My Camp Journey 1

She made up for her lack of height with her body shape. I said, "Yes." "I was also deployed to that place!" With a smile on her face, she added.

She was so animated that I couldn't help but wonder what all the fuss was all about.

"When are you going to be travel?" she inquired. I said, "Wednesday."

"That's a hazardous move; did you realize camp ends on Thursday?" And you have to conclude registration on time," she continued, emphasizing the need of arriving early at camp.

She offered some excellent comments that prompted me to reevaluate my travel plans.

She informed me, "I'm going to camp on Monday." "However, camp doesn't start until Tuesday," I explained.

"I know, I'll just stay out in the camp, find a place to sleep, and start my registration on Tuesday morning." That's exactly what my brother requested." she stated

I thought to myself, "Wow, you might as well start going today." Why is there such a rush?

"I've been photocopying my documents since last week, my passport will be ready this evening, and I've finished my shopping."

Damn! She was so ecstatic! What does she expect to find at Kogi State?

It appears that I'm missing something. "Perhaps I'll be able to come to camp on Tuesday," I said.

"That's better," she responded, "but make sure you arrive on time." I had to inquire out of politeness, "You didn't tell me your name," .

“Ogechi,”. We exchanged numbers after I told her my name. She insisted that I stay and photocopy my papers. I declined, stating that I would do them after I had settled down.

I went to the park after we parted ways.

On Monday evening, as I was wrapping up some minor shopping I had made for myself, Ogechi called. "I'm already at camp," she exclaimed with excitement.

"Do you think you'll still be here tomorrow?" she inquired.

"Of course,"  I had made up my mind to travel the first day of camp opening after thinking about what she had told me regarding registration.

"It's so hot down here," she grumbled. "It's half past six and the sun is still shining." I could tell she was exaggerating.

I said, "It can't be that severe."

She insisted, "It is." "Under the sun, my hair cream has melted away," she says .

This made us both laugh. "Please come early tomorrow," she said, noting that it was "very hot here."

"I'll," I responded flatly, unsure how my arriving early would alleviate the heat of the sun over there.

I journeyed from my hometown to Enugu, where I was informed I could get a bus to Kogi.

I looked for direct buses to the kaba local government, which was where the camp was located.

There were no direct buses between Holy Ghost, Enugu to Kaba.

Idah and Okene, both in Kogi state, were served by buses.

I was advised I could take a bus from those locations to Kaba, but I preferred a direct bus.

I didn't know where I was going at kogi, so I wasn't prepared to make multiple stops before arriving at my final destination.

Another possibility was to travel through Nsukka. One of the 'agberos' at Holy Ghost told me that I could take a bus from Nsukka to Kaba.

I made my way to Nsukka. It was successful. There were buses going straight to Kabba, and many potential corp members were boarding buses to Kogi and the surrounding areas.

I was struck by the size of some of the prospective corpers' bags.

I couldn't help but wonder if it hadn't just been three weeks of wearing the same white on white outfit! What else are they squeezing into those gigantic luggage?

At the park, some people carried buckets with them. I only had my back-bag with me.

I didn't bring much with me. A file with my certificates and credentials, a pack of six white shirts, two pairs of white shorts, and my toiletries were all comfortably contained in the back-bag.

I was already wearing my white sneakers with my blue jean, which was also going to be my Sunday outfit.

Everything else has to be obtained at the camp. I got a call from Oge while I was waiting for the bus to fill up.

She called the second time within 24 hours.

"Hello, how are you?" I inquired. "I've started the registration process. "They have been primarily serving pregnant ladies and nursing mothers," she explained.

She said, "Where are you now?" "Nsukka, our bus is on its way."  "OK, safe trip, phone me when you get here." she replied and we hung up.

The vehicle was nearly full, and I watched as the driver and his companions struggled to load luggage into the vehicle.

Some had to be tied to the car's roof. I was in the front seat, next to a lovely lady.

She was engrossed in her phone and occasionally chuckled. I took a look at the phone's screen because it was large enough to look into it.

On the screen, I noticed the prominently stated Dailycrosswalk. She has to be a member of that internet platform.

I was curious as to what she was doing at Dailycrosswalk that caused her to laugh so loudly.

We got in the car and drove to Kabba. It had been a long trip. The automobile was packed with potential corp members who were all excitedly chatting.

At the back of the car, there was a loudmouth. He was quite amusing, as he continued to crack jokes as everyone laughed.

His classmates continued chanting akpos, so he must be well-known. "Make una make sure say una carry condom for your pocket," akpos added. (Pidgin english)

Someone said, "I hear dem dey dash condom for camp." "That wan na military condom, not a civilian condom."