Preparations- All about NYSC camp

By now most of the 2014 batch B NYSC corps members are waiting for their call-up letters to reach their impatient hands. Hmm, because the fear of some boko-haramic states most graduates have prayed and fasted, insisting that they must be posted to areas where there are no bomb scares, but my people, Naija, na Naija jawe, anywhere dem post you, just go in faith, lols.

The essence of this post is to help some of us prepare for our camps before Monday next week, so carefully read this post, and thank me later by doing a word of prayer for peace to be stagnant in the nation.

I am sure by now several depressing questions will fill your hearts, especially graduates who are about to join the NYSC scheme but have no one to share some experience with them, well, thank God for this blog, your fears on how to prepare for the three weeks total lock-down in a military-like atmosphere shall be lifted after the perusal of this publication.

Please permit me to begin with this very serious warning, "DO NOT LAMINATE ANY OF YOUR DOCUMENTS", never ever try this, most especially your Call-up-Letter, I am practically on my knees. The challenge of a young girl is still fresh on my memory, she was unlucky to laminate her Call-up-letter, and it was a very big problem, the summary was that she was sent off from the camp to go and get another Letter, and maybe she will be re-mobilized into the next batch, but frankly speaking that will be very stressful, so please abstain from such plan, it is a no go area.

That being said, here is a list of some things you should provide for yourself before you arrive at the camp ground, as such services may be expensive or stressful if you wait to accomplish them on the camp ground.

A) PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH - Your recent passport photograph is an important document, it will be advisable for you to provide for yourself between 15-30 copies of your recent passport photograph on at least two-three different backgrounds.

B) PHOTOCOPIES - Please make sure all your documents like your University Identity card, Call-up-letter, Statement of result, WAEC/NECO results, Birth certificate and other supporting documents, I will advise you to make between 10-15 copies each, just to be on a safe side. Then you arrange them properly in different files or one file for easy perusal.

C) YOUR LUGGAGE - I received a lot of questions from fans of TatafoEfon on what to take to the camp and what not to take to the camp, well, here is what I will suggest. The truth remains that all luggage will be searched properly, it’s an important security check just to avoid issues related to terrorism and cultism, even though all seized items will be returned to their owners at the end of the three weeks camping experience, the stress and trauma behind the collection can be avoided. I will advise you to take a small luggage, as you may be unlucky to serve in some states where the soldiers instructs new corps members, aka "Otondos" , to carry their luggage on their heads and do a frog-jump or move slowly, if found in such Camp, your small luggage will be your saving grace.

The question boiled in your heart now is "What am I to take along with me the camp?", you must note that the three weeks camp experience is different from your 11months NYSC experience, so this is a list of nysctatafo's approved items :-

1) 4-10 white polo shirts (round neck)

2) 2-6 white shorts

3) 2-4 pair of socks

4) 1-2 pair of white canvas

5) A good food flask

6) Plastic spoon and cup

7) 2 Bed sheets

8) A plastic bucket (this is not compulsory, as you can buy buckets while in camp)

9) Your night wear and some church wears

10) Appropriate number of undies

11) All Your documents

12) A Torchlight and Toiletries

13) A waist bag (to keep your valuables while moving around)

14) Some breakfast snacks like Biscuits, Chocolates, Provisions, Flakes, etc. that is if you are financially buoyant.

14) Bible / Quaran

 It is crucial to note that any sharp object, NYSC materials(the ones you bring from home), glass wares, pressing Iron, multiple sockets, drugs, etc., found in your luggage will be confiscated. If the drugs are illegal, you could be arrested on the spot.

D) YOURSELF - The most important aspect of your preparation is on YOURSELF, yes yourself. You need to be ready for the three weeks quest; your preparation must be wholistic, i.e., Mentally, Spiritually. Physically, Psychologically, Socially and otherwise. You will meet annoying people, friendly people, irritating people or even egocentric persons, yes you must be ready for them and it will be beneficial to you if you portray a superb character and only make friends that will impact positively into your life.

I felt reluctant to push out this point, because I felt it won't really change anything, but then I have the mandate of sharing the truth and nothing but the truth. Please my great youthful minds, our future is very bright. To our Ladies, don't spoil yourselves by flirting with the soldiers or NYSC officials, especially in a bid to gain favour in being posted to the state capital or a good place of primary assignment (PPA), even if you are tempted, just hold on to being just yourself. Also its important to note that if caught in a sexual act, you will be chased out of the camp ground. For the boys, please spend on the ladies with care while having fun at the "maami" market, remember to save yourself some cash, I recall a friend who spent all his money, even the November allowance, fondly called "Alawi" by corps members at the "maami" market with friends, especially girls, he became stranded and solicited for funds so as to leave the camp, thanks to the camp director who came to his aid. Remember, a good name is better than gold.

In my next publication I will throw more light on surviving techniques needed during your NYSC three weeks camping experience. In summary, be prepared because it’s going to be a bit better than the Gulder Ultimate Search experience. Congrats on your next endeavour and Good luck, of course you will need plenty of God's good lucks in carrying out a proper preparation for this "once-in-a-live-time" experience.

Thanks.

Nwachukwu Prince C.O
Ffg on twitter @nellydozzy