The Lens Magazine Aug. 2017 | Page 83

The Soft Issue
Story from Outside
August 2017
Experience
what most of the occupants did. Took my bath in a makeshift bathroom and
I rested on my bed to await the sound of the bugle by 5AM. I had not been
given any kit, and since I was not kitted, I could not attend the morning
devotion on the parade ground. I sat alongside other prospective corps
members, whom had also not been kitted, on the pavilion. After the morning
devotion and drills, I proceeded with my registration which will enable my
collection of meal tickets, full khaki regalia, two white tops and shorts which
became our uniform, one white tennis shoe and two white socks. I couldn’t
participate in the swearing-in ceremony because the kits available had been
exhausted and another batch had been ordered from Abuja
I joined the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS), the media section of
the orientation camp the second day of my arrival. Members of the OBS are
exempted from camp activities—we could participate if we wished. I chose
to be the photojournalist and I handled the camera throughout camp.
A typical camp day begins at 5:30am for morning devotion, national anthem,
national prayer, morning drills and exercises, after which we go for breakfast
at the camp’s kitchen. Some corps members prefer to patronise the food
vendors at the camp market. Because the NYSC ration cannot fill the
stomach of a five year old, not to talk of full-grown adults.
The dreaded period for every corps member comes after breakfast time,
which is when the lecture period began. It can last over four hours. Corps
members often doze off. But it is usually the most important time of the day
because it is when vital information is passed across. After lectures comes
lunch and siesta, followed by sports and martial arts period. The most
anticipated period of the day is usually the social gathering from 8PM to
10PM, where social activities takes place and talents are being discovered.
10pm is usually lights out and no corps member is to be seen outside their
hall, expected to be on bed, and should be quiet after that time. Those
corps members that defaulted were made to sleep on the parade ground
till morning by the soldiers.
The climax of the orientation camp was when we were to receive our
posting letters to our various places of primary assignment. Friendship
made over the past three weeks might end due to postings to different
locations; relationship that started during the orientation exercise might be
lost. I also lost one of such friends. There is no network reception in her local
government, communication was hindered.
©Fakhuus Hashim
I presently serve in Ibadan in the office of the Commissioner for Information,
Culture and Tourism, and I hold the position of Head of Training in my
Community development Service (CDS) group which is Editorial CDS, tasked
with the responsibility of publishing a bi-monthly newsletter “Periscope” and
a bi-annual Magazine publication of “Oyo Kopa”.
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