Some Disclosed Realities by Salaam Rasak O.
Dear avid readers, it is largely indeliberate that my consistently two-day interval column was not consistent in recent times. I might seems to have fallen short of productivity, but I think I should still be commended for mustering efforts to providing few articles within the past three weeks.
Contrition! However, the past three weeks seem to be more of a portrayal of reality - full of fun, discipline, arduous tasks, interpersonal relationships, jollification. It was an annotation of how individuals could thrive in an ever challenging environment.
Against the backdrop of the foregoing, let us make a witty appraisal of the times with the view of drawing pressing lessons for each other. I was posted to Okada Camp, Edo state, for NYSC orientation camp. Our sensories were full of life as the day (April 19th) to the orientation camp drew nearer. All roads led to Okada camp as Prospective Corps Members (PCM) fell in from different walks of life. Pronto! the orientation programme commenced.
The second day was a gathering of Platoon 10. We had a family meeting with the Platoon officer, Mr Rotimi and he raised the point of electing Platoon leaders. Fast forwarded, I vied for the post of Platoon leader alongside there aspirants. Without self glorification, the vibrancy was unimaginable. Fellow members asked: ‘where are you from? From which institution and co.?’ The rest is history. I thought I would win on merit, but was shown the importance of money politics. I came second with 47 votes while the winner came first with 57 votes. Members were dissatisfied with the results. It was not only manipulated but financially induced. Thereafter, they went ahead and instantly declared me as the appointed Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) and jubilation rested on the faces of rational voters. #9JAPOLITICS. - #LESSON #VALUE.
Camping alongside soldiers was very tasking and uneasy. So much pressure, corps members in other states could testify. Batch A 2018 Edo camp was a composition of two major tribes, Yoruba and Hausa. Most of the northern corps members do not choose Edo as their preferred state. So also some South Westerners. But the game of relocation began. Unbelievably, my room (Integrity) filled with over 70 Northern corps members was left with not up to 20 of them at the point of Passing Out Parade (POP). Meaning, they have relocated even before the camp ended. Two, they assisted each other while Yorubas were there wrangling and struggling. Even, some of them that could assist were unwilling. #MANIPULATION #LESSON #ONELOVE.
Let's step forward to the meals provided for the corps members. It was authoritatively gathered that N1, 500 was the feeding fee of each corp member per day. But it is more particularly unfortunate that the quality of foods offered was substandard. A once corp member could testify that N1, 500 is more than the three square meals offered. Nevertheless, we ate it. It gave us strength for 21 consecutive days. #DISTORTION #LESSON #ENDURANCE
Thereafter, it was a day to passing out parade when corps members will be given posting letters. It will shock your credibility that some corps members have seen where they were going before the day. Even, they handpicked where they were heading to while some without backbones were sent to Villages. #INEQUALITY #LESSON #STAYCONNECTED.
Lastly, in some hours to the closure of the camp we were handed our paltry allowance N19, 800. As some kept theirs in order to enhance survival for the next 35 days, others extravagantly spent it on social vices (fornication, alcohol, gambling etc). The last straw that broke the back of the camel was when a female corp member approached a man at the POS. She attempted to deposit N35, 000. Many people became awed and asked impatiently how she garnered such whooping amount of money. Tacitly, she said, the 35k was a proceed of N1, 400 transport allowance, N1, 800 bicycle allowance and N19, 800 and some other money she could afford to save in camp. Yet, her meal ticket was neat, unmarked and white as snow. She, among other females, is a prey. #EXTORTION #LESSON #BEWISE.
In general, Edo camp was a very educating, entertaining and eye-opening encirclement. It is more of blessings. Importantly, a lot of lessons therein we should all imbibe.
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It will shock your credibility that some corps members have seen where they were going before the day. Even, they handpicked where they were heading to while some without backbones were sent to Villages. #INEQUALITY #LESSON #STAYCONNECTED.