully ready and could no longer wait for one more day to put on the magic-ware as I love calling it.
A call for patriotic graduate to serve my fatherland, I didn’t have any exciting state in mind but I was trusting God for a blooming state with less cost of living and just like the twinkling of an eyes, it was time for me to check my deployment and to my greatest surprise, it is Taraba...Humm, I turned like the snail in its shell in Frying pan, a nostalgia kind of feelings came upon me, it was pleasant but tangled with sadness because it is time to pack my bags and leave home as Taraba calls for service and for the fact that I never wanted Taraba State.
Three weeks in camp! Parading, lectures and man 'O' war drilling felt like Guinness ultimate search…searching for the right mindset both physically and mentally preparing me for the journey ahead, this was my fate!
Oh my gosh! I can't leave my comfort zone and stay in a strange place for three weeks. No, it can't be possible!
Hmm..., wonder shall never end; this journey is not even the three weeks in camp but one year of serving my nation.
Ha...! My joy knows no bound since the day I joined the endless queue in camp to receive my kits and begin the journey with camp activities.
All eyes were on me as I drew close to collect our long-awaited kits...
hmm..., just couldn't wait to jump into the magic ware and receive the glory...guess what, I was dangling in my magic ware like a fly in cobwebs, yet, I was so excited that finally I am a KOPA.
The 7\7 was like the crown of a royal king full of Honor, dignity and value, yes, it is truly a magic ware; too original to be reprinted and too special to be wore by an illustrate. As we were always told ‘It takes a graduate to wear the magic-wear NYSC KAHKI’.
On the parade ground we were assembled like the host of angles; in the drilling we were like the warriors of old, and in the lectures, we were like Kings and queens.
The magic ware undergone processes which make it more valuable than gold.
I just can't forget the bugle and whistle of the army (that unforgettable sound like the bell of the catholic calling for morning devotion) with all the KOPAS I have met, no one ever loved that sound for ones as it pierce through the heart of corps members in their moment of sleep.
NYSC orientation camp is really a domain where different kind of personality form different part of the country host for this better sweet three week, watching and participating either partially or fully in the activities. We were chanting and dancing in the sand with our white on white like dove calling a trending name "Otondos"... We make friends, we agree and disagree, and we had experience, the fun, and lessons we learnt worth memories.
After getting acquainted to the camp activities and friends, now, the excited weeks draws to an end, to some camp was like a prison that they were wishing it comes to an end and for others it is like the guard of love and they never wants it to end.
I learnt a lot, I came in contact with different kind of people, as a social and easy-going type... I got really aquatinted to camp activities from the parading, lectures, SAED programmes and the list. Some make friends, some got connected hmm..., little wonders, some fell in love and make their marital decision... I sat on my favorite spot listening to my own breathe as the songbirds call for the evening, I wondered countless times why NYSC KHAKI? And what about the color couple with honor apportioned to it? Then, I reminisced as everything flash my mind that the same color made up of Nigerian flag, which the white symbolizes peace and unity while the green representing agriculture. While won't NYSC KHAKI not be the center of attraction?! The corps members represent the country absolute in dignity, peace and unity, what a wonderful color combination.
Now, the fear of posting came strongly like the wind from the valley and peace everyone off, friends got separated...Hmmm camp lovers were parted what a tragedy...!
The whole camp is thrown in the air for the unending hugs and farewell of friends and lovers with ocean of tears flowing through the gate...
Hmm, I nod my head in fake acceptance as fear could not allowed me open my posting letter and check where I have been posted to, fear grips me the more as I saw some jumping for Joy and others frown, I knew I was in a big trouble until I summon courage and turned the letter over...guess what! It is Frontline news Jalingo, the state headquarters. Frontline News... we die here…
I was privilege to go out to cover events hmm..., Public administrator is now a journalist in the making wow... what an opportunity! I Got to different offices and meeting dignitaries, I got use to Jalingo, I got to meet other corps members, my landlord Baba Obama, is another father I never imagine existing, honestly, being part of the editorial and publicity CDS was amazing and a great family to me, work was awesome and demanding, Taraba is nice as "Nature's Gift to the Nation" the people were very caring and loving especially seeing you on your magic ware "NYSC KHAKI" gives them joy and they sometimes stretch out their arms to you.
Like the bell of a timekeeper, the pendulum of the clock swing again and in no time this beautiful journey is coming to an end, for some time I paused and wishing I could turn back the hand of time and keep the moment going endlessly but time disappointed me...
Now, one thing at a time, the rumors of passing out parade was the real corruption and biding my friends Goodbye was heartbreaking and worst moment I ever had. Nevertheless, it didn't stop the celebration... The light of the Cameras were like lightening in the raining season as it keep capturing, congratulatory messages were pop-up, calls keep sounding, social media couldn't keep low, pictures keep uploading and people keep chanting and hugging with open arms and wave of Goodbye polluted the atmosphere…Oh My God, dropping the magic ware "NYSC KHAKI" was the most difficult task I ever had taken. I wish I could continue wearing it like my Xmas clothes but the magic expired on me and I have to pull it off.
Now, life is taking us on another journey to the new phase of life... favor market we go!
To the wonderful friends I made during this service year, I say thank you for being part of my life, to my CDS family, I say thank you for the love, impact and teaching me the spirit of selflessness and dedication to duty, To NYSC, I say thank you for giving me this one year opportunity to serve and understand the necessity of service. It wasn't an easy journey all through the year but it was amazing and indeed an experience worth a while!
Idris Ehi
Tr/21A/0059
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