The beginning of the end

Hi guys, it’s been a while. Well I feel really happy today ‘cos I’m about to complete another phase of my life. I’ve been counting down to the end of service for a while now and it’s just #30 days left. So while waiting to get my clearance letter signed by my staff supervisor, I decided to do a vox pop. The post title seems a bit serious but bear with me. Enjoy!!!

Modupe

Modupe: It's not been easy, as there were times I felt like running away by thank God it's almost over.

David: It's been God, fun and a blessing to me. I've gained some good friends and hope to gain more.

David

Nnamdi: I'm feeling happy and free *hum- at the end of the tunnel, I can see a light shining*. Can’t wait to take off the rag/prison cloth. Someone can’t even travel freely, for what?

Nnamdi

Ifeanyi: It’s been swell, I’ve had an interesting experience with the people I’ve met and the places I’ve visited in and around Bayelsa.

Ifeanyi

David- *hums- I’m on top of the world.*

David

Tivhe: I feel good, it’s an experience I won’t forget in a hurry and won’t want to experience again.

Tivhe

Rebecca: I’m so excited, can’t wait to leave.

Rebecca

Tina: I feel alive

Tina

Me: It's like I'm about to win a lottery. I'm doing everything possible to avoid issues. I mean if I'm asked to swim in a lagoon I'll definitely do it (as if I can swim sef) as long as I get my discharge certificate 2nd of July.

Me

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Tales of a corper shun (4)

Name: Abraham Oluwasegun Adegoke

School Attended: University of Lagos

Course Studied: Mass Communication

State of deployment: Abia State

Initial reaction to posting: Indifferent mostly although I would have preferred somewhere closer to Lagos at the time.

Camping experience: Good enough, generally

a)Happy moments: Working at the Orientation Broadcast Service was the bomb for me. I did loads of writing and editing. It meant I could stay up way past night out time on a few occassions and I kinda enjoyed that. And getting to listen to stuff I had written being read on the parade ground was a thrill. I loved the early morning drills too!

b)Boring/sad moments: Those long, never-ending lectures were downright boring. Sad? None that I can think of.

c)Funny moments: I had loads of that in my dormitory. Picture a scenario where you have about four or five natives of Oyo state with strong accent gisting and sometimes 'yabbing' (a random, unlucky fellow) in Yoruba. And that's on one end of the hall. The other end had guys from the south-south, themselves funny characters, who most times got into it with the Oyo peeps because of the language limitations. The result: downright explosive nights that extended well till midnight sometimes. You just couldn't get to sleep when those guys were in groove, that was frustrating atimes though.

Place of Primary Assignment: It's been an experience indeed. I was posted to a private secondary school. In a way, I was looking forward to the job. Afterall, I had not done any formal academic teaching job until then. But, what I met there was downright depressing. Majority of the students were extremely poor. As poor as an SS 3 student not being able to read properly. And I was given the unfortunate task of teaching Literature-in-English to students like that! Of course, that was just a reflection of the school's standard. Here, students don't fail. Honestly, it took me a couple of weeks to shake off my depression. I've been teaching English and Lit-in-English and I've enjoyed connecting with some of the kids. I've been frustrated too by the depth of ignorance some of them possess. Most of all, I've enjoyed those times I succeeded in helping some of them understand a lesson...what blissful times those were!

CDS group: Editorial/Press group. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have chosen the press group. I had been doing press-related work for over 6 years at the time and I wanted to try something else. But that wasn't to be, I ended up in the Press group. Anyway, I ended up talking too much, quite uncharacteristically, at the meetings. At least I talked enough to have to pull a stunt to avoid being made president of the group. Don't ask me why.

Accommodation (How easy was it to get a place): My employer had that covered. He got somewhere better than I had expected.

Cost of living: Just slightly lower than it is in Lagos.

One year service, is it worth it?: I think so although there were times I wished it were over and done with. I'm sure it's gonna fit into a larger picture.

Final words!!! You would have to wait a couple of decades to get those.

