Thread by @prof_Luwabi

THE CHRONICLES OF ADE
(NYSC DIARY II)
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I enjoyed my stay in NCCF family house in Ihiala. The Excos were very friendly, loving and accommodating. I began to covet being posted to Ihiala for the care.

My host, Bro Oni Timothy, advised me on how to stay safe in NYSC camp. He advised me to display my journalist and editorial skills at the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS). This discussion fueled my intent to give my best in the course of the 21 days.

I embarked on the journey to NYSC camp, Umunya, Anambra state very early on Monday morning. From Ihiala, I boarded a vehicle to Onitsha to link up with Awka busses which would pass through Umunya camp. But something very terrible happened.

As I was alighting in Onitsha, there was sudden pandemonium everywhere as some group of masked men were shooting sporadically and robbing on the highway linking to Awka road. Brethren, it wasn't a lovely scene to behold. Even Ade ran for his dear life into a mechanic site.

After a few moments of stability, I rushed into the vehicle conveying me to camp and couldn't remember to negotiate the tfare. I ended up paying #500 instead of #200. At last, I got to Umunya camp in Oyi local government, Anambra State safely.

New entrants were asked to queue for luggage inspection and this continued for a while. Immediately I was screened, I was given state code with number 0049. The next was to change to white short and vest with the NYSC crested face cap. Now Your Struggle Commences (NYSC)

I remembered that I needed to be relevant on camp, so I proceeded to OBS at the pavilion and met a young man called Bayo Ariyibi, who came to set up the OBS for we, the new corps members often referred to as CORPERS.

Bayo asked me to chill for a while and do necessary registrations before joining the OBS. Not long after, we were asked to assemble for briefing by the NYSC team where they introduced their officials and camps protocol.

It wasn't long after the address that the soldiers marched into the field and commanded all white fowls (corps members) into patrons and for parade. Brethren, I lost the feelings of having feet that day.

When I couldn't cope with the match past anymore, I ran back to Bayo in the OBS pavilion and we began work together. I was asked to develop news stories being the only person who had shown interest in joining the OBS.

I did the first news broadcast on camp immediately after the national and NYSC anthem on Tuesday morning. The NYSC PRO, Mr Oyegoke was full of praise for me and Bayo. That singular act attracted many corps members to enrol into OBS and it became a very hot centre of attraction.

The increasing number birth 4 Departments in OBS: News, Programmes, Marketing and Technical departments. I was made the HOD of News, Ricky Ayele from Uniben headed programmes, Ochuko managed the marketing while Femi Adesanmi from TASUED headed the Technical department.

I was in charge of choosing news casting and editing. I also helped other units whenever their HODS were busy. I ran commentaries during inter platoon competitions in a very comical manner. This earned me the attraction of the NYSC Awka Zonal Inspector, Mr Kalu Orji.

In all fairness, I wasn't the most influential HOD in OBS but I wouldn't rest until all went well in the OBS pavilion. Ricky, the HOD Programmes, was a commedian. He alongside Amadi anchored the welcome party and this put him ahead of all of us in the area of popularity.

Something unexpected happened after the welcome party. Bayo called for a meeting that he would be leaving the OBS for us to manage since we have been used to the modus operandi of NYSC programmes and daily activities. As such, there would be election for OBS President and Vice.

The permutations began among the would be aspirants. Meanwhile, Bayo never told anyone the criteria or process of the emergence of the President nor did he mention the day or time of the electiom. But corps members from Federal universities began to permutate among themselves.

I was on my way to NCCF on Saturday morning when I received an emergency memo to summon all news crew for an emergency meeting at the pavilion. On getting there, Bayo announced that he would be departing that morning but would hand over to the new OBS President before leaving.

This sent shivers down the spines of political gladiators. Bayo called for nominations and surprisingly, Mfon Bassey nominated me first. Then Amadi nominated Ricky while Bayo nominated Damilola, a female from the Technical department.

It became a battle of News, Programmes and Technical Department. The three nominees were asked to excuse the entire gathering. I was asked to vote for any of us.

I gave my vote to Ricky because I believe he would win due to his popularity. Damilola voted for herself while Ricky also voted for Damilola so that she can emerge as the Vice President. The votes were taken but the results of the elections shocked all of us.

Ricky had 1 vote, which was the vote I gave him, Damilola had 5 votes while I (Ade) had 57 votes. I couldn't believe I won.

I looked around and saw everyone rejoicing at my emergence. I couldn't fathom the reason for my preference. But I could say that dedication, hardwork and commitment earned me the post.

A lot really happened on camp after I emerged as the OBS President.
Morals: Whatever your hands finds doing, do it dillingently. Let's do this next week. Follow me on Twitter via @prof_Luwabi and I will follow back.

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