Mobola Writes

Prior to the swearing in ceremony, I didn't bother to test my kit like everyone else did. I already knew it was going to be extra large considering my stature but I didn't envisage that I'd be given my great grandfather's clothes; the kit was nothing to write home about as it could fit in a person twice my size. Slim fitting it in camp was no option for me as the price was outrageous. I can't have a sewing machine sitting pretty at home while I waste my hard earned money here in camp for something that would not even be done to my satisfaction. Call me " alaroro ". I guess the Ijebu part of me came to play.  A day to the swearing in ceremony and I could not help but laugh at the tales of people who worked on their kit. It is either the right leg of their khaki trouser is longer than the left or one is bigger in size than the other. For some, there was no evidence of slim fitting at all as the trouser is still quite oversized. The D-day came and I proudly g

14th November Dear people, Today in camp was very interesting as I am getting used to the environment although I haven't gotten used to the camp food. Blame my tummy for that: it keeps rejecting the food.  As for the morning meditation, I would say it is not easy waking up very early and subjecting oneself to cold all in the name of serving one's fatherland. But do we have an option? The clarion call has been made and we need to obey. Guess what? I escaped the morning drill and parade today. No, I didn't run away. My platoon was scheduled for morning lecture so all we did was to sit down, listen and of course, press our phone cautiously like a thief. Ehn ehn! I must not forget the boring three hours lecture we had. I slept, woke up and slept again. At some point, I wasn't even listening because my comedian platoon inspector kept entertaining us with jokes. After which we went for break: the break lasted for two hours. Trust me to have catch some sleep. Baby girl was abo

Coping with camp activities did not come on a platter of gold as those who came before us were already indoctrinated and no one was willing to teach newbies like us. Needless to say, one has to fit in by studying how things unfold.  My first night in camp was not it at all. I had had my bath in the evening despite the cold and was married by catarrh all through the night. I kept sneezing and I couldn't help but raise suspicious looks from my roommates whose thoughts were channeled towards "is it covid". I had one of the shortest night. I woke up early, had my bath, dressed up and patiently waited for the sound of the bugle having heard numerous tales about camp routines.  The sound came at exactly 5:45am and all pcms filed out to the parade ground for morning meditation. As an alien, I was expecting that the meditation would start immediately but no, these people kept playing songs till 5:30am. The anger in me could not be quantified. I mean I could still be enjoying my s

Every graduate in Nigeria have an obligation to obey the clarion call compulsorily and I was not exempted. However, I chose to disobey the first calling of the clarion call. Not because I was special but because of certain things beyond my control. I am Mobola and I am here to tell my camp tales. It was not easy making such decisions. In fact, I would term it as one of the strongest decisions I made because the aftermath needed a strong mind to stand tall with it. Well, my decision came with opposition but I was not moved. I remember someone backbiting that I never finished school. Would I blame her? Not really. Let's focus all blame on my pro chancellor who decided to flex muscle. That's by the way. The second letter came and this time, there was no hidden place. I decided to leave the city of excellence to my camp station after a lot of preparation and consideration. Just like the popular saying "we move". The journey to camp was not an easy one. At first, it was fu