Hi, my name is Janet Reuben Okon. I am a writer, inspirational, lifestyle, health and wellness blogger, and human anatomist. In this blog post, we will discuss the Part 2 of my NYSC Camp Experience. Here’s a quick recap of Part 1 NYSC Camp Experience ⬇️🥳:
I wake up very early in the morning (or at midnight, i.e., by 2:00am or sometimes 1:00am) to bath because:
(1) When it’s about 3:00am or 4:00am, there’s always a queue at the bathroom and I don’t like queueing to bath because it wastes time.
(2) I like to wash my cloths in the morning before I bath so I have to wake up at midnight to do this.
(3) I like to have my daily morning devotion after bathing, arrange my things and sleep before the beagle. So, I have to wake up at midnight to complete my morning activities before time.
(4) If I don’t sleep after bathing, I will definitely sleep at the morning meditation ground and other meetings of the day (do you know that I developed a new skill at camp? Standing and sleeping 😭 when sleep is heavy in one’s eye during morning meditation, you do what? Stand and sleep 😭😂).
By 4:30am, the beagle is being blown, and I wake up to dress up. Some people prefer wearing their white polo and shorts to sleep, but I feel so uncomfortable wearing my NYSC uniform to sleep. I never tried it lol.
I never left the hostel without spraying perfume. I had my signature scent 😌. When I pass by, you just know it’s Janet! My perfume scent was incredible! My goodness! Because of these compliments I got in camp for always smelling good, my pocket size perfume is now an essential item in my handbag 🥰. A win is a win 😅.
By 4:30am, we are actually expected to be at the parade ground for morning meditation and if you are anywhere except there, you will get punished (most of the time, squat or crawl). Some people preferred to be at the clinic, it’s the perfect time to be there 😂😌.
Morning meditation starts at 5am with each platoon arranging themselves and standing in three lines. Christians start the morning meditation with singing gospel songs, clapping their hands, dancing, and listening to sermons while the Muslims worship at the mosque.
Then, the Muslims will join us for morning drills.
At exactly 6am, we wake Nigeria up while we stand at attention for the Nigerian National Anthem (what a patriotic citizen I am 😌).
The early mornings at Rivers State Orientation Camp, Nonwa Gbam Tai:
A cold morning and sunny day ⛅️ at Rivers State Orientation Camp, Nonwa Gbam Tai.
A rainy day 🌧 at Rivers State Orientation Camp, Nonwa Gbam Tai.
The voices of the corps members singing the military song give me chills 🥹🥹🤍. It just feels like we were in the army barracks. NYSC is truly a once in a lifetime experience because I know very well in my heart and mind that I wouldn’t live in a Nigerian Army Barrack. What a life!
Early in the morning, I love starring at the sky and the environment to admire the beauty of nature. God is a beautiful creator and a perfect example of consistency. He created the heaven and the earth and this is how it’s been till date and forever. Just as He created the environment and animals, so did God create us and breathe LIFE into us. We are truly a living testament of an excellent God. Check out my blog post on ‘consistency is key’, where I discuss deeply about the consistency of God.
I’m forever grateful to have captured these beautiful moments with nature 🥰. You know, my friend asked me what camera I used to snap my pictures and record my videos at the camp. I told her it’s my phone camera and she was so surprised ☺️. My aunt asked me if I went to camp with a photographer 😂🤣. In life, moments like this make me so happy and blessed to be a writer and blogger.
Morning drill is one of my favorite parts of camp life. I loved how I always loosen up the stress, sleep and tiredness.
During the morning drill, we exercised to the tune of the music being played. I really love morning drill because it was a time for me to dance and exercise. Lol!
Then, we are instructed to all go for parade practice. It was mandatory for all corps members 😂 and it’s an everyday practice 😭. But that’s the same time other units like Sanitation, Red Cross, SDG, etc. will hold their meetings and carry out their duties. Since I was a member of SDG, I was always at their meetings.
By 7:30am, it’s time for breakfast. I didn’t miss bread 🍞 and tea ☕️ days because normally, my body system likes it 🥰. I had other beverages and snacks to eat with it. Note: Make sure you carry enough beverages and snacks when going to the camp because you need to eat very well to carry out those tedious camp activities. Lunch time was 2:00pm while dinner was by 6:00pm. I didn’t miss their rice and stew with fish and jollof rice and chicken. They shared enough quantity of food but the taste was unbelievable! I actually struggled to have a good taste of food when I returned from camp 😭 but it got better afterward.