Congrats to 2015 Batch A on their swearing-in ceremony today. Meanwhile the countdown is still on.....#56 days to go.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment. Contact me via email: tahray01@gmail.com for feedback.

Tales of a corper shun (3)

It has not been easy doing this 'cos some of my bigheaded friends have refused to take me serious....*wipes tears. Ees not fair, anyhow sha we'll be fine. Thanks to this 'beta pikin' for agreeing to do this. Enjoy reading!!!

Name: Akintade Katherine Oluwaseun

School Attended: University of Lagos

Course Studied: Accounting

State of deployment: Benue State

Initial reaction to posting: I was first told by a friend that it was Borno, which made me sad and happy. Sad 'cos I had to go to the North for camp and happy 'cos that was automatic redeployment for me. When I later found out that it was Benue, I was indifferent 'cos I wanted God's will.

Camping experience: Camp was just there. I made friends.

Place of Primary Assignment (Experience there):   I was posted to teach in an almost non-existing school which made NYSC boring to me because there were just few teachers and students. I later got a new PPA which made me realize teaching can be fun tho stressful cos you have the opportunity to impact lives.

CDS group: Entrepreneurship Development CDS group.

Accommodation (How easy was it to get a place): Getting accommodation wasn't a big deal because one can get the cheapest houses in the community I was posted to. Just #1000 per month.

Cost of living: Benue State na, #FoodBasketoftheNation. Food stuffs aren't so expensive, tho some other things can be so expensive.

One year service, is it worth it?: I really don't know if it's worth it but I expected much than I've received.

Final words!!! It's been God all the way

So I'm counting down to end of service. #61daystogo

P.S: If you'll like to be featured, holla at me via email. Merci beaucoup

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a comment. Contact me via email: tahray01@gmail.com for feedback

Tales of a corper shun (1)

Hi guys, as promised in my last post I'll be having a couple of my friends share their NYSC experience. This is the first in the series. Enjoy reading!!!

Name: Scott, Mary Adeola

School Attended: University of Lagos

Course Studied: Mass Communication

State of deployment: Oyo State

Initial reaction to posting: Pure Joy!!! That I FINALLY get to leave Lagos! Dad was tough though; said I would go nowhere if it's not Lagos. He finally agreed sha.

Camping experience:

a)Happy moments- Chai! They were few o! I couldn't wait to leave the place; I was passionately involved in the countdown thingy. The few happy moments I had were when I was in the hostel with my bunkie, when I got hot water from Mammy to make tea and when I got my posting (I'd been DREADING a school posting).

b)Boring/sad moments- Boring moments were definitely when I was still being forced to march and those early morning drills. Lectures would have been on this list but I made sure I went with ENOUGH novels.

c) Funny moments- Hmm... Did I have funny moments in that place? Maybe watching the social night performances ... And of course the dramas in our hostel. It was also funny to see peeps engaging in one activity after another just for posting. I had a friend who was marching, very active in fellowship, playing volleyball, dancing and was in the band! Some ladies went as far as sleeping with soldiers...

Place of Primary Assignment (Experience there)- I love being in my PPA. I was posted to the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State and I work there as a Reporter. I go out a lot courtesy of the job; I've even travelled out of Ibadan a few times. I also get to meet dignitaries and that's cool. More than all those though, I enjoy the opportunity to practice my profession. It's really fun!

CDS group: Editorial. We work on the production of our newsletter, Periscope and the magazine called OyoKopa. Again, I get to practice my profession.

Accommodation (How easy was it to get a place)- Getting a place didn't take normal procedure for me. A friend of mine who was also posted to Ibadan got a room through family connections. The place is close to our respective PPA's so we share the room.

Cost of living: Cost of living in IB is definitely lower than Lagos where I come from. In fact, I fell in love with the place. It's also less stressful unlike Lagos.

One year service, is it worth it?: Wow! For me, it is! I really needed to be away from the comfort and reliability of home. I got to make some decisions that gave me a glimpse of what RESPONSIBILITY meant; I saw things in a new light. Here I wasn't really plagued by the Daddy's Girl syndrome... it's really worth it

Final words!!!

