My names are Uche Joan Chinonso. My first day at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic was also my first time been to Katsina State.
It was on a faithful sunny Friday afternoon when l arrived the beautiful State of Katsina but not knowing anywhere to go as the city was so strange to me. Been a Friday (Juma’at) afternoon and a Northern State mostly dominated by Muslim faithful, all I saw upon my arrival was men dressed mostly in white dress (Jallabya) holding their praying mats and heading to the mosques. I could even hear from the loud speakers from where I was stranded and standing, the voice of one of the Imam preaching and the worshippers responding Ameen. It was amazing to see how the people are committed to the worship of God in the state.
Stranded and standing by a junction, I spotted an Internet Café, I walked in and went straight to the attendant, a young man who was kind and directed me how to locate the school.
On reaching the school, it was already time for the juma’at prayers proper. One of the person I met in the office, I introduced myself and my mission, but unfortunately he told me to go back because he does not think the lecturers will come back after the Juma’at Prayer that is late. At this point, I confused, disappointed, tired and at the same time famished. But not wanting to give up, I told the young man that I will hang around and wait while they return from the mosque. So I decided to walk around the school premises, trying to know the school environment as it is my first time and to see if I can get snacks and water to at least eat.
Luckily for me while strolling in the school compound, l saw my friend who happened to be an old student in the school. l was very happy to see her we stayed talked and she also told me the same thing just like the other young man I met in the Admin Block told me and l also told her same thing l told the young man and we all joked and laughed over it.
After all said and done, I walked back to the Admin Block and to my surprise, the Lecturer was already on seat, and my friend was like your prayer dey work ooo!
The Lecturer called me into his office and immediately he commenced screening my credentials, everything went well without any stress or complaint from the Lecture and at that moment, I realized mother’s prayers do work.
My first day in the school l will say it was really planned by God because l did everything in one day and even payment of my school fees all went well without any stress or problem.
l thank God for the favour showed me through everyone l met that very day and all of them were very friendly in their approach and communication, it was great.
Yes l was confused when my friend was saying CAMPS and l was like what is CAMPS and she laughed but she did explain it to me.
Lastly the second experience l had when l went to my department was as if am no longer in the school again l have to ask the Bike Man where are you taking me to and he said Mass Communication and l was is it that far from other department he said yes and he told me of one name they use to call it, l was like WOW!!!
So l ask my friend, does it mean l will be having lectures here she said yes not a single person was there the only thing was just one Dog and Lizards that was around l was very much afraid so l told her let go.
Although l resume very late due to the illness of my mom, but l told myself that am here to study and l can make it, forgetting what other are saying it doesn’t matter what matters is that l will do my best and put everything in the hands of God by (praying) and also (reading) knowing the logo of the school which says “SUCCESS WITH HARD WORK” and l look forward to achieving all that l came here to do with the help of GOD and focusing on my studies.