On the 6th of December last year, we narrowly escaped an accident. Twice, our driver (one of us) nearly lost control of the bus. Lots of factors were at play: the bus had an issue, the road was as terrible as usual and the passengers (the rest of us corpers) were tensed at every bump.
Those two times, the bus made sudden extreme swerves to the surrounding bushes. The first time, our driver regained control of the bus before it ran into a ditch and the second time, just before we took a somersault into a tree.
It was serious tension in the bus; words borne out of frustration came flying out.
We were on our way to the Local Government Secretariat for our monthly clearance. The bus later died on us before we were halfway in the 2hrs journey.
A lot happened though we finally got cleared and came home.
But that trip taught me a number of things.
As we stood by that roadside stuck in the middle of nowhere, waiting for help, varying human behaviours played out.
While on that road, men of the Nigerian Police Force rode by in their pick up and we tried flagging them down, how ignorant of us. They simply smiled at us from inside, waved as they answered our plea with chants of ‘corpers o’.
We were distraught. If there was anyone supposed to help, shouldn’t it have been them?
We tried flagging down other road travellers but most just waved and passed. Let me not tell you above the elder from the “Corpers’ church” that acted in like manner. To say we were exasperated, is the least.
When all hopes began to plummet and frustration soared, an angel in the form an elderly man stopped to help us. He tried to help fix the bus, drove some of us(as much as his vehicle could contain) to the next town, brought a mechanic from that town back to the incident point. His very presence and help was a great succour to our weary souls. The bus didn’t later work; our journey back is another story on its own.
But the sacrifice of my fellow corpers that stayed back to help fix the bus, passed through the stress of pushing it, and eventually walked the dusty dry road while hoping for a vehicle that would convey them to the next town where we were, showed me communal spirit.
You see why I love these guys? We’ve been through a lot…
Plying this road again today, for INEC training and the month’s clearance brought back these memories.
I’m just a young Nigerian serving her fatherland in the strangest of lands.
You must have felt what it is to be stuck in a terrible situation; so please, next time you meet someone in one, and you can help, do.
Till next post, take care.
Remember you’re light, keep shining
I love you.❤
PS: I’m sorry for not putting up a tale last week; I was down, health wise, hence that.
E ma binu.
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