No final words abeg *winks* I'm out!

Kindly visit her blog HERE. Thank you for your time.

Tales of a corper shun (2)

Remi

Name: Shajobi Oluwafeyi Remilekun

School Atended: Unilag

Course Studied: Insurance

State of deployment: Lagos

Initial reaction to posting:

Well.... I had a feeling it would be lagos, since  someone that worked with NYSC called my dad that he saw my surname. So I wasn't really surprised.

Camping experience:
a)Happy moments: Camp was fun. well.... Since I'm a happy person, there was no special happy moment. Okaay, I guess, it would be all the time they paid any allowee.

Remi(right) and his friends

b)Boring/sad moments: No sad moment at all. I don't even think there was a boring moment. Maybe when I was down with fever, I was so scared it was ebola. I had to act like nothing was wrong, so people won't run from me. Lolz.

c)Funny moments: When we went for Man O war drills; as some "fat babes" were trying to their drills their trousers were just ripping off. Also while marching on the parade grounds, some people's Khaki trouser would just tear.

Place of primary assignment (Experience there): My PPA experience has been pretty cool so far. I work in Amuwo-Odofin LG. I have a nice boss. Working there is quite flexible, there are also 'funny' people in the local government. I also get to meet interesting people.

Community Development Service group: I'm a member of the band cds group. I joined cos of my love for music. I don't talk in my CDS group, so I don't really have friends there.  It's fun still cos we get to meet new corp members and train them on the drum sequence for slow match and quick match, NYSC and national anthems. We also perfom at rallies and interhouse sports when called upon.

Accommodation (How easy was it to get a place): I live with my parents.

Cost of living:  I fend for myself even though I stay with my parents, and you know how the cost of living in Lagos can be.

One year service, is it worth it?:
I think it's an experience, one that could come in handy sometime later. Who knows where I would need any of the little things I've learnt. Others might see it as a waste of time. It all depends. Yeah.... The allowee is also one good part of the NYSC.

Final words: I just always have a nudge to maximize every moment of my life, and that's what I'm trying to do here.

Thanks 

Hope for the beloved

The last few days have been the busiest for me. I've been searching tirelessly for my name on coke bottles and also getting points in the candy crush saga. Now who says those are not serious tasks, try them out and you'll understand the struggle.

What inspired this post was seeing these so called bottles filled with engine oil and patiently awaiting buyers. I almost wanted to check out the bottles if any of them had my name on it, I would have bought the oil (joking apart).

So it's election day; be calm, go out to cast your vote if you have your PVC (chai, I don't have..... *covers face).  If I were to vote I'll choose GEJ for continuity, GMB should just chill till 2019. And then Jimi Agbaje, I mean he promised free WiFi network in Lagos State. Y'all know it'll save us subscription money.

I'll be featuring a couple of my goons currently serving in various parts of the country. Watch out!!!

Vote wisely!!!

Stay calm!!!

Keep calm and eat fufu, it's my birthday

A long time ago (not so long though), this young madame was born today *smiles*. It's been twenty-two years as a matter of fact. (Gosh, I feel so old already....). Nevertheless, I owe my existence to the Supreme-being 'cos He's the only one that would have done this.

This time last year, I was having my final exams.... I just had to pass the course I wrote on my birthday excellently well because, ahn ahn is it easy to be in the exam hall when I should have been having a nice time with my friends.

Well, between my last birthday and now, a lot have happened. Not forgetting happy moments (seeing my final results, convocating, getting a job...); and of course the ugly moments (my experience in NYSC camp, I thought I was serving a jail-term...lol, twas fun though), the laughter, the tears, the down moments, the sweats, having to tussle with MTN .....

I'm so grateful to God for my parents, siblings: Piriye, Doubra, Eben, Marve (my baby boo). My twinee: Tolu Akinsola (she's always been there, at all times... Just name it), I love you dear. My friends (I won't mention names, so I don't get spanked for any omission.

It's so going to be great today, find your way to Bayelsa if you can 'cos there's enough to munch n sip. *grins

Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional. I choose to grow up.... Happy birthday to me