Unexpected Connections: Creative Non-Fiction

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My NYSC service year was nothing I expected—and everything I needed. After clicking "pay" on the online application, I waited. Then the posting letter arrived: Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State. A name I couldn't place on a map. A place I'd never imagined living. What followed was a mixture of fear and anticipation that pulled me in two directions at once.

For those who do not know, NYSC—the National Youth Service Corps—has been in existence for more than 53 years. It is a mandatory paramilitary program with a duration of one year.

Immediately, I went to get the list of materials I'd seen in the online NYSC group. I was told to resume on a Wednesday.

A day before my departure, I arranged all necessary materials. My mum said, "Joseph, won't you buy your favourite cocoa tea?" I immediately nodded yes. I had bought just a pack—which contained only twelve sachets.

Unexpectedly—truly unexpectedly—I saw her bring out two extra packs. My jaw dropped. "Thanks, Mum," I said, as I tucked everything into my bag.

Very early the next day, I went to the park. I could only watch as the car zoomed off. I saw my family waving. A feeling of sadness and anxiety set in.

A journey of several hours began. It was beautiful to see different Nigerian states. In the bus, I met someone from Osun State. Her name was Ashake. She was stunning and caring. When she said she was from Osun, I drew even closer, wanting to get her contact. My mum was from Osun State too. Hmm!

We talked, and she noticed the NYSC bag with me. "Are you going for your NYSC service?" she asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Corper wee," she added.

"Wah," I responded. It is a kind of greeting associated with NYSC.

She told me she was an accounting student at Osun State University. I became more curious and began to ask about the school. She said Osun State was a good university, but one needed to read really well.

Hmm, I thought. As much.

"What about the fees?" I asked.

She fumbled and said, "Hmm, it is quite expensive—especially for competitive courses like medicine and pharmacy."

I smiled. We looked each other in the eye. Then rain began to fall, diverting our attention for a moment. We continued our chat, and finally, we exchanged contacts.

"Finally," she said as she alighted from the bus.

We had kind of liked each other, but I prefer to date someone from my own religion. Don't mind me—it has become some kind of cultural thing.

On the way, I saw a bus that had dived into a ditch. Several people were unconscious. Those at the front had silently gone to the great beyond.

We gave a moment of silence as those people awaited the ambulance, which was located far away in the city.

I began to pray and just thanked God for journey mercies.

Soon, we got to Ikare-Akoko after spending ten hours on the road.

Ikare welcomed me with cold weather. I saw some people waving as they welcomed us into the town.

At the camp, I was checked, and my bag was also.

The camp was not looking ready for us. There were few facilities in place for such a large number of students. It was as if a second bazooka was directed at me. Not knowing that the lack of facilities was one thing, another was still coming.

During the period of waiting, I met Maigida Lazarus. I asked him to watch over my luggage as I went to ease myself. He did likewise when he was pressed. I asked, "Are you from the North?"

He said yes. He was from Niger State.

He was a tall and heavily built guy.

During camp one day, I was broke and had no money. Unexpectedly, Lazarus came forth and rescued me. He took me to the famous Mami Market.

We dined and ate together. It was really beautiful.

Lazarus took part in the inter-platoon Mr. Macho competition but didn't win. He told me to be bold and ready. He was a famous bodybuilder; however, he had stopped for a while because of his education.

Lazarus saved me many times during the orientation camp. And we exchanged contacts, building an unexpected connection.

Now, we are apart—he was posted to Ondo State while I was posted to Lagos State. On one occasion, we met Priscilla and Tolulope. We chatted and gisted. Tolulope was from Osun State, while the other was from Ogun State.

Initially, I exchanged contacts with Priscilla before finally getting Tolulope's contact.

During one of my conversations with Tolulope, she asked about me and my educational background. She also inquired about why I was shy in collecting her contact. Hmm, I wondered why it was like that... Though, I told her that I knew I was definitely going to collect it someday.

It was beautiful to meet different beautiful people.

Lazarus is someone that I can't forget.

All hail the famous Lazarus.

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Thanks for reading.

Bye!