Iyana Ipaja meets Ada

Lagos Stream 1 guys...I ve never know so much stress ever ooo...

Please feel free to ask me whatever you need to know sha...

To avoid all the stress, I came a day before camp official starts on Tues 5th.  There were other people there too that came on Monday 4th for the same reasons as me. 

So I instantly acquainted myself with them and made new friends.  We were outside (under a canopy of course), till 9pm ish when the accomodation official came out to "take pity on us" and "house their guests"...so we were allocated rooms.  26 people in a room...2 people to a bunk.  There were 6 of us in our room at the time as the first room allocated was filled up. 

It was nice just having 6 people sha (until the next day)...and I ll leave that there

Registration was hellllll...and this is the best way to describe it.  I call it organised chaos.  Too many process that are completely repetitive and could have been avoided if planned effectively. 

 I queued in one line for up to 3hrs ...line was not moving...officials had too much power going to their heads...but I remembered to just bite my tongue ..don't get their attention for the wrong reasons.  

Drilling/parade was even worse sef...My feet were swollen from all the standing and your left feet especially from all the "Attention".

"...under the sun or in the rain" - part of the NYSC anthem...well, let me tell you to be ready to practice what you sing.   ;D ... But they are being a little nice though and yesterday when it started raining, out physical training was cut short and we were sent back to the hostel.  Absolute Bliss!

Cherish any little time you have to grab some sleep within the first few days (I.e. If you are tired...if you are not tired, feel free to spend all YOUR time at Mammi market).  Your body does start getting use to waking up at 3am/3.30am after a few days though. 

Do not go out to parade late ooo...The soldiers were nice for the first day or so but after that, some people were made to do frog jumps and squats while holding onto their ears for being late!  Do not let this be your portion...lol

Please feel free to ask me anything else....my brain has so much going on right now...call it "Information overload"...but I go try respond to any questions sha.

Feels like forever

Ok Guys,

I know I ve not updated for a while.  Still waiting for my call up letter.  Soooo fraustrating. Definitely feels like forever.  Just really need to get this thing over and done with.

Since I'm not even sure anymore about all the influencing or "knowing someone" ...I just hope and pray I get posted where I actually want to be posted.

If I get posted anywhere in the North, I'll pack my bag and go serve in my village! Shikena!!!

Even Lagos is not safe from the BH-mites now sef!

Anyway

Stay tuned and show your support my leaving a comment or two...or do something to show me you were here!

Much Love 😘

Trust no-one but yourself and God

Ok...
Before I got to Nigeria, I shared my NYSC plans with a handful of "close" friends and/or family.  Some disagreed with the idea right from the start.  Others encouraged me to do it.  Some of my friends/family that were in Nigeria even sounded eager to help with "postings", and subsequent jobs or business opportunities, etc...

Change is constant!

I just could not let my change go ooo... I am now unemployed and every little helps.

So I enlisted the help of my little cousin to escort me to nysc office for a 2nd time.

Don't worry...I did not just set off to go get the change.  That would be a "penny-wise, pound-foolish" moment.  I also wanted to change the state I was due to collect my call-up letter from FCT to Lagos.  Hoping to travel to Lagos in a few days and it makes sense to just get the call up letter from there rather than coming back to FCT.

First time in Abuja and I really don't know what the hype is all about...lol...

Physically...Physically

Ok.  Attended nysc office for physical verification.  It was suprising ly organised.    Except for a few things I had not scanned on properly and was told to go and re scan them at a nearby printing office. 

Staff usually had a face on them until you start smiling to them and they generally ease up.  I didn't know anyone there but found people you were nice to generally tried to help you through the next stage or get you in through a long queue. 

I was also one of the first to arrive at the office for verification.  One lady even called me "number one"...truly laughable!

Just make sure you have all the docs they asked for and scan it all properly to avoid unecessary delays.

The printing office was very helpful too. He scanned and uploaded my docs to my nysc page but it came with a hefty 550 naira price.  And he had part of my change and told me to come back later and I forgot to go back!!! Money down the drain.  I cannot afford to be losing money oooo.

Anyways, that s the day done. Now told to wait till few days before the actual camp is due to start for call up letter collection which will be at the secretariat instead of the head office. 

MIA

Sorry folks...

Not had the chance to update you.  Just running around trying to get my flat in order.  I have to move out of this place in 3 days!!! Oh dear...

Still got lots of packing and cleaning to do so...will be MIA for a few more days and then will give you the low down.  

White Goods

 Ok,

In order to get through my NYSC orientation camp in one piece, I figured I need "white goods".  I have called them white goods and it is obvious why that is.  See photo of the white goods after the cut.

In addition to the khaki uniform handed out, you get given the white goods too and shoes however I have come to realise (from friends, websites, etc).  I have learnt that sometimes the items you are given are hardly your size and you just have to take what you are given and try to batter with other people to exchange for the correct sizes.  

My plan is to buy a pair of each white goods and the "bum bag" or "fanny pack" (as our American cousins will call it.  I will buy 2 or 3 as I dont intend to spend everyday washing clothes.  At least washing once a week should be ok.   I would not want to buy Louis Vuitton ones though as they are likely to get very very dirty quickly with the heat and mud and everything.  So my advise is if you can get them really cheap...Do!

 I'm sure I can get them very cheap at those "cheap" stores in the UK.  Not naming any names joor...Afterall they aint paying me to endorse them...(Yes, Already thinking like a 9ja business head...do you blame me?)  Hehehe!

18/06/14

Update on white goods

Well, managed to get like 3 white tops in a pack for like £5, bought 3 white shorts costing maybe £20 altogether and 2 pairs of white canvas shoes for less than £10, a bum bag...can't remember the price.  Bargain!!! If I don't have use for all of them, I'll sell them in camp (need to start thinking of ways to make money o) but it never hurts to have more than you will actually need.  

Will get the rest (like pillowcases, bed sheets, etc) from here (naija) cos you wouldn't want to lie in someone else's cooties now, would you? 

Online Registration

Dear Otondo-lites,

Ok,

Started my online registration about a week ago.  I think the registration opened for foreign graduates a week before Easter.  I can't remember now but I know that I could not register immediately because once you click on the registration form, the first box you are confronted with is to choose a date you would like to physically like to attend Abuja to present your documents...Sounds confusing?  Ok let me explain

In the Beginning

Ok.

I have seen a few "diaries" online instructing foreign graduates on how to go about registering for NYSC in Nigeria.  I must say, those blogs have truly helped me and given me 10% preparation on this on-coming task.  Yes...I refer to it as a task as it is not easy, having spent almost half my life abroad, I do not think it is an easy feat re-locating to Nigeria to live there for 1 year and complete NYSC.

I am use to all the comforts in life.  Don't get me wrong, I am not rich by any means and neither am I from a "rich" family but when you live in the West, basic things and comforts in life are just a given.  I know that basic amenities ARE NOT a given in Nigeria.  With the inconsistent light/NEPA, water, etc etc.  You know what I mean.