Mr. Paul Ogundipe's Challenger 2009 Experience

The Challenger Camp 2009 was to me a different ball game entirely. It was a total immersion type of programme.  The experience was indeed awesome and very challenging. The entire event brought to life in a focused way and with awesome, amazing clarity what Woodrow Wilson wrote in his essay about maturity titled "When a Man Comes to Himself". He wrote that a man comes to himself "When he has left off being wholly preoccupied with his own power and interests and every petty plan that centers in himself; when he has checked his eyes to see the world as it is and his own true place and function in it"

It was an adventure all the way and an opportunity to learn and learn and learn. As Mr Wilson said, it was an opportunity to discover myself. To push myself beyond and above the limit. It ended up making things I would have considered extraordinary to look and feel ordinary.

The road trip that was supposed to be 15 hours and ended up being more than 36 hours taught me a lot about patience tolerance and endurance. A hard lesson I could not have learnt in the comfort of my home. The beautiful and lovely scenery of the open plains and range land interspersed with rocky outcroppings and hills, with streams, ditches and lakes make me stand in awe of what I have been missing in my modern jungle. Truly, God’s invisible nature is clearly seen by the things He created.

The cold temperature, which was way beyond what I would call my comfort zone showed me how our Father cares for people in different places. Noticeable is the cactus fence grown by the natives to protect their farms from roaming cattle and goats etc. It also makes me to see the need to be well bonded with those I call friends and share my faith with. This circle of friends will help form a defense against the fiery darts of the adversary, who is said to be like the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, just the same way the cactus fence keeps out the vermin and cattle that would have come to destroy the hard work and well cultivated fields and farms of the natives.

All the activities were well planned and executed, designed for their specific purposes. Compass checks, rock climbing, group discussion, orienteering, pot luck and camp fire were just great. For the first time in my life, I kept the Sabbath service on an open ground and on a mountain top with the beauty of God’s creation as a backdrop, the warmth of the sun and cold breeze on my face and my family in Christ all around me. It was a super great experience!

Walking around with my backpack weighing about 25kg stuffed with basic necessities of life reminds me of the need to count the cost and carry our own cross and follow Christ through the journey of life. And doing so willingly, without complaining.

The whole experience is worth having again and again and again.

Paul Ogundipe is an Economist and Computer Enthusiast living and working in Lagos. 

Mr. Olawale Lawal's Challenger 2009 Experience

CHALLENGER 2009 LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

The "CHALLENGER 2009 Leadership Programme" was a blend of challenging, interesting, fun-filled, educative, spirit-uplifting, and eventful experience. According to the initiator and organizer of the programme (Adventurer Oludare Akinbo), it was primarily meant to be a programme to inculcate leadership qualities in young adults of the United Church of God, Nigeria Congregation. I found the programme meeting this objective perfectly.

One striking thing I'll always appreciate about the programme is the beauty of unadulterated nature. Beholding the beautiful scenery of mountains and hills, interspersed with green vegetation, streams and lakes, couple with cool breeze devoid of urban contamination, made me to really appreciate nature, and the Creator of nature (i.e. GOD) better. Observing the sunrise and sunset from a high altitude was another striking natural beauty to me, which I really appreciate GOD for. I always enjoy viewing the snapshots of the sunrise and sunset on my mobile phone. Observing Sabbath Worship/Service under the mountain shades, and enveloped by cool natural breeze was spirit-rejuvenating!

The climbing of mountains with heavy backpack was not an easy task, but we were able to surmount the challenge, with encouragement from fellow adventurers on the trip. This taught me that a leader must be ready to survive in all circumstances, NEVER giving up at the slightest challenge. 

I learnt that a good leader does not see problems, but challenges. When one views a problem as a challenge, one is encouraged to provide solution to the seemingly problematic situation. All the hassles we faced on the journey, such as vehicle breakdown, delay in getting to the programme venue were all teaching us lesson about endurance. 

I also enjoyed the buffet night in which we gathered together all the food cooked individually by participants. We really had a sumptuous meal that night. What a memorable night of "Rice Pororo".

One major challenge that I faced during the programme was the discomfort I went through in breathing at high altitude. I observed some cracks on my nose, coupled with a peppery sensation in my nostrils. I need to prepare better next time. Above all, I can confidently say: NO REGRETS!!!

Olawale N. LAWAL is a Lecturer at the Dept. of Computer Technology, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria.

Mr. Enosa Iyekekpolor's Challenger 2009 Experience.

I've always considered myself sort of a jungle boy and I naturally prefer the purity of the wilds to the artificiality of the city, hence one can understand my overflowing enthusiasm about the Challenger program from the moment I heard of it.

My experience began with leaving my base in Port-Harcourt for Jos, which turned out to be a 15hour trip! Nevertheless, I enjoyed the trip due to the adventure of passing through many novel towns and villages en-route. 

The other members from Lagos arrived around 9pm that night and after a few hurried “good-to see-you” hugs, we gathered our stuff into a waiting bus and got on our way to the challenger kick-off point.

The kick-off point was Maguna Village where the village Chief hosted us in his office quarters that night and the morning of the next day. With bellies fortified from the bounty of the village chief's hospitality, and backs laden with personal survival gear including dangling cans of water, tent bags, mattresses etc, our team made its way out of the village amidst the curious stares of its inhabitants, to the mountain camp. The trip there was uneventful but punctuated with frequent stops as quite a number of us needed time to rest our tired backs and legs which were being put through the ordeal of high altitude mountaineering for the first time. 

On getting to the base camp on the mountain, we did a little scouting to find the best possible area for setting up our tents. After that was done, we had a little rest then BINGO! The activities began!

That afternoon, after setting up camp, we had an orientation meeting were we each got assigned to a buddy (I nicely got assigned to my fiancée) after which the program of events was outlined and broad expectations for the team defined. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was announced that it was too late to head for the rock climbing site which was previously scheduled for that morning, so as a substitute, the day would be spent getting water from the village and camp keeping. That announcement brought visions of a restful easy day to my mind and I looked forward to lazing the rest of the day off.

Alas, I should have known better than to expect we'd be given the day off. The water fetching which I expected to be an easy "stroll to the village- fetch the water- and stroll back" experience didn't quite turn out the way I dreamed. It turned out to be a "climb, jump, hack, march to the village- fetch the water- and pant back" experience, none the less, I found it the most enjoyable and notable experience of all the ones I had during the program. It was just simply beautiful to see how proper teamwork could make cheese out of a normally difficult task. The assistance and encouragement from team members coupled with having a leader that knew the way, got us all through the ordeal in one happy, fulfilled piece. Later, some of the biggest guys confessed that they often felt like dropping for a rest but on seeing the apparently fragile ladies scaling the rocks, didn't dare.

After dinner on the first evening on the mountains, we had the first of our daily camp fires where the day was reviewed and the tone was set for the rest of the period.

The rest of the challenger program passed quite interestingly for me and I deeply enjoyed the many activities which included early morning compass check talks, a mountain Sabbath Service, mountain hiking, orienteering, rock-climbing, an excursion to a nearby hydropower station, going for water and wood fetching trips, a buffet night, daily camp fire nights, occasional baths in a cold small stream, group discussions, photograph taking and every day camp activities. The program also afforded me an excellent opportunity of reinforcing my bond with the other expedition members including my fiancee.

But as interesting events usually go, the days of the program quickly reeled to a close and almost before I knew it, it was time to go. As we walked back to the village where we were to catch a bus back to Jos city, I stayed towards the rear of the marching column of campers on purpose, to have a good view of everyone and store the image in my mind. That image along with the entire experience still resides strong in a tender place in my heart and continues to inspire me down to this day.

Mr. Nosa Iyekekpolo is an Electrical Electronic Engineer working with an oil servicing firm in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is engaged to Miss Blessing Taiwo Alade.

Miss Ifeoluwa Ibirogba's Challenger 2009 Experiences

MY AWESOME EXPEDITION EXPERIENCE.

