Clarion called, and I obey

The journey to becoming a corps member is never as easy as people make it sound. From the moment we register for NYSC, our hearts are full of hope and expectation, waiting for that one message that will finally confirm we have been called to serve. For me, this waiting period tested my patience more than anything else.

After registration, I kept checking and hoping to see my call-up number, but nothing came. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Because of the large population, my turn didn’t come early. I found myself among the last set of people to be sent their call-up numbers. It was heartbreaking, frustrating, and tiring, yet I had no choice but to wait. Each day I encouraged myself with the thought that no matter how late it seemed, my call-up number would still come.

At last, after that long season of waiting, the number finally arrived. The excitement I felt in that moment cannot be described. I quickly started making preparations, thinking I could get everything ready and be fully prepared before my journey. But omo, I later discovered that no amount of preparation can make you completely ready for NYSC. I did my best to gather what I needed and to prepare myself mentally, and two weeks later, when the call-up letter came, I set out.

The journey was smooth, about three to four hours on the road. It wasn’t long before I reached my deployed state. My heart was beating with both excitement and nervousness as I began to ask questions and look for the exact location of the camp. And finally, I found myself standing at the entrance of the camp gate, tired, yet full of anticipation for what was about to begin.

(My deployed state environment)

When I first heard the phrase “obey the clarion call,” I thought it was just one of those official lines that everyone repeats without much thought. But now, standing here as a corps member, I know it’s more than that. It is not just a line, it is an experience. And now, I can proudly say that I, too, have obeyed. I just swore in as the latest otondo, and the reality is beginning to sink in.

Honestly, the journey to this point was not easy. The registration alone felt like a full test of patience. The crowd was massive, and the waiting was something else. You would stand in one long line, believing you were almost done, only to be told to move to another place. Then there was the heat, the confusion of where to go next, and the constant movement from one table to another. At one point, I almost gave up. My legs were paining me, and my head was spinning. But then again, I kept reminding myself that this was part of the process. If others could survive it, then I could too.

After the registration, I thought maybe things would get lighter. But the camp has its own way of reshaping you. The hardest part for me so far has been waking up so early. Back home, I wasn’t used to leaving my bed before dawn. In fact, I enjoyed those extra minutes of sleep. But here in camp, there is no room for that. By the time the trumpet sounds and the soldiers start moving around, you have no choice but to jump up and prepare quickly.

The first morning was the most difficult. My whole body felt weak, and my eyes were heavy with sleep. I kept asking myself if I could actually survive three full weeks of this. But slowly, I am beginning to adjust. Even though it still feels strange to be up and dressed before the sun rises fully, there is also something fresh about that morning air, the sense of being part of a larger group, and the energy of people moving together. It may be stressful, but it is also a new experience.

We’ve not really started playing games or having so much fun yet. It’s just been two days, and most of the time has been spent on settling in and completing one process or the other. But in the middle of all this stress, there is still a little joy. Meeting new people is one of them. I have already started talking to other corps members from different places, and it feels good to share our struggles, laugh at the confusion, or even complain together about how tough the soldiers sound. It creates a kind of bond, even if we’ve only known each other for hours.

The highlight for me so far has been the swearing in. Standing there, reciting the oath as a group, was something special. At that moment, I felt the weight of what it meant to be part of this service. It was no longer just about registration stress or waking up early, it was about being called to serve my country and officially stepping into that role. The joy on people’s faces was clear. Some were shouting happily afterward, some were taking endless pictures, and everyone felt proud to finally be addressed as “corper.”

Now, even though I am just two days in, I can already sense that this journey is going to shape me in ways I cannot yet explain. It is tough, no doubt. The stress of registration, the challenge of waking up early, and the sudden change in lifestyle are all very real. But at the same time, there is excitement about what lies ahead. The laughter, the shared struggles, the stories we will create, and the memories we will take home after camp will all make it worth it.

For now, I am just taking it one step at a time. I am learning to cope with the early mornings, reminding myself that I am stronger than the stress, and holding on to the joy of being part of something this big. I may be tired, I may still be adjusting, but deep down, I am proud.

So yes, I have officially obeyed the clarion call. Registration stressed me, camp is reshaping me, and the journey has only just begun. I just swore in, and as the latest tondo, I wear my khaki with pride, ready to see what the coming days will bring.