Nigeria goes to bed!

Nigeria goes to bed? ?

NB: This episode won’t make much meaning to you if you haven’t read the previous ones — please kindly do so before you move on.

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Morning came finally on Thursday and I got up.

Realizing I was in Abuja, I grinned widely.

A chance to explore (I thought) .. wooohooo!

I read my Bible and said my prayers.

Checked on Sis C, she wasn’t shaking all over anymore.. phew!

I thanked God for the relief.

*Don’t think I remember what happened next at this time, but I’ll jump right to when I was about to leave the house.*

I told Sis C that I’d like to go out to make some enquiry on the bus I’ll be joining to Gombe State the following day.

She called a few people for directions and told me to be careful and, of course, return early.

I left the house and strolled to the junction before stopping a bike to take me to NNPC junction Kubwa.

I just remembered that one bike man had played me "wayo" the previous night. He collected double the fare because he had sensed that I was new in town and he could take advantage of the JJC 💔😪.

When I arrived at the junction, I located the spot where I was supposed to board a cab with other passengers to Yanya.

We had to wait until the cab got filled with passengers.

I stood and observed.

I saw some female Corps members who passed me and they looked beautiful in how stylish they had dressed.

I noticed some women and how they wore their very long hijab with covered faces and only a tiny space to see. I looked on.

My observations: Abuja isn’t as rough and ruggedy as Lagos 🤷.

I checked the time and discovered that we had spent about 40mins waiting.

Oh Lord, I was losing my patience 🤦

But finally we got a complete cab and set out immediately. I sat behind and close to the window with 2 other passengers, while one man sat in front.

As soon as we were on the way, I admired the city, the beautiful mountains in sight, well tendered gardens, and every other thing I considered fine.

Abuja City
Photo credit: Internet  

I was still relishing the moment when I heard sobs. It was coming from a person right inside the car. I noticed it was the man in front.

His phone had just rang and he was on a call with someone.

Mind you, this is a very grown up man dressed corporately and probably on his way to work. I wondered the reason for the tears.

Then all at once we knew what it was.

His beloved father had just passed on that morning.

By this time, he was crying more profusely while still talking on the phone, not even minding the others who were around him.

At that point in time, all I wanted to do was just reach out with a pat on the back to console him.

It was my first time seeing a grown up man cry publicly and unashamedly. I was sure this really broke his heart.

He finally ended his call and wiped his face. We all spoke reassuring words to him and told him everything will be alright. Soon after that, he alighted.

We journeyed on until we finally arrived in Yanya. I got down, asked a few questions from someone and got on a tricycle (keke) to take me to Mararaba.

I got to Mararaba, but the keke man stopped me at the market. I asked someone and from his explanations; it seemed like the actual park I was trying to locate was still ahead.

I decided to utilize the opportunity to look around the market first before continuing. All the stuff I saw fascinated me.

When I was done with my walk around, I moved on to the park and asked questions.

I met someone who was quite helpful, and he gave me his contact information to reach him when I’m about to leave the house the following day. I thanked him and said my goodbyes.

I wanted some more time to look around, so I crossed to the other side of the road and walked in the direction of where I had come from.

It was then I remembered I needed to get a diary which I purchased.

This diary was my closest pal throughout my service year and it’s from it I’m able to pull out these stories to write to you all.

To cut the story short, I finally took a cab and returned home.

Prepared rice that evening, did a little bag arranging for the next day and retired for the day.

5:00 am on Friday

I got up, said my prayers, and prepared to head out.

By 6 am, I was already at the junction where I was supposed to board a cab. Spent about 25-30 mins there before the car finally moved.

Arrived the park and found the man I had collected his contact from the other day. We exchanged pleasantries and he helped me get on the next moving vehicle.

Looking at the faces of the fellow passengers, I wasn’t at all comfortable 😪. 

It was then I met Seun and then Valentine. They had posted both of them to Gombe and were on their way to the same camp.

I was happy at least to have them on the same journey as me.

We finally left Abuja around 8:20am. I made a few calls to some friends and relations and settled in properly for the journey Up North.

I enjoyed staring out at the window and seeing all the wonders of nature.

It’s a beautiful sight to behold (I’m a lover of nature💙).

I blessed God quietly in my heart. God is the best of all Artists. His works are so jaw-dropping.

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  

                - Psalm 111:2

I can’t remember the number of times I slept on that bus. I slept, woke up, slept again, woke up and slept without an iota of care if anyone was watching.. lol.

We stopped for a brief stretch at Jos and everyone alighted to go do one thing or the other like purchase snacks, use the convenience, observe their prayer (for the Muslim brethren) etc.

After that, we continued again.

I checked WhatsApp and replied to a few chats.

At long last we arrived at Jewel in the Savannah some minutes to 6pm and they dropped us off just in front of the NYSC camp.

Seun, Valentine and I got down with our luggages and moved closer.

By this time, I was so relieved that I had finally gotten to the long awaited NYSC camp ground.

I rolled my box behind me as I approached a woman and some others who sat by the gate side to receive the new corps members.

It was then I heard the sound of some kind of trumpet (I didn't know what it was for🤷).

Then a soldier shouted, “stand still and don’t move! Nigeria is going to bed”

What!?

What was that? 😄

I respected myself and stood still, but I couldn’t help smiling while saying in my mind, “Karen, you’re in for it”.

I also remembered that Gloria had posted on her status the other day of how she almost got into trouble with a soldier because she didn’t understand the whole 6pm thing and was walking at the time.

After that, we had our covid tests taken, bags checked, and number tags given, then we entered through the gate.

 

21 days is a long time, but right there and then I vowed to behave myself till I leave. However, I didn’t remember this promise when I got caught for a misdeed 😪.

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P.S: Jewel in the Savannah is the slogan for Gombe State.

I instantly liked to think of myself as truly a Jewel in the Savannah the moment I discovered this 💙.

JJC - means Johnny just come (a name that is usually used to refer to a new person in an area)

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What do you think about my first experience in the North?

Did you ever know that Nigeria goes to bed? (This question is only for those who haven’t served as Corps members)

Have you ever been to the North? If yes, what was your experience like?

Catch up with my next episode once it is published by following this blog 😊.

P.S.S: I'm really sorry this particular one took a long time to come 🙏. I'll try to be more consistent this time.

Hope you enjoyed this one? 😘😘

Remember to leave a comment pleeeaasee..