My rule and watch word in preparing for Challenger 2009 was “Embrace the unexpected!” This was because of those elements of risks involved - the weather condition that is almost the extreme of what I am used to, i.e. very very cold, and the fact that I could not shorten the expedition if I find I could not continue due to not being fully prepared mentally or physically in some way. The training, pre-expedition discussions, and real-life experiences of expedition organizer lessened the impact of these risks though. The risk factors, to me, were not issues to make me quake at the expedition, but instead served as real guidelines for preparing me to survive my personal life’s wilderness experiences and reinforced what I know already, - making the best of every moment.

The physical fitness and exercises, shopping and general preparation for the back packing part of the expedition began weeks ahead of the actual time and made easier by the information outlined in the expedition guidebook/booklet designed for team members.

The program commenced on the 23^rd December, but we departed evening of 22^nd from Lagos. The thought of moving straight out of the hustle and bustle of Lagos and my comfort zones to a whole new world added to the vibes of my closing from work and heading straight for the park. The anxiety of being able to meet up on time with the rest of the team for the long road trip made me go all day on an empty stomach. Spending more hours on the road than expected (due to bus troubles) made the whole trip an unforgettable experience.

On arriving at Jos and moving straight to Manguna, I began to understand the importance of those delays on the road, and the fact that our initial planned in-bound trek to Manguna Village, some 2 hours trek, was replaced by a bus ride.  Realizing this, I smiled as I awaited one of the greatest challenges ever with an optimistic view. On getting to Manguna we visited the District Chief who insisted we bunk in his palace main meeting room rather than trekking into the hills at around 9.00pm to make camp. We all spent the night and woke up, having our breakfast in an unpleasantly, amazingly cold environment.

The highly interactive week long programme kicked off by our hiking to the top of a mountain where we used as base camp all through. The first few hours of the  first day was spent figuring out best place to pitch tents, unpacking and scouting out the environment. During the entire program, leadership skills were learnt, developed, honed and sharpened as we engaged in activities ranging from orienteering and rock climbing, compass checks, excursion to Kura falls, daily evening Q & A session anchored by various participant around a camp fire, and the ladies Bible Study (on the Sabbath after church service) where discussions were channeled at the roles of ladies in the church, review of Proverb 31 “Virtuous woman” and forming relationships within the faith.

The wilderness Sabbath service encouraged us to always make the best use of whatever we are dealt in life rather than wishing for something we don’t have. It was a message that had sharpened my understanding of life, not to complain but to smile and be grateful, blooming where I am planted and playing with the cards I am dealt.

To wrap up the Sabbath day’s activity, a combined buffet was organized where we all had an opportunity to eat rice “poh-roh-roh”, spaghetti “specialito”, beans “portagious” and the likes (lol)

During the orienteering and rock climbing activities our terrain was one of the most spectacular mountainous terrains of Manguna, and it was team oriented, encouraging and challenging all together as we all moved around and across the hills through the wilderness to our proposed rock climbing spot.

During this programme, I gained a better understand of the dynamism of God’s creation, learnt deeper lessons that reflect the importance of character, endurance and strengthening of faith.

Miss Ifeoluwa Ibirogba is a lady living and working in Lagos, Nigeria.

MIss Blessing Alade's Challenger 2009 Experiences

The programme was an interesting one, starting from our departure from Lagos all the way to Manguna, Jos (The camp area name). We had a little bit of adventure on the way to Jos with the bus breaking down almost about 5 times on the way. This actually resulted in missing a day of the program and having to reschedule the programme activities.

Camping in an open place, under the stars and sleeping in tents is something I have not experienced before, not to talk of on a cold mountain top (cut off from the usual busy life of the city the entire camp area bathed in the silvery shine of the luminescence of the stars and moon.  I guess it’s a foretaste of the peace of mind and tranquility one looks forward to and what our Lord Jesus Christ promised. I honestly couldn’t really sleep on our first night on the mountain because of a number of factors; completely exposed in the wilderness, with no safety of solid walls and a locked door or high fences, and of course most especially the cold seeping into the tent and seeming to laugh at the layers of clothing, jackets, stockings and face mufflers I had on.  It was the coldest I have ever experienced but thankfully, I later got used to it after the first night’s experience.

We had activities which involve everyone working together as a team and these actually helped me to see those I have known for a long time in a different perspective, and also get closer and form strong bonds of friendships with others I am only aquatinted with. I learnt to adapt to a different environment and ended up loving it!  Some of the adaptations I had to make were really tough, and it was a surprise that I came to really enjoy it all after a few days. One such was our having to climb or clamber up and down various rocks and boulders when descending or ascending a hill or mountain on a daily basis. It was something most of us didn’t bargain for, but it’s all worth it because I ended going back home filled with a different view about life. The rocking climbing  & orienteering activities, daily compass checks, Camp fire nights discussions, Sabbath on the rock, Ladies forum private discussion (which centered on women combining career with taking care of the home), visiting NESCO Electricity power station at Kura  Village  etc altogether really thought me about what it entails to live life to the full and not just exist, especially  when it comes to enduring things, patience, coping with difficulties and that  good things never really  come easily.

I will say that the programmed is not just about fun but on trying to develop oneself both physically and spiritually and being able to apply the experiences gained in our daily activities. Above all, been able to always remember God’s unfailing promises and love towards us and not relying on our own abilities…

Miss Alade Blessing Taiwo is an Accountant, living and working in Lagos, Nigeria.

Miss Mary William's Challenger 2009 Experience

I wish to express my gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the challenger 2009. It was indeed an unforgettable experience with lots of first time memories.

I remember how my primary challenge started a few minutes after we left Ijora park, when the bus got stuck in traffic for more than 3hrs. The Bus broke down in three states along the way and we wasted hours, almost the entire night on the road side while they tried to do repairs.  During these unplanned circumstances I was so surprised that none of my team members complained, I remember peeping at Mr. Akinbo on several occasions but was always surprised at his calmness each time I peeped. This whole thing taught patience because that’s one thing I don’t have. When I plan things I don’t always appreciate anything different from what I’ve planned. Each time I grumbled Yemisi would tell me I’m owing him 20 naira, he was referring to the piece Mr. Akinbo sent some time ago with the title “grumbling to grateful” so I decided since it will be costing me some cash if I grumble, then I don’t need to.

When we got to Jos, I began to understand the reality of what the bible meant by God’s ways are not man’s ways. The journey we took by bus was initially planned to be taken on foot if we had gotten Jos earlier than we did, and it was some distance! It would have been a 3 hour trek to base camp had we arrived earlier, but we had to take a bus for the trip as we arrived very very late! What a blessing I thought! (Laughs)

We left Manguna village to the mountain to set up our tents with our heavy back packs on our backs. I found myself going with ease mostly due to the inspiration of seeing others around me. I didn't feel like I was suffering or being punished because I wasn’t the only one carrying  heavy packs and climbing hills, I learnt there that if you find yourself going through anything you don’t find pleasant, you should know in another part of the world, someone is going through the same or even worse, because most times in our life’s when we are facing any difficulty, just as we got stuck in the bus, instead of thanking God for making it bearable they start asking God why, wondering about people flying from place to place, forgetting that some people are trekking somewhere else. I was grateful we were flying back to Lagos, a mere one hour and a half as compared to the over 24 hours we used on the way in. It should have been a 16-17hrs drive down though.

Another lesson was derived from our journey back to Manguna after setting our tents, when we had to go through bush and rocks, I learnt in practical terms that there must always be another way even if it seems like there is none.

26^th December was Sabbath day, so we had a lot of time to rest after the service and bible study where I learnt from the Pastor’s sermon that we should always accept the hand dealt to us and make the best out of it rather than sit back complaining about life not being fair.  It was an important message which is supposed to reset our mindset from wishing we were somewhere else rather than reshaping where we are to suit us. I also got the message during bible study, where we learnt as a woman not to miss the main point and avoid focusing our attention on irrelevant matters.

