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They say “experience is the best teacher,” some years back I enrolled in  Boys Brigade Nigeria in my local church. It is one of the subgroups in the church that is saddled with the responsibility of grooming young boys to become god-fearing and disciplined.

I was around the age of thirteen when I enrolled. Every year, there used to be camps organized for the boys either twice or once. 

For most boys, that was the sweetest part of being in the Boys Brigade. In the GCC (General Church Council) camp, boys from different states across the nation would converge in a chosen location and be trained on how to become good ambassadors of the Boys Brigade.

Most boys long for that camp, as they would have the opportunity to meet with different people from different states, learn new things, know new places, and so on.

Lucky for me, a week after I enrolled, they started talking about such a camp, and arrangements were ongoing.

This time around, Benue state, Nigeria, was selected for the camp and it was going to last for a week. I spoke to my parents about it and they gave me their consent and paid for my registration.

Even though the church was going to take responsibility for our meal, our captain suggested we carry extra foodstuffs for our own good.

I was curious to have my first experience at the camp and to visit Benue for the very first time in my life. Day by day, I was checking my calendar for the day of our departure. 

Finally, it arrived, it was on a Sunday afternoon. I bought some snacks, bread, and other junk food, but most importantly, I bought garri (cassava flour). It is the most hyped food among boys in camp.

At around 2:00 pm our journey commenced. My curiosity was at its peak. I sat at the back of the bus, my eyes fixed at the window observing the environments as we journeyed.

The bandmaster raised a song and we joyously sang as the car moved. I slept and woke up intermittently and still heard some boys singing vibrantly. “Surely, these guys are used to these things,” I said to myself as I relaxed and dozed off again.

After what seemed like an eternity, I heard, “We are here boys” from a distance, I didn't pay attention to it, it didn't sound real, because I was far asleep.

But as the boys shouted for joy, I awakened, standing up abruptly like a man chased by a lion in the dream. I looked around and It was already dark, I think around 6-7 Pm already. 

Some boys were hugging each other, and some were discussing after we alighted. Being new to the system, I took my luggage and stood quietly at the school gate where we were having the camp just observing the environment.

Our captain asked us to wait at the gate while he went inside. Shortly he returned.

“Boys, gather yourself here,” he shouted. “Welcome to Benue State.”

The whole boy replied, “Thank you, sir," harmoniously.

"Please, I urge you to be on your best behavior as you go in. No going out without permission. You are here to learn and not to have fun, ensure you take everything seriously,” The captain instructed.

“Yes sir,” we replied in one accord.

“Now take your loads and follow me,” he added and walked inside.

We followed him into the boarding school, there was no light in the place apart from that of the moon. 

We walked a few distance from the gate to our lodge, a classroom having no door, and shattered windows.

I was so disappointed at first but when I looked around and saw the boys acting fine and getting a space to mount their mats and drop their luggage, I was comforted.

I also dropped my load and found a place to lay my mat. As soon as I got a space, I opened my bag and headed straight for garri and some biscuits, I was so hungry. 


Early the following day, after morning devotion and morning call. I was expecting to see food but nothing came, instead, we were asked to get set, and in an hour, we were going for a drill exercise.

I felt bad, “what in the world is this?” I asked myself. If it was at home, I would have probably had breakfast already.

But, it's all good, thank God I still have my provision. There was no hot water, so I opted for the one available, I made some tea and filled my belly, I even shared some with a few boys.

When it was time for the exercise, I fetched some pieces of bread and ate as we stepped out. On our way, one of the senior boys whom I  was cool with walked to me and said, “Emreal, this is just day one at the camp, and you are already lavishing your provisions? The secret to staying in supplies till you leave this place is waste not, want not.”

I looked at him and smiled, “Ovey chill, I have more than enough, you don't expect me to stay hungry when I have food. Ulcer is real, bro.” 

“It is just brotherly advice though, please give me a piece of that bread, let me help you," he responded.

We laughed as I handed one piece to him. We spent a very long time at the field doing the parade and learning how to beat drums.

It was when we came back in the afternoon, around 2 pm that food was prepared.

  I asked Ovey why they cooked so late and he told me that we would only have a meal once a day till the camp was over. But if anyone has extra food, they are free to eat.

Gosh, the news devastated me, “what if I didn't carry any provisions?” I wondered in disappointment.

Because of that information, I became less concerned about the general meal. Some days i dont even partake in the general meal. Whenever I wake up, I just prepare something for myself and eat, a small itch in my tummy and i am already preparing something, sometimes, i prepare so much that i cant even finish.

Gradually, my supply started running low, and because it was in a bag, I didn't notice it until I decided to bring everything out one day.

Before the 5th day at the camp, the only thing I was left with was garri. Everything else was gone. 

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I started soaking garri without sugar and milk. Some days it was Ovey who gave me sugar. I got tired and learned how to just wait for the afternoon to eat then soak garri by evening. It was such a difficult experience.

When the last day finally came, I couldn't wait to be home. But before then, I had already mastered how to survive by managing the little I have. We left Benue around 8:00 Am that Sunday  and arrived at Akwanga by afternoon.

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N.B: All Images Were Generated By Meta AI 

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<center><h4>Thanks For Reading</h4></center>



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