The fear of travelling was the beginning of my wisdom. Each time I remember this I am about to talk about, I just smile at myself. 

My first NYSC call up was for Batch B stream 1. I was super excited like a woman who just put to bed. I had packed my bags like 5 days before the arrival of call up letter. Hmmm! Nobody in my house would hear themselves anymore because of my desire to obey the clarion call. Phew!, this was the sound of my tiredness after unpacking to pack and running around not to forget a thing. Little did I know that all these could actually be bought at maami market. 

Now, the day is here! Excited! I was ready to wear the khaki and the boot. I logged in to my portal with my heart pounding and skipping as I begin to scroll down the portal like I was expecting a miracle to automatically change the portal to my desired location. After so much wait and excitement, I was eager to pack that day to leave for service. Silently! My heart was shattered, disturbed and all I could feel was uncontrollable rage that over shadowed my sense of reasoning. I was angry and scared just beholding the place I was posted to. My desire to obey the clarion call was over in a twinkle. So many questions began to erupt in my mind with noone to give answers. I could have sworn to ask NYSC officials if I had seen one. "Why weren't they thinking of youths safety?", "Why are they negligence of the happenings in the country?", "Is it a must they throw people that far?", so many question. 

A day to the call up letter, I had read a terrible news on the state I was posted to. My friends and families were scared for me travelling that far to Enugu. There was one person who encouraged me to go on the journey. After so much pleading to go, I bluntly refused. I said to myself, "my life and safety was paramount". "I will not and never travel to Enugu where there are so many happenings without the government concern". I didn't obey the clarion call for Enugu. Even when I tried to find a way around it, it still came out futile and everything seems to be crumbling. My desire was to camp in Oyo state and I told myself, I will be back. 

I decided to register again for Batch B stream 2. I was ready to do anytthing just to achieve my aim. With the peace of mind that my desire would be met, I went to bed each night with a smile. I worried less and kept packing the bags and adding more items but I was still cautious of the fact that I needed to travel light. 

On this faithful Sunday evening, 13th of August, I was told that the call up letters were ready. I was less bothered because I had this confidence that my desire was met and I didn't have any reasons to disturb my head. I had excitedly informed my family. I picked up my laptop to check it out. This time, I didn't waste much time. I opened the portal immediately to download and print it out. But rather, tears were printing me out when the same state appeared on my portal. I remembered what my mum said, "I guess this is where God wants you to be. He will surely protect you. Dont worry, you will go and come back safely". I looked at her, took her words as encouragement and I turned to God to seal my journey because its obvious this Enugu will keep popping up. 

The next day I began to search google for bus fare from Lagos to Awgu. I searched on Libra motors and I saw that their fare was fair enough. I had no choice. I booked a sit. On the day of the travel, I had arrived early to the park at 6:30am. They really need to upgrade their services. We didn't leave Lagos until 9am. But the driver was nice. On the journey, I met few corp members who were also going to Awgu. We became friends. We arrived in Enugu at 10pm and Awgu was a no go area at night due to hoodlums. Lol!! We had to sleep in the park. Although it was safe. The next morning, we made our way to Awgu. My luggage fell off from tiredness. My hands were weak and hunger was my second name. We arrived at Awgu camp. It was indeed an hill. Damn! My legs were aching me. 

My friend and I immediately set into our room and we were the first people to pick a bunk space. We did our registration and the camp journey began. 

Then I began to see the beauty in NYSC. I saw the aim so clearly. This was to build a nation where we can unite in love and prosperity. In my room, we had different tribes, Niger, Nassarawa, Osun, Cross-river, Imo, etc. It was indeed a beautiful representation of who we are as Nigerians and what we stand for in unity. My platoon was cruise and fun but there were days we collected wotowoto from our camp commandant. I loved our RSM, he was fun and yes Kolo the every morning drill. I miss Mr Michael our camp Director and our State Coordinator Mrs Adama.I played volleyball and amongst other things. NYSC is really a way to make we youths see beyond our differences but to embrace the beauty of Nigeria culture and prosperity. It was really great camping in the East. These are memories to cherish forever!

Please, let us embrace ourselves, we should live in peace and harmony. We are one Nigeria. Our uniqueness is the diversity in our cross-cultural heritage and its very beautiful. ONE NIGERIA! ONE PEOPLE!