ROUGH END
“Obiora my son,” Chief Okeke called in a low tone.
“Yes daddy.”
“It’s obvious that you are now an undergraduate.”
Obiora who happened to be Chief
Okeke’s only son just secured an admission into Spectrum University to study
Petroleum Engineering. The said institution was one of the most respected
tertiary citadels of learning across the East, Nigeria. That fateful day, which
preceded the day he was meant to leave home for the campus, his beloved father
was actually giving him the needed counselling for the odyssey that awaited
him.
They both alongside his mother were seated at the family’s sitting room
at about ten minutes to six O’clock in the evening (05:50 pm).
“As my first child and only son,” continued Chief
Okeke who sat directly adjacent to the chap in one of the two-in-one upholstery
chairs. “I want you to realize that a lot of responsibilities await you.”
His wife Lolo Okeke who was seated beside him,
nodded in agreement while Obiora listened attentively.
Chief Okeke being a successful
trader, who was precisely into motor spare parts, had all it took to cater for
the boy’s education both financially and otherwise but his utmost worry
remained the fear of the unknown.
“Most importantly,” he
proceeded. “You must acknowledge that studying an engineering course in a university
is not an easy task.” he asserted, paused. “So, I expect you to be extremely
careful as well as mindful of your studies, which is the only way you can reach
your success room.”
Everywhere was tranquil as he passionately tendered the words of wisdom.
“My son,” his mum chipped in. “You’ve to
adhere to every instruction your dad is giving you.” she said, took a breath.
“You are lucky you have a very wonderful and caring father which every child
ever prays for.”
“I promise, I won’t disappoint
you dad.” Obiora assured. “And you, mum.” He concluded, looking at his mother’s
eye sockets.
“I pray your wish would remain your motivation.” Chief Okeke thought
aloud in a jiffy.
“Amen…” His wife emphatically complimented.
“My son,” he rode on. “All I want
from you is to remain a good ambassador of this noble family.”
Obiora quickly folded his arms
tightly, became apprehensive.
“Honestly, you have all it takes to excel.” Chief Okeke reminded. “Last
time I checked, you had no reason to become a failure.”
The wife concurred via a series
of nods.
“Before I conclude,” he proceeded tenderly. “I must let you know one
fact.”
Obiora changed his posture. This
time, he leaned his head on his right arm, which was standing firm on his right
thigh.
“In my dialect which is Igbo language” quoth Chief Okeke. “University is
referred to as Mahadum,” he informed, paused. “It means, know it all.”
The wife nodded, became more
interested in the class.
“Therefore, you are meant to know everything about the world as well as
all that is in it.” He said, took a breath.
Obiora remained still in his
sitting position, wasn’t distracted by anything around him not even the
trespass of a snake.
“But mind you,” his dad proceeded.
“You are only expected to be part of those ones that are morally acceptable.”
Obiora nodded continuously for
several seconds.
“A word, they say,” quoth Chief Okeke. “Is enough for the wise.” He
concluded.
“Thank you, dad.” Obiora applauded, returned to his previous posture.
“My dear,” His mum followed
suit.
Obiora quickly fixed his gaze on
hers.
“I want you to take your prayers very seriously.” She instructed in
strong terms, paused. “Endeavour to say your prayers at least twice in a day –
in the morning and before you go to bed.”
“Okay mum.”
“And,” she continued. “Don’t ever forget to go to church every Sunday
and whenever necessary.”
Obiora nodded.
“Please my son,” she rode on. “You must note that your two sisters are
looking up to you.”
Chief Okeke nodded in
appreciation.
“So, you must always lead by example.” She landed.
“Thank you, mum.” Obiora excitedly tendered. “Thank you, dad.” He
supplemented, looking at them respectively.
After Obiora’s first year on campus, he made excellent results in all
his 100 Level courses, that, everyone in engineering faculty including his
lecturers and fellow students became attracted to his person. This made him an
envy of all, including dick and harry.
When they got the news, his parents were immensely impressed over the
remarkable performance of their only son, though the said outcome wasn’t too
surprising to them because Obiora had obviously been a very brilliant chap ab
initio. He had maintained the brilliance right from his primary school days.
Owing to the fabulous results, his father Chief Okeke became more
concerned over all the wants of the chap. In view of this, Obiora never lacked
anything an undergraduate could boast of. Money was sent to him whenever he
asked for it. All he needed was to ask, and it would be deposited in his bank
account without much ado.
More appallingly, thereafter, they never took visiting him on campus as
a priority again as they used to, since the chap had proven to them he was
really taking his studies seriously.
One popular Igbo adage would say
‘Ana eji ututu ama njo ahia’, meaning literally ‘a trader will never know if
there would be poor patronage in a certain day going by the pace of sales in
the early hours session of the day’.
To be continued, please.
Fred Doc Nwaozor
Executive
Director, Docfred Resource Hub (DRH) - Owerri________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
Twitter: @mediambassador 
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