My Trip Story

From Bauchi to Anambra

Which 2016 stream 2 corps wouldn't have wished to be among the stream 1 that passed out on the seventh of April, or that the system never separated the stream 1 from the stream 2?

Being part of the stream 2, am glad because of the Easter break period which paves way for a long term holiday, as regards schools.

I haven't traveled for months; to be precise, since i arrived Bauchi for my service on the month of June last year. I thought i could endure till my service year would be over. I vividly recall spending my two weeks break at a friends place in the Barracks, Bauchi. The break is been given after reporting to place of primary assignment, PPA. Needless to say that i also spent the Christmas holiday in Bauchi.

My sister's wedding have come and gone and i couldn't afford any genuine excuse to be absent, cause i intended spending the Easter holiday in Bauchi before my POP. So i had to travel after my April clearance.

The journey began on a Saturday afternoon, right from my PPA to Bauchi town, which was about three to four hours time duration compared with the average speed of 180, and the fare is two hundred naira in addition to the former price of one thousand naira.

The usual procedure which I've always encountered was a cut and join trip, were the cars i do board had to be stopped along the way for trans loading. But this time around, it was a straight, uninterrupted, save drive to town. I sometimes use sign language and demonstration as a means of communication, cause of language barrier and differences at some point.

I had intended sleeping over at my friends place in Bauchi town before preparing for the big day the next day. For this reason, i left my PPA by one o'clock in the afternoon and reached my friend's place at around four o'clock in the evening.

There is always a rush of activities and even increases in the prices of commodities and services during festive period. So then my friend had to accompany me, while we booked a seat for myself at the GUO park that same evening. The bus we booked for was meant to move from Bauchi to Onitsha the next day, since reservations have already been occupied by those who booked the previous day.

My seat number, 50 was indicated in the ticket, which is next to the back row seat. If i had wasted time before going to book for a seat, i would have missed the booking for that day.

Three in the evening of the next day, i was already at the GUO park; as instructed by the issuer of the ticket. It took less than forty-five minutes for all passengers to be sited at their various seats and for all luggage to be parked and well arranged at the various luggage areas of the bus.

In a matter of few minutes the bus was already on motion, and i sat conveniently and comfortably while i prayed in silent tone. Unlike when i traveled from Onitsha to Bauchi, i sat on an attachment that i was so uncomfortable at, though i paid less for the fee.

The journey lasted for hours and at a point i wished it was an endless journey, but then a little breakdown on the bus occurred. I was fearless cause i was among multitude, though i wished not for something bad to happen.

The breakdown took place at Nasarrawa state, actually i don't know the particular place cause i didn't care to ask and I've never been there before. It took about an hour for the team of mechanic aid to get the problem fixed and fixed properly, as one of the mechanics claimed that it was a minor problem.

While we waited at a spot, i observed and noticed for the second time; as i have witnessed before, that some road side shops were open and making sales around four in the morning. Not minding the danger that could occur during that period.

I asked one of the sales men what actually gives them the courage to make sales at that particular time, he said that they have security and vigilante  group who help to secure the area.

I slept for the remaining hours, while the bus moved on till we got to Awka. At Awka, i noticed some changes and development at the roads and how beautiful they have become, unlike in 2015, the last time i was there. I must have to commend the efforts of the government of Anambra state.

My plan was to stop at Awka, but then i had a delivery to make at Onitsha; which is the last bus stop. After the delivery at Onitsha, i entered a minibus going to Awka, as my thinking and hope for the intention of entering 'Willie is working' bus turned out to be negative, because they don't work on Sundays.

The journey was successful and peaceful and it lasted for sixteen hours, leaving from Bauchi by four on Saturday evening and arrived Onitsha by eight on Sunday morning.

I am OAJ.