This article is prepared to teach you basic tips on how to survive in the NYSC orientation camp. I believe it will help you a lot for your NYSC Orientation camp exercise.
Your NYSC orientation camp experience can be the best moment of your life, and it can also be your worst moment. So, it depends on how you prepared yourself for thw jurney ahead.
NYSC orientation camp exercise only last for 21 days, and you can fully enjoy it if you choose to.
As for me, I enjoyed every bit of it. So, In this article, I will give you a few tips on how to enjoy your stay in NYSC camp.
Tips to survive in the NYSC Orientation Camb
The following are tips to survive in the NYSC orientation camp;
1. Registeration
As soon as you get to the NYSC camp, make sure you register immediately. Some camps will give you an accommodation before registration, while some will give you an accommodation after registration.
Once you are done with the physical registration, you will be given NYSC kits, which include 7/7 (khaki, crested vest, a cap, a belt, a pair of jungle boot, a white snikers), two white round neck t-shirt, and two white shorts.
Note: It is very likely that you would be given sizes that will not fit you. What you need to do is to either look for someone to exchange with or go to ‘mammy’ market to adjust you kits.
Make sure the mammy marketers don’t bill you high, because if you are not careful they might charge you up N2,000 only for slim fit.
During my time, I slim fit my trouser with N500, but they collected N1,500 from novice otondo. That’s part of the little expenses you will make while in camp.
2. Bed Space
Once you have been allocated your bed space, try to clean the place and put your bed sheet on it. Relax for a while and then get up to start enjoying the camp life.
3. Photographers
You will meet many photographers in camp who would want to make you a customer. So, take as many pictures as you with your NYSC khaki.
You can also have a deal with one photographer, so he will give you a tag to identify you. One you have the photo tag, he will snap you anywhere he finds you.
So, don’t be shocked to see a picture of yourself doing a funny thing.
4. Swearing in ceremony
What you will meet in camp will be preparations towards the swearing in ceremony.
Get involve in the parade and some other things as early as possible.
5. OBS (Orientation Broadcasting Service)
There is a group in camp which is called Orientaion Broadcasting Service (OBS). It is a radio station in NYSC camp.
You can join OBS but the competition to join them is usually so high to the extent that you might write a test interest. Those that join OBS are usually post to towns.
6. SAED (Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurial Development)
There will be several lecture sessions in camp. Please, make sure you attend them. You will greatly benefit from it. Take SAED very serious.
7. Man O’ War Drills
Man O’ War drills will also be part of the experience. Make sure you take part in it. You will have opportunity to train your body. I learnt real life experience of what those trainings stand for. Don’t worry, they will explain what each of the drill means to you.
8. Marshal Arts
Hmmm, the Marshal Arts guys. Those ones can shout for Africa. They will be doing all these war things. You can join them if you like them too. But for me, I ran away “sharperly”.
9. Other activities
There will be several activities in camp. Some of them include football competition, drama and dance competition, debate competition, Mr Macho and Miss NYSC, Athletics, carnival, etc.
10. Religion
You will have the opportunity to go to Mosque on Fridays and Church on Sundays. I advise you to worship God very well in camp. It is an experience to have.
11. Mammy market
Mammy market is an experience I will never forget so soon. It is a market inside NYSC camp where everything rocks. You will get everything you want in mammy market.
Pleasure, enjoyment and entertainment is guaranteed at the mammy market. But make sure you don’t waste your life there.
Get more focused on the reasons why you are in camp. I used to go there to eat and sometimes watch football. Just maximise your time there.
12. Soldiers
Soldiers are very friendly only if you obey the camp rules. I can remember the time I met the Camp Commandant in mofty.
He asked me to go back to my hostel because I was putting on bathroom slippers.
Bathroom slippers are only allowed few perimeters from your hostel. Ladies, beware of male soldiers.
13. Medical Doctors
PCMs who are medical doctors will probably enjoy the most. They will participate less in most of the activities in camp.
They will be in camp clinic most of the time. Sometimes, they do nothing there than to sleep. If you are a medical doctor, please maximise your time on camp.
14. Early Morning Parade
Every morning, there will be general devotions, morning meditation tips, and announcements.
After which there will be Man O’ war drills and parade (soldiers will lead this). I still remember those moment especially our late platoon commander.
He died shortly after the orientation camp. He will shout like something else. He likes me when I lead the parade. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
15. Camp thieves
One of the reasons why you have your waist pouch is to keep your valuable items like phones, wallet, purse etc.
Please, guide it jealously. Make sure you are always putting it on. There will be thieves among you.
During my time, two phones were stolen in my hostel; mine would have been the third but God saved me.
Do you have a question? If yes, use the comment section below.
This article brings back sweet memories.
Was their SAED during the 90s ??
What existed if there was no Batches or Streams???? During the 90s
Was their SAED during the 90s ???