My biggest lesson came from this day, Sunday 27^th of December 2009, that was during  the rock climbing activity. The journey to site was endless, the journey that took us roughly 30 mins coming back via a more direct route to base camp actually took more than 3hrs! We went on a roundabout route! I understood Mr. Akinbo was building our resilience, patience and strength, and that is exactly what God does. Most times when we are praying for a particular thing and taking ages for a reply from God, it’s actually not because He doesn’t want to do it, he is simply testing how patient we can actually be.

While at the rock climbing site, when others were trying to climb I kept telling Yemisi I wanted to get to the top, so when it got to my turn, I was determined to do it, though I didn’t achieve it alone. While I was climbing, looking for handholds and trying to solve the rock face problem, I was listening to suggestions, when I applied the suggestions, I got my problems solved. When it was time to come down, I had to listen to instructions from the belayer in whose hands my life was then.  It was a big lesson on trust and I think I was able to because I had had time in days past to grow in trusting her. 

What I learnt was something big….if we are determined most times we will always overcome, we should trust our instincts but be ready to admit when it is obvious we need help. If I hadn’t decided I needed help I would not have been able to solved parts of the climb. Most times we have to listen to God’s instructions and equally trust him knowing he could not mislead us. If had not listened and trusted the belayer I couldn’t have had a successful rappel down, maybe I won’t be typing this mail now..lol.

Apart from these lesions, I also had the opportunity to mingle and interact with other team members, to know them personally and it was during these processes that I got to know how Lola Ibirogba is very motivating. There was never a dull moment with her. It was indeed an unforgettable experience and a well appreciated one too. 

---- Account written by Mary Williams, Lagos, Nigeria. Challenger 2009 and upcoming 2010 Team Member. Mary is a strong, God fearing Single Lady working and living in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Terrain and Environment

Hi all,

When we went on the scout, we went with the bare necessities, no cam gas, fuel cells or dry foods. There are no or few dry foods anyway. We went with uncooked rice, beans and yam. Then small bottles of palm oil and vegetable oil with a tin of dried ground pepper (chili). 

We peeled the yams and boiled them. Made fire by making a triangle with rocks and putting tinder and wood for fuel. We had matches. We also got water from running spring water, clean, cold and refreshing. 

By December when we went for the main program, we mostly took water from the UNICEF bore hole water in a nearby village, or from the flowing streams around. Most of the heavy streams had almost dried up. A few others were too far away to be going to regularly. Bottled water was too heavy to haul around and we had no transportation around with us but what we can carry. 

I have put some videos from last year to show you part of what you would be in for. Though in all fairness, everyone would have camp gas and fuel, (at Challenger, we had makeshift carry cooks with fuel burners, while some preferred using wood and tinders). 

The first video sows Yemisi and Paul battling to make the fire burn to cook our meal.

The second video is showing Yemisi peeling the yam, washing it and preparing it for cooking/boiling.

Please let me know any concerns or comments you have. I can assure you though that you would find the experience exhilarating and inspiringly refreshing!

Challenger Site

We have the challenger program in the hills of Manguna, In Jos, about 80KM from Jos town. The City of Jos is the coldest and highest in Nigeria. It's temperature is the closest to temperate country's as you can get in Nigeria all year round. Jos is a city in Nigeria's middle belt and is the administrative capital of Plateau State. It is located at 9°56′N 8°53′E, high on the Jos Plateau. It is unfortunate the spate of violence that has marred it's otherwise peaceful records in the past few years. It is the Muslims trying to establish a beach head of sort over there and claim certain rights and areas as theirs. 

Here are a few pictures of the area that I took from last year's scouting trip with Paul and Yemisi. I will have to compress the videos and post some. 

Scouting Party

A cold morning beside our Tent

Brilliant Sunrise

Shelter from biting cold wind for tent

Breakfast Time the native way.

The Journey out to Challenger 2010

Hey guys!

Last year, we used a night bus to get to Jos and it cost N4,850. it was supposed to be a 15-17hrs trip, with us arriving by noon at most the next day but the bus had problems along the way. Engine problem and we ended up  using over 24hrs!!!! Thankfully, we had booked a flight back well in advance and got it at an incredible discount of N5,000 per head (normal rate is over 4 times that) and it was comfortable flying down within an hour and a half!

This year, I had booked flights for our journey to and from Jos since July at the same incredible discount but Aero last two weeks sent messages out they are cancelling all flights to Jos for now due to some problems with the aviation fees or so. As a result, all bookings have been re-routed to Abuja.

Next week or upper week, Yemisi, Paul and I would go to Abuja and see about the logistics of getting good buses/transport from Abuja to Jos. it is a 3 hour trip. So, it means come 23rd December, we all leave for Abuja, and take a transport to Jos where we would head straight for the plains, hills and mountain ranges of Manguna.

So, all team members, please take note of this detail and arrange to be at the airport as early as 7am!!!!

Please check back often for more update. I will still make do on my promise to post last year's experiences and some videos through my YouTube account.

Take care!

Countdown to Challenger 2010

Hello All,

Last year, 16 men and women, of varied professions, from Nurses  and Computer Lecturers to Architects and Economists, from various parts of Nigeria arrived in Jos, Plateau State of  Nigeria to spend 9 days of adventure together, backpacking, hiking over beautiful rugged landscapes, orienteering , rock climbing and enjoy the pleasures of outdoor living experience in the manner of the great adventurers of history and as done today by many in various parts of the world.

It was the first and from all accounts a wonderful and awesome experience for all the expedition team members. Arranged neatly and efficiently in our back packs was our orienteering, rock climbing gears and food. Water, Raw food stuffs (very few prepared dry foods in Nigeria, so we had raw foods - rice, white beans, fried meat and dried fish etc and a few quick "cooks" like Noodles, Spaghetti and snacks like Biscuits and Crackers) constituted our food. It was probably in all likelihood the first and only one ever done in Nigeria. The expedition was a great success.

Temperature was 5 degree Celsius on the coldest day and ranged between 5 and 10 degrees all through. This is indeed considered cold for Nigerians and as you can see in the slideshow and background picture, we were all dressed for it. We got water from streams and also from a Unicef provided village water reservoir in a village some 1 hour walk away from our base camp.

Each of the team member was so surprised and enthralled by the scenery and experiences of sleeping in mobile and for real camping tents, waking up at an elevation of about 6,500 ft above sea level to a wonderful sight as the sun rose, bathing the heavens and horizon in it's golden rays, to breath in fresh, dry, cold air in an environment where for as far as the eye can see in all directions is covered by rolling plains only interrupted in places by masses of rocks and hills in a wonderful display of the beauty of creation, with very few human habitations.

The activities and discussions of each day served to forged a bond so refreshing and strong that all wished we could stay longer. 

We are currently gearing up and counting down to the next outing - Challenger 2010. 

There would be 15 on this trip and three of the team are Americans, experienced outdoors men and rock climbers. There will be more of backpacking, orienteering and camping out than rock climbing though. The list of locations with beautiful scenes and huge rocks are quite many but these would be scouted out for an ideal location for future explorations.

Over the next few days and weeks, I will post accounts of Challenger 2009 experiences and include videos too, so I can share with all for the fist time our adventures!  Keep on checking my blog as I expose you to the beauties and wonders of Nigeria. We would visit unknown or rarely visited beaches, deep lush evergreen forests and hike, backpack and explore plains and the rocky terrains of many places in Western and Northern Nigeria. 

Posts on this blog will cover my explorations and adventures, with friends and sometimes solo mostly within Nigeria, but also outside Nigeria the few times I am able to do this. I wish to let Nigerians and the world know that there are many here with a rare and indomitable spirit of adventure, and given the opportunity, would write their own names in history had they been able like Christopher Columbus, Stanley Livingstone and other adventurers!

Happy reading. Feel free to share my posts and blog url with your friends.

Never Say Never! Live life ans not just Exist!