Arriving at Imo camp, we were told that relocation forms would be given to anyone who wanted to move elsewhere. I felt really happy hearing this news. The state coordinator and her people told us if we can forget about relocating and serve in Imo, we would enjoy the state. That's when I started thinking differently.
Should I get the form and leave Imo state, or should I stay? I was unsure and very confused. Due to the rumours out there where most people say igbo people are tribalistic.
Up there is my IGBO friend I met in IMO CAMP
I listened to my heart. I decided not to relocate and everything was going well in the camp. Three weeks passed, for those of us who didn't obtain the relocation form, we were deployed to our primary place of assignment (PPA).
To make a long story short, I left for my PPA feeling sad, going to a new city I know nobody makes me feel unhappy.
I reached a park and looked for a motorcycle to take me to my local government area, Ehime Mbano. I was initially charged too much by some bike men. But I know this happens in many parts of the country. When transporters see a stranger, they sometimes try to take advantage. Luckily, I met another okada rider, a kind and God fearing man, who asked about me. I told him I'm a corper assigned to this state. Upon hearing this, he invited me to ride on his motorcycle and took me to my local government. He was very kind to me, even though it took me some time to find where I needed to go. He didn't get angry like other motorcycle riders might have. He was patient and made sure I reached my destination safely.
NEW LIFE IN EHIME MBANO
I realized that to enjoy the new community I was in, I needed to make new friends instead of being alone all day. As days went by, I started making new friends. The whole community accepted me and the other corpers so much that whenever we went to the market, they either lowered the prices for us or added extra things to what we bought from the market women.
Above is my IGBO friend I met in Ehime mbano.
There was even a woman at the market who would sell goods to us on credit. Whenever myself and my friends were broke, we were always calm knowing we had someone to rely on. She sold things to us on credit, and when we received our allowance, we paid off our debts. We built such a good relationship with her that she trusted us completely.
On another note, when we needed to charge our gadgets. A place for people to charge is already assigned. But there was a spot where nobody else could enter to plug in their devices. The owner of the shops always welcomed us and gave us permission to go in and charge. She never once denied us the opportunity to charge our gadgets in that spot where nobody else was allowed. We always have it on our mind that there's no need to rush down to the place, because whenever the charging space assigned was full, we had someone to go to who would allow us plugged our gadgets in the spot nobody is allowed to.
Through these experiences, I realized that the things people say about the Igbo being tribalistic are false. Based on what I've experienced and continue to experience here in Imo State, I can confidently say that it's not true.
So, when people from other tribes start saying negative things about Igbo people being tribalistic, I can speak up and share my own positive experiences to show that tribalism is not the reality.
The place I didn't want to go to at first has become my home now. I feel like I'm truly at home.
Let's say no to tribalism. Thank you.
All images are mine.