Journey to NYSC camp - UP NORTH!

 

I had barely 4 or 5 days to get my things ready and hop on to the next moving vehicle to the North.

By this time, all my siblings were aware of where I was posted to. Problem was now about my parents.

When I finally had the courage to do so on Friday, the rebukes and everything I got were not a surprise (I experrerit! 😅).

Long and short of the matter, dad agreed for me after much deliberation to only find my way to the camp but return immediately after the 3 weeks was over.

Issorite.

I started arranging my stuff for movement. By Monday I was already at my workplace to tender my resignation letter. 

I was leaving, yeah, but I really was going to miss everyone. The company gave me some money.

God bless them.

You need to see how I was so bold and expressed zero fear each time I told someone I was going to Gombe... lol

One thing you must know is that I’m someone who likes adventure. I couldn’t wait to explore this.

I really had never been anywhere close to the North before. I had not even visited Abuja.

This baby girl was going to the far ends of the Nation 😅.

I booked a seat with GUO online the night before my departure date, which was 31st August. I planned to leave on the 1st of September.

My call-up letter had stated Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 as the date of reporting even though camp was official starting on the 1st of September.

The interesting part for me was that I was going to be touching the soil of Abuja. 

Let me chip this in. Right from my primary school days, I longed for the day I would get to the much talked about Abuja City. I knew I would get there one day. I only waited for it to manifest.

I decided I was going to go to Gombe State by road and not by air. I had checked up details about the travel expenses and there was no way I could fund that, especially cos the bills were all on me.

Travel from Owerri to Gombe was 24hrs+ by road, which only meant two days! 

I had arranged for Abuja first, then I’ll continue the journey the following day.

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5:00am      01/09

Up North!

I left the house for the park. 

They slated the fixed time for departure to be 6:30am.

But you know Nigeria things naa, delay here and there.

We were there till 8am. The only difference about this now was that they compensated us with free soft drinks.

I was beginning to like this journey already 😄

I bought snacks to eat later on the bus. 

Minutes past 8am, we were finally on our way.

In a very short time, we were at Abia State and the driver stopped to pick a few people at their bus terminal there. 

This was where I met my travel mate, my sweet girl Precious!

Precious got on the bus with us from Umuahia. She was also heading to camp but that of Nasarawa.

Precious is a very lively person and beautiful, too. It didn’t take long before we got talking and vibing with each other.

The journey was so smooth and enjoyable as we journeyed. I really must give some accolades to the GUO team. Their transportation system is top-notch 👌.

I began staring at the lovely sight as we journeyed on. I loved to look at the mountains and the beauty of nature.

1st of September indeed was a turning point for me in my life and that’s why I can never forget that date. To think I had always been confined to a certain boundary.

But now it felt like I was finally let loose to fly and see life at the other end of my world.

I enjoyed the journey 😊.

We finally got to Kogi, and that’s where we stopped to chill a little. It was raining by now.

I remember that day like it was yesterday and even as I write, I can feel the joy and excitement I felt that day.

Have a look at what Kogi looks like 😊

Kogi State, Nigeria

Photo credit: Francis Tokede

Me and Precious stepped away to ease ourselves and purchase some edible stuff. 

Precious ordered hers and paid for both meals. 

(Precious, if you’re reading this right now.. I’m sending my hugs to you for being so friendly and kind to me even though we were just meeting for the first time 💙).

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We finally arrived in Abuja around 7:35pm or thereabout.

I bade Precious goodbye as I alighted. We promised to keep in touch with each other after exchanging contacts.

I was at Kubwa and had to locate the house of Sister C (that’s where I’m supposed to be spending the night).

I finally did and waited for her to return from church. Then we got in.

She wasn’t feeling too well at the time, so I had to settle myself with something to eat in the house.

I ate dinner and called Dad to tell him that I had just arrived in Abuja. Also called my other folks and family. I missed them already.

I ate, had a shower and was ready for bed, but I couldn’t immediately. Sis C wasn’t any better and couldn’t even eat.

It was at this point, Uncle E (her friend) called me to ask about the state of things which I filled him in.

He later asked that I not just spend the night but also stay the next day so I could assist her and help in any way that I could before leaving.

(Her roommate was supposed to return the following day).

I thought about it and finally agreed.

I asked if there would be no problem at all if I delayed my arrival at camp and he said it won’t be a problem.

The turn of events…

I was going to be spending a day in Abuja! Omoh happiness wan kill me 😅

I tried all I could for Sis C to eat but she didn’t.

I laid on the bed daydreaming about how I was going to explore the city the following day.

I was in for some adventure, God knows! 😁😁

Wait and find out how I spent the following day in Abuja.

The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path].

- Psalm 37:23

God has purposed some things strategically in your life, you only need to trust in Him and in the process.

Keep taking those steps as He leads you 🙌.

P.S:  In one of my posts subsequently I'll be sharing info about the necessary kits and documents you need to have while preparing for NYSC camp.

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