Let me be honest with you, I used to check the food menu for the day while we were having our morning meditation, it was an essential task for me 😂. I was selective of the food I ate at camp because I didn’t want to always use the restroom, my roommates called me “ajebutter” for this act 😭😂. I never ate beans, soup and eba/fufu at camp but my roommates will start their day with soup and eba with extra eba to satisfy 😭. My roommates didn’t play about their meals 😂, they cannot miss their meal time and we all used to eat in the room while we gist – one of the best parts of camp 🥹🥰. I had the most amazing roommates, they were the perfect gist partners and we used to have a daily recap of literally every activity that happened at camp 😂.
By 9:00am, we always have activities at the hall. Welcome to one of the most beautiful days at Rivers State Orientation Camp 🥰🥰🥰. On this particular day, we were told to meet at the hall to receive the Director General of NYSC as he was coming to the Orientation Camp 💃💃. Please watch the full video on @artoftruezeal Instagram highlight (NYSC). Thank you.
When he arrived at the hall, we were in awe! You know when they say a person is intelligent, handsome and worth the titles-that is the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu. He looked so good. OMG! I starred deep into his eyes 😂. God dey create o! We had a very long conversation with him about life, from the NYSC scheme (why it was established), how to build our financial life in this one year (this was a very transformative session for us) to how we can make the best out of our one year of NYSC. I believe this conversation will last me a lifetime because it truly transformed my mindset. This was the only time I didn’t sleep in the afternoon at the hall 😭, you just know I had a great time. If you ever attend Rivers State Orientation Camp for NYSC, I sat at Platoon 3 in the first or middle row for any hall activity. I didn’t like the last row because I didn’t like the energy, although there was constant air conditioning. I loved having active conversations about any activity taking place in the hall, the first row was perfect for social nights and the middle for SAED lectures or any other afternoon activity. I made new friends through these sitting arrangements.
Then, the Director-General of NYSC pranked a corps member for his birthday and actually ended up celebrating two corps members for their birthdays. We had a lovely time together. The birthday celebration was thoughtful and beautiful 🥰 He is so chill and that’s really surprising 🤣 because I know what I saw and experienced in the 21 days at Rivers State orientation camp 😭.
Finally, he gave some prize money to corps members who performed during his visit and then he bought cows for us. I was so happy 😂☺️
My darlings, I ended up eating only two pieces of peppered meat and a peppered pepper soup (this is the type of soup that someone can take and sleep in the restroom 😭).
We ended the day with movie night 💃. We watched a movie called STRAW. Maybe it’s because we felt tired, especially at night but I honestly didn’t enjoy the movie. It was so hyped then on social media, it was everywhere on the internet.
I still haven’t watched the full movie 😩. I’ll try to watch it again because my friends, family and the internet say it’s an interesting movie.
How can I forget to tell you how good I looked at Rivers State Orientation Camp, Nonwa Gbam Tai?
My darlings, can we talk about my signature nysc camp hairstyle, white on white, perfume scent, smile, laughter, outfit and beauty? When it comes to signature look, leave it to me because looking good is my business 🥰 Ikdr!!
Before I left for camp, I arranged all my white tops and white shorts just the way I’ll wear them at the camp. I didn’t miss looking good, not for a day! When you see me even from afar, you know it can only be Janet Reuben Okon!
My roommates would say, “Janet and her bum short.” 😂😂😂😂 I always dress so well. It made me enjoy documenting my journey and have a good time 🥰.
Let’s talk about my hair 😍😍😍😍😍😍
OMG! The iconic NYSC camp hairstyle! I spent a whole day getting this hair done and it was so worth it. It served me very well. I actually didn’t know that long hair is not allowed at Rivers State Orientation Camp, so I had to pack my hair for mainly parade and Man O’ War. I loved my hair so much and it just suited the occasion very well. When it comes to style, you can call on me and I will deliver 100%. I did a ‘what’s in my waist bag edition’ on Instagram, you should check it out. You will absolutely love it 🥰
After the movie might, I did a short, cute video because I had the most amazing, beautiful, sweetest, lovely and thoughtful day. I’m so happy to share my NYSC camp journey with you 🥰.
Thank you for attending a day in my life with me at Rivers State NYSC Camp (and part 2 of our NYSC series). Stay connected for Part 3! I love you so much! See you in our next part series. Enjoy and take care 💕
Happy Publication Friday, My Artoftruezeal Family 🥳🥳🥳
How has the second quarter of 2025 been for you?
”Every state that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that I have given unto you, as I said unto Moses” ~Joshua 1:3
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All my amazing pictures and posts on Instagram: @artoftruezeal
Contact+ Any questions, inquires or collaborations: okonjanetreuben@gmail.com
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Awwwn
You Dey really enjoy as government pikin
Congratulations ❤️🫂
Thank you dear 😂❤️
It’s a very beautiful and amazing experience of your NYSC orientation camp. This encounter is worth preserving in a book. Thanks dearest for sharing. Remain blessed
Amen, thank you. One day it will become a book 🙏🏽.