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Memories. 1979. I got my NYSC call-up papers. Kaduna State. The Nigerian government flew me all expenses paid into Kaduna from Benin City. Until then, I think I'd traveled by air only once in my life.
From the airport we were taken by bus to Malali Village for one month of Orientation. Had a great time, a lot of drinking and socializing. I was in the drama club and the Palm Wine Drinkards' Club. I was popular with the girls, I think that they loved my clowning around on stage.
Our "bicycle advance" was 90 Naira. Our monthly allowance was 180 Naira. I had so much money, I did not know what to do with it. Random. I saved a lot of money from my NYSC stint and gave them all to my mother. I guess that was to repay mama for all her beer I bought on credit!
I don't much remember the point of Orientation, a lot of soldiers running around trying to make us march in formation. I hated parades, me and my two left feet. I preferred to go into the village with my friends to imbibe anything drinkable and eat street food. Life was good sha.
At the end of the orientation, they took us by bus to our stations. Mine was Kagoro. Kagoro Government Secondary School, a stone's throw from Kafanchan. I taught Physics, Chemistry, Biology, the occasional math class, and some English.
I left Kagoro for home in 1980. I would have gladly stayed behind in Kaduna State but in those days they didn’t employ non-indigenes. Had a great time, I learnt Hausa, fell in love with the food and the opekes, but I think now that the NYSC should be scrapped. What do you think?
