Bismillahir-rahmanir raheem
Prospective Corpers.....
NYSC ORIENTATION CAMP PREPARATION
MIND PREPARATION
You need to prepare your mind that you are leaving home for a regimented life in the camp. Life in the camp is deliberately made stressful so as to prepare you for any challenge that may confront you outside the camp.You will not find it too comfortable, it' s a camp and not your house! Just be ready for anything....
ITEMS YOU WILL NEED
1. Very Important Ones
a. Statement of Result
b. School ID Card
c. Passport photographs (10 pieces)
d. Call-Up Letter (DO NOT laminate it please).
NB: Get 5 photocopies each of items A,B, and D above along with originals...
2. Important Ones ( For your Convenience)
a. Two or three white T-shirts and shorts (You will be given two sets but may not be enough for you in 3weeks).
b. Two or three sets of socks and a white rubber tennis shoes or canvass.
c. Bathroom slippers and Dettol
d. A plastic bucket (You can buy it in the camp) and a permanent marker.
e. Sponge and its case, bath-soap and detergent
f. Bedsheet, towel and two pairs of casual wear, (and a mosquitoe net if you feel like) Just have them for Sundays and Fridays.
g. Waist bag (very very important for housing your phones, ID Cards, Handkerchief, biros, etc)
h. Small-sized Torchlight/ Rechargeable lamp (small one please)
i. Cooler (not a party cooler please) cup and spoon. Fork is not allowed
j. Ladies could add any other few conveniences. I believe you understand me.
k. Money! Money! Money! Hold good cash depending on how you spend...
GO EARLY!
Even if the camp is on your street, go early. If you are posted to a far state, go the day before the camp opens. They will allow you in. Going late will make you go through registration stress!!!
SCREENING
It starts at the gate. They dont want u to bring in prohibited items like iron, knive, heater, fork etc.
REGISTRATION
The first one is for hostel/ bedspace. Then the paper registrations proper. Make everything ready. Look out for information pasted on walls. Follow instructions strictly...
YOUR KITS
During the registration, you will get your kits - shirts, shorts, etc. Use the marker to write your State Code Number on them. You will be given a meal ticket. Misplace it and forget about NYSC food☕...
DURATION
You will be in the camp for 20 full days. The 21st day is the day you will leave camp...
THERE YOU GO!
Immediately you have your kits, only your T-shirt and shorts with the tennis shoe are allowed on you. No room for casual wears. Parade/ marching training starts immediately. The soldiers will not give you breathing space at all. You will have the first one that same Day One...
YOUR MORNINGS
A small trumpet wakes you at 4:00am. Everybody gathers at the Parade Ground at 5:00am. You have your praise, worship and prayer the Christian and Muslim ways. Till the day breaks finally, breakfast follows!
After eating, you will be called out again for the series of programmes lined up for you. Then you have your lunch. Rest a little and you are out again for evening parade. Then later your dinner. This will repeat itself everyday perhaps except on Sunday...
SOLDIERS
Hmmm, Obey them pls. They can punish you. No walking, its all jogging when they call u. Dont prostrate or kneel down greeting a soldier. Do it the soldier way. They could be friendly anyway. Be wise!!!
ALLOWEE
Your first allowance will be given to you in the camp cash. All other ones will be through the bank. You will get Bicycle Allowance.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographers are ready to snap you every minute. Manage your cash...
NOW, YOU ARE ABOUT GOING OUT OF THE CAMP YOUR POSTING
You will be posted from the camp to where you will work. The place you work in is called your Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). Hear this: most Corpers, I mean about 90% of the Corpers will be posted to schools (especially primary and secondary schools). Only VERY FEW will be posted to the universities, polytechnics, colleges, ministries and parastatals.
Please! Don't lobby for your posting. Don't pay ANYBODY for assistance. Pray rather than pay... Receive the shocking or expected posting as you receive your letters with joy. It's a clarion call to service; that's what we call it....
GOING OUT: TRANSPORTATION
When you get your Posting Letter, the first place to go to is your PPA.
Please, when you leave the camp, 'home-sweet-home' will be on your mind, having been used up in the camp, but please, don't go home straight. Please! Very few of your employers (i.e. PPAs) will send down vehicles to convey you from the camp to their work places... Commercial transporters will likely be available at the gate too...
ACCOMMODATION
You don't know anybody in Gusau, Misau, Awka, Jalingo or Ekiti! Where will you sleep on the first day? The Muslim Corpers' Association of Nigeria (MCAN) and Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship(NCCF) will give you a TEMPORARY accommodation pending the time you will HAVE TO GET YOURS. You could be lucky if your employer gives you a room... Many of them don't give Corpers accommodation anyway. So be prepared to rent one at your cost. Your first 'allowee' which you received in the camp is already going down!!!
REGISTRATIONS
This is why you don't have to go home straight. Your registration at the NYSC Office in the Local Govt you will be posted to, is important. Failure to complete it before going home is the beginning of a Corper's cup of tea. You may begin to have problems with your subsequent monthly allowances. Do all registrations first. Then you can take permission to go home...
