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.