What do you think?
Rate this book
Memoirs of a 'Lazy Korfa'
Even if you do not have a clue about about NYSC, you will discover in this entirely relatable story what can happen when one person ventures into the amazing, challenging unknown - and the strange adventure that unfolds. This is a witty and refreshing recollection of life within the four walls of a Nigerian National Youth Service (NYSC) Orientation Camp that would also resonate with anyone who has ever been through the experience. A refreshing story that will appeal to any new Corper about to enter into Camp, as well as rake up nostalgic feelings for those who are done with it.- Chude Jideonwo, Chief Executive Officer at, Joy, Inc. and author of Are We The Turning Point Generation?This is an amazing, witty memoir that transports me back to 1999 when I was posted to Nassarawa. I love it! And at time when the value of the National Youth Service scheme is being debated, this is a reminder that the lived experience of people must remain at the heart of policy-making. - Modupe Adefeso-Olateju, Managing Director at The Education Partnership Centre.A hearty, honest and sometimes hilarious account of Tunmise's three-week NYSC Orientation Camp. The book gives amusing perspectives on love, laughs, life and... "lazy korfas," all within the compressed space and time called Camp. - Tokunbo Emmanuel, CEO at Sophos Books and author of The Shift of a Lifetime
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2020
18 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 7, 2020
It was intriguing and extremely nostalgic reading Tunmise Usikalu's 'Memoirs of a Lazy Korfa' as my orientation camp was in Kogi state (in 2018) and hers, in Kano(in 2004). Well, I could relate to a lot of things in the book.
Chude Jideonwo, in the foreword wrote that 'This generation doesn't document enough of its stories' and I agree. It's beautiful that the author has written her personal day to day experience in the NYSC Camp.
For non-Nigerians, who don't know, NYSC is National Youth Service Corps, a programme for Nigerian graduates (since 1973) that has been in place to help foster national unity regardless of tribe, or religion. So graduates are posted to all parts of the country – North, South, East and West and it can be hectic and frustrating leaving the comfort of your own state and home for this adventure, trust me!
Tunmise wrote of the drama from day one! Registration to queues, the quality of food in camp, the kit, the quick 'feelings' developed for the other gender (confined spaces syndrome), the parade, the Mami market, the swift friendships, the hostel palava, the soldiers and their extreme highs and shouts.
Do you know we have to wake up as early as 4:00am to get ready for parade? That we had to adjust to the sanitary conditions in camp? That we had to physically and mentally challenge ourselves? Tunmise documented these perfectly well and I was laughing a whole lot while reading!
The author didn't miss anything. The unruliness of graduates, their irresponsible acts (There were bars at Mami market & some did get drunk and even 'misbehaved', marital status or not). Does this happen every year? Tunmise also had issues because she was in a relationship outside camp and yet guys were professing their undying love for her. Please read this book to have a feel and more.
📕"It is funny how your ability to bond with complete strangers quadruples when you are thrown in adverse conditions."📕
Chude Jideonwo, in the foreword wrote that 'This generation doesn't document enough of its stories' and I agree. It's beautiful that the author has written her personal day to day experience in the NYSC Camp.
For non-Nigerians, who don't know, NYSC is National Youth Service Corps, a programme for Nigerian graduates (since 1973) that has been in place to help foster national unity regardless of tribe, or religion. So graduates are posted to all parts of the country – North, South, East and West and it can be hectic and frustrating leaving the comfort of your own state and home for this adventure, trust me!
Tunmise wrote of the drama from day one! Registration to queues, the quality of food in camp, the kit, the quick 'feelings' developed for the other gender (confined spaces syndrome), the parade, the Mami market, the swift friendships, the hostel palava, the soldiers and their extreme highs and shouts.
Do you know we have to wake up as early as 4:00am to get ready for parade? That we had to adjust to the sanitary conditions in camp? That we had to physically and mentally challenge ourselves? Tunmise documented these perfectly well and I was laughing a whole lot while reading!
The author didn't miss anything. The unruliness of graduates, their irresponsible acts (There were bars at Mami market & some did get drunk and even 'misbehaved', marital status or not). Does this happen every year? Tunmise also had issues because she was in a relationship outside camp and yet guys were professing their undying love for her. Please read this book to have a feel and more.
📕"It is funny how your ability to bond with complete strangers quadruples when you are thrown in adverse conditions."📕
March 5, 2021
Tunmise Usikalu is an amazing story teller. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. The story took me back 20years and reminded me of the beautiful sunshiny days of being a spirited and ambitious young lady who just wanted to serve her country and build a career. Thank you Tunmise for writing this book. Thank-you.
February 23, 2021
I loved the vivid imagery this book provided! Once you start reading, you can't seem to stop as you just want to see what happens the next day/week at the NYS camp to the author. If you never had the opportunity to 'experience' NYSC in Nigeria, this will give you ample insight into all the idiosyncrasies of life as it is, after graduation as a student. You will also quickly get up to speed with some of the lingo and weird and wonderful scenarios an individual gets to experience/learn in Nigeria. If you are like me and you served your Motherlan' then it would be a nice reminder of all that went down when you did.
I read this book straight through within 2 hours and I must say it was a great read and definitely recommend it to soothe any 'Lockdown' blues!
I read this book straight through within 2 hours and I must say it was a great read and definitely recommend it to soothe any 'Lockdown' blues!
February 26, 2021
Humour and wit all packed into this lovely, educative, and informative literature!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how Tunmise used humour and wit to bring her NYSC experiences to life. I easily identified with her, and relived my own NYSC experiences through the pages of this very well written book. I bought a copy for myself, and also got one as a gift to a very special young lady!
Very well done! Mighty proud of you, Tunmise!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how Tunmise used humour and wit to bring her NYSC experiences to life. I easily identified with her, and relived my own NYSC experiences through the pages of this very well written book. I bought a copy for myself, and also got one as a gift to a very special young lady!
Very well done! Mighty proud of you, Tunmise!
February 25, 2021
Every page brought back pleasant memories of my time at NYSC camp in Kwara State.
There are words, phrases, slangs that I haven't heard in a long time that brought a heartfelt smile as I read through the Memoirs of a 'Lazy Korfa'.
A pleasant trip down memory lane.
There are words, phrases, slangs that I haven't heard in a long time that brought a heartfelt smile as I read through the Memoirs of a 'Lazy Korfa'.
A pleasant trip down memory lane.
February 23, 2021
An delightful read. Having experienced a NYSC camp in Nigeria this was great read. Dr Tunmise has a way to keep you engaged in this thrilling story. Enjoy this amazing book... Lots of laughs to come!
December 10, 2020
Memoirs of a Lazy Korfa by Tunmise Usikalu @tunmise_u
Just look up at that title.
I smiled as soon as I saw it.
As someone who grew up in the North, I immediately understood it and was intrigued.
It was recommended by my friend @tosinolukuade and I wasted no time in purchasing it as I know him to be exacting.
One coolish evening, I sat to read, expecting a typical memoir but hoping for a more fun version.
Let’s just say my hope was not deferred.
Tunmise’s writing is real, unflowery and engaging.
You are at once transported to Kano, and you find yourself picturing the scenery, the sounds and the faces. The trepidation of travelling to and arriving in a place you have never been is palpable as you turn the pages.
At times, You feel like a fly on the wall as you get drawn into the world of drills, makeshift food, fledgling romance, intrigue and drama that is NYSC camp.
You find yourself wondering about the characters... are those two going to end up together? Is the former relationship going to be able to survive this new pull?
Will her initial feelings about Kano play out til the end of the book?
But let me not give anything away.
The book is too much fun for that.
You should read it for yourself.
Go on, don’t be a Lazy Korfa now...
The ebook is available on Amazon, Kindle, the OkadaBooks app, rakuten, Kobo and bambooks
Paperback version available directly from:
@lazykorfa
@tunmise_u
@rovingheights
@pagebookstore
Follow @lazykorfa and @tunmise_u on Instagram for updates!
#lazykorfa #nigerianwriter #africanwriter #proudlynigerian #tunmiseusikalu #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #nysc #corper #memoirs #instalife #instagood
Just look up at that title.
I smiled as soon as I saw it.
As someone who grew up in the North, I immediately understood it and was intrigued.
It was recommended by my friend @tosinolukuade and I wasted no time in purchasing it as I know him to be exacting.
One coolish evening, I sat to read, expecting a typical memoir but hoping for a more fun version.
Let’s just say my hope was not deferred.
Tunmise’s writing is real, unflowery and engaging.
You are at once transported to Kano, and you find yourself picturing the scenery, the sounds and the faces. The trepidation of travelling to and arriving in a place you have never been is palpable as you turn the pages.
At times, You feel like a fly on the wall as you get drawn into the world of drills, makeshift food, fledgling romance, intrigue and drama that is NYSC camp.
You find yourself wondering about the characters... are those two going to end up together? Is the former relationship going to be able to survive this new pull?
Will her initial feelings about Kano play out til the end of the book?
But let me not give anything away.
The book is too much fun for that.
You should read it for yourself.
Go on, don’t be a Lazy Korfa now...
The ebook is available on Amazon, Kindle, the OkadaBooks app, rakuten, Kobo and bambooks
Paperback version available directly from:
@lazykorfa
@tunmise_u
@rovingheights
@pagebookstore
Follow @lazykorfa and @tunmise_u on Instagram for updates!
#lazykorfa #nigerianwriter #africanwriter #proudlynigerian #tunmiseusikalu #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #nysc #corper #memoirs #instalife #instagood
September 27, 2020
I got so much nostalgia reading this book. I remember my 3 weeks in the Lagos camp.
What a time! This book helped me remember those fun and crazy times.
If you didn't get to do NYSC in Nigeria, I recommend you read this and if you did do the one-year mandatory NYSC training I also recommend you read this book for the sake of nostalgia.
What a time! This book helped me remember those fun and crazy times.
If you didn't get to do NYSC in Nigeria, I recommend you read this and if you did do the one-year mandatory NYSC training I also recommend you read this book for the sake of nostalgia.
March 6, 2021
Loved it!! book made you laugh whilst pondering critical issues in governance. How do we get supposedly good initiatives back on track so it can produce origially desired positives results. Awesome read.
July 3, 2020
A light and interesting read.
Full review on instagram @favourite_igbo_boy
Full review on instagram @favourite_igbo_boy
September 1, 2020
A very quick read and it tells the story from a sweet perspective of someone eager to serve the country. I enjoyed the book and hope to meet better conditions in my NYSC
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews