ShortStory I Intriguing Moment

INTRIGUING MOMENT

     “Nenye…” Ada called.

     “Yes dear.”

     “Lest I forget,” said Ada. “I will be leaving for Abuja tomorrow.”

     “Hope all is well?” Nenye verified.

     “Of course,” replied Ada. “My chairman wants to see me.”

     “Chairman?”

        The two spinsters were undergraduates on one of the campuses situated in Rivers State, Nigeria and happened to be roommates, though were of different departments. They met each other during their first year, twelve months back to be precise, the moment they found themselves on the campus.

        Contrary to Nenye’s lifestyle, Ada was obviously a flirt both on and outside the campus and her pattern of living was really telling on her innocent roommate who was wholly devoted to her academics.

        Ada who could afford anything money could as a student because of her acquaintances with her so-called sugar daddies, was cajoled into the ugly trend by some of her schoolmates barely eight weeks after she found herself in the institution.

         Funnily enough, as a second year student, she hardly sat for any course during her semester examinations and at the end of the day, she would come out with flying colours to her classmates’ greatest surprise. What she knew how to do best was to cruise around with her friends of like minds in her red Sport Toyota car bought by one of her countless ‘sugar daddies’. But whenever she visited home, she wouldn’t dare travelling in the car so that her parents wouldn’t realize her true self; she would rather go in a public cab.

      “My man, of course.” She boldly and proudly clarified as they were seated in their apartment, right inside their bedroom.

      “Hmm,” Nenye muttered. “So you now have a man in Abuja?”

      “What kind of question is that?” Ada interrupted, frowning.

      “Ada,” Nenye politely called. “When will you change?”

      “When did you become a pastor?” Ada argued. “Abeg, abeg, abeg.” She urged, waving her right hand.

       “Ada,” Nenye continued. “Is not that I am trying to decide for you.”

       Ada was relatively calm as her colleague dished out her friendly counsel.

       “After all, you have your life to live.”

         Ada remained mute, facing the other side of the room.

        “But you should have known that we just resumed for a new session.” Nenye relentlessly reminded. “Right now, I expected you to be concerned about how this 200 Level would be…”

         Ada quickly crossed her left leg on the right one, backing the roommate.

        “Rather than travelling from one city to the other.” Nenye landed.

         Ada appeared adamant. “Please, Nenye…” she chipped in. “Spare me these uncalled preaches.”

         “Is not what you think.” Nenye rode on. “I am only trying to let you face reality.”

         “Enough of these,” Ada ranted at the top of her voice. “Please...” She added, stood up angrily.

         “Is okay, is okay.” Nenye surrendered, waving her two hands.

           Both of them were seated on their 16-inch foam which was lying freely on the tiled floor.

         “So, what time are you leaving?”

         “Now you are talking.” Ada applauded. “This is what you should have asked since.” She thought aloud, resumed her seat.

          This time, she was facing Nenye her presumed enemy.

          “I said, it’s okay,” Nenye urged, paused. “Ada baby.” She teased her pretentiously.

           Ada smiled. “Na wa for you ooh!” She exclaimed.

          “So what time?” Nenye reiterated.

          “Well,” said Ada. “I will be going by flight, as usual.”

          “Big girl!” Nenye saluted.

          “You won try…?” Ada responded in vernacular.

            Nenye smiled in accordance.

           “I have asked you to join the winning team,” Ada chipped in. “But you wouldn’t listen.”

          “Don’t even go there.” Nenye warned.

            It’s noteworthy that Ada had been persuading her to join the trend but she consistently rebutted the proposal.

       “I am sorry.” Ada said. “That was slip of tongue.”

         Nenye became really unhappy over the utterance.

         Ada, having observed the bad mood, hastily moved to where she was seated. “I am sorry nah.” She repeated, tenderly shaking Nenye’s body with her right hand.

         Nenye smiled. “I have heard you.” she uttered. “So what time is your flight?”

         “Emm..,” said Ada. “10am.”

         “Okay,” Nenye dished out. “I wish you safe journey.”

         “Thank you, darling…” Ada appreciated.

   * * * * * *

       “So, how was the trip?” Nenye enquired.

       “My dear,” Ada said. “Enough torri dey ooh!” She replied in pidgin English, which literally meant there was a lot to discuss.

         It was few minutes after Ada’s arrival from Abuja where she spent a night with her newest sugar daddy called Chief Akin.

         Nenye sat on their blue reading chair, which was paired with a blue plastic table; she was busy with her assignments. Whilst, Ada who just had a cool shower was standing with a white tower tied round her gorgeous waist; she was plump, chocolate, and about 5.2-foot tall – she was apparently naturally endowed.

         “So gist me.” Nenye inquisitively said.

         “My dear,” Ada rode on. “Chief Akin is stinkingly rich.”

         “Who’s Chief Akin?”

         “The man I went to see in Abuja nah.” quoth Ada. “My newest chairman.” She supplemented, smiling.

        “Hmm…” Nenye murmured, shook her head. “The people you date are men that are as old as your father.” She thought aloud.

        Ada was calm.

       “If not older.” She landed.

       “And so?” Ada nagged. “Provided they give me what I want.”

        Nenye was silent.

       “Or, you want me to move with these boys that can’t even give someone up to 20k per night?”

       “Hmm…” Nenye sighed, shook her head for several seconds. “You can’t stop amusing me.”

        There was silence.

       “Well, you still haven’t gist me about the trip.”

       “Are you not the one dampening my spirit?” Ada responded, sat on their foam that was situated beside the reading chair where her roommate was seated. “Chief took me out for a shopping.”

        Nenye repositioned herself as the story began, became curious.

       “You wouldn’t believe it.” She proceeded. “He bought me gold this, gold that…”

       “Serious?” Nenye enquired.

       “Are you doubting me?” Ada said, quickly brought her handbag and opened it to Nenye’s delight. “Check this out.” She proudly enjoined.

         Obviously, the handbag was loaded with all kinds of gold to include necklace, earrings, wristwatch, and what have you.

       “Eeye…!” Nenye exclaimed, astonished.

        To be continued, please.

FDN Nwaozor

Executive Director, Docfred Resource Hub - Owerri

_________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador  

Opinion II Still On Int'l Widows' Day

STILL ON INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS’ DAY

         

The last time I checked, June 23 of every year remained International Widows’ Day. It suffices to say that last Saturday, the world over commemorated the day as stipulated and observed by the United Nations (UN).

         

The International Widows’ Day is a UN ratified day of action to address the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. The event invariably takes place on every 23^rd day of June.

         

The day was established in 2005 by Raj Loomba whose mother became a widow on June 23, 1954, and the bereaved woman experienced the social intolerance and financial adversity that can befall widows.

          

The establishment was made under the aegis of The Loomba Foundation to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood, which was thereafter formally adopted and duly approved on 21^st December 2010 by the United Nations’ General Assembly under the leadership of the former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon. The proposal for the approval was tendered by President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.

          

A widow is a woman whose husband has died, whilst a widower is a man who has lost his wife. Hence, widowhood is a state in which a man or a woman, as the case may be, has lost his/her spouse.

          

It is obvious that in any society in the world, anyone either a man or a woman found in a state of widowhood is regarded as a less-privileged, because his/her partner in whom he/she is well pleased has departed for eternity. But in Africa, particularly Nigeria, the most devastating aspect of widowhood is when a woman is passing through the ordeal.

         

In Nigeria for instance, on the average, a widow regardless of her status, is severely molested, intimidated as well as humiliated. The major plight faced by a widow in this part of the world is deprivation of her late husband’s properties or possessions by her teeming in-laws. In this case, she would be banned from making use of anything belonging to the deceased, thereby making her appear like a mere slave in her matrimonial home.

          

In most cases, the widow in question would be accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise without minding the severe psychological pains and agony she is passing through. In some quarters, to prove her innocence, the poor widow would be mandated by the accusers to drink the water used in washing her late husband’s corpse; a practice that seems highly irrational and barbaric.

          

To worsen the matter, she might even be sent out of her matrimonial home as if she was not legitimately married to the deceased. Even if she begot a child for the deceased, she would be asked to leave with the child for her parental home. It’s worth noting that this aspect of intimidation can make the sufferer commit suicide unannounced owing to the gravity of ignominy attached to the ordeal. 

         

Most pathetically and painfully, based on the locality, a widow may be subjected to marry her late husband’s sibling, which is often referred to by the perpetrators as ‘customary or ethical’. Funnily enough, the so-called prospective husband of the widow may be a married man or even an imbecile.

         

After the official recognition of June 23 by the UN, the accompanying resolution called upon Member States, the United Nations system, and other international and regional organizations to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children. A recent report reveals that there are an estimated two hundred and forty-five (245) million widows worldwide, of which one hundred and fifteen (115) million live in abject poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation.

          

As the world over marks the famous International Widows’ Day, it is our civic responsibility as Nigerians to support the worthwhile event. In our respective capacities, we have vital roles to play towards ensuring that this ugly ubiquitous melodrama as regards humiliation of widows is totally eradicated.

         

Poverty and injustice against widows is a worldwide plight addressed by the International Widows’ Day, thus we are expected to individually or collectively help to tackle the said anomalies.

        

We can assist in the ongoing campaign by ensuring that in our respective jurisdictions, a widow is not treated unjustly. We can also help to prosecute anyone who attempts to intimidate or humiliate her. Similarly, every widow should be conscientized on the need to fight for her right regardless of the circumstance. Widowers should equally be supported in any possible way in order to keep them away from any form of emotional or psychological trauma.

         

The civil rights lawyers shouldn’t hesitate to pursue any legal case regarding widowhood that’s brought to their chambers even if the plaintiff lacks the financial muscle. In the same vein, the civil society groups as well as religious bodies ought to put up a holistic sensitization toward making the general public understand the repercussion of treating a widow or widower, as the case may be, unjustly.

The country's legislature ought to, on its part, take into cognizance that there's a compelling need to enact a strict law that would stipulate capital penalty for anyone found guilty of maltreating or humiliating a widow no matter how highly placed he/she is. The various state lawmakers should also endeavour to domesticate the law and thereafter ensure strict implementation and compliance.

         

The widows on their part are required to form a formidable coalition in any locality they find themselves to enable them possess one voice towards tackling any form of maltreatment they are usually faced. By so doing, they can assist each other in solving any predicament.   
          

They, particularly the less privileged ones, ought to equally desist from exercising despair; it’s no doubt very painful for one’s marriage/life partner to depart eternally, but that shouldn’t make the victim of such circumstance see it as the end of the world.

         

You can’t turn yourself into a beggar, prostitute, or what have you, because you have lost the breadwinner of your family. You must be willing to pick up the pieces of your broken bones and honourably forge ahead. There will always be a way if we try harder.

         

Above all, we must note that this campaign requires the support of all and sundry irrespective of social-cultural or religious affiliations. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

___________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

Opinion II On Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking

ON DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

         

Today, June 26, the global community commemorates the 2018 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) to create awareness on the inherent dangers in all kinds of drug abuse.  

        

Drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine. On the other hand, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that’s not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, and Indian helm.

        

The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act and appears to be more dangerous to both human and animal health compare to the former.

          

Prior to the resolution for the day, the UN General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.

          

As the world celebrates this remarkable day, I call on governments, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), religious bodies, civil societies, medical experts, every concerned law enforcement agency, the media, and all well-meaning individuals across the globe, particularly Nigeria, to do everything humanly possible to raise awareness of the unquantifiable harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

        

We can contribute our respective quotas by ensuring that anyone caught in the act is reported to the apt quarter as soon as possible to enable the law act aptly as requested. Similarly, the traditional rulers can be of vital help by fishing out the bad eggs in their midst regarding drug abuse and thereafter drag them to the nearby concerned authority for onward prosecution.       

          

In regard to self-medication and other forms of drug abuse attributed to ignorance or lack of orientation, a thorough awareness campaign on the dangers inherent in intake of drugs without the consent of a qualified physician ought to be embarked on by every relevant body, and every avenue including the mass media should be used to reach out to the general public.

          

The plight occasioned by illicit trafficking cannot be adequately addressed without the candid and holistic involvement of such concerned authorities as the Nigerian Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

         

The former must ensure that their personnel are equally mounted on our various major roads toward ensuring that various vehicles as well as travellers are duly checked if necessary. The latter, on their part, ought to endeavour to work hand-in-hand with the former at the various borders toward attaining accuracy and efficiency at all times.

         

Both agencies shouldn’t hesitate, either individually or collectively, to prosecute any suspect no matter whose ox is gored to serve as a deterrent to other intending traffickers. Above all, the Ministry of Interior must ensure that all the relevant agencies or commissions are living up to the expectations, come rain come shine.    

         

The individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs are also expected to help themselves. They must take into cognizance of the fact that misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting an apt medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that can take one’s life unannounced.

        

Those who take hard drugs or the ones forbidden by the extant laws, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, or what have you, should note that the ongoing restrictions as stipulated by law are solely for the sake of their well-being.  

         

Those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or peddling of the hard drugs ought to also be fully aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rotting in jail. Hence, the compelling need to comprehend that the law is no respecter of any person or authority.

          

Though most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials often used in several firms to manufacture a quite number of useful products or finished goods, the obvious fact remains that we aren’t meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states. Thus, we must be very conscious of this assertion irrespective of the circumstance we find ourselves.

        

There is also need for us to acknowledge that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, or even beers, et cetera.

        

We are required to comport ourselves in whatever action we take or while exercising any lifestyle, so that, our paramount desire of embracing an ill-free and tranquil society would be duly actualized. A word, they say, is enough for the wise. Think about it!

FDN Nwaozor

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

__________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador