The big and luxurious lobby was now
getting busy with dignitaries of all kinds; it was when the senate President’s
entourage arrived that I knew I was in the right place with the right people.
Governors, ministers and their wives were all in attendance. Power and
influence were at par this faithful day.
Senator Osawumi Tunde (OSA) as popularly
called when finding his way to the top had always had the courage of a leader.
Reading his biography written by one of the topmost writers in town Dr. Ajadi
Iyiola, one would know he was far from silver spoon while he was born. He
really was born with no spoon. His contest to the national assembly was with
many hassles including an election tribunal,
all which ended in his favour anyway.
His person can be felt like Jesus
entering into Jerusalem. That was the closest I’ve been with him. He looked
towards me and I bowed to show some respect though I am older than him. Other
dignitaries respected him also. He is really the number three citizen of the
country. His wife looked beautifully elegant. Stare not for long else you might
see no more. She radiated the beauty of the first in the man and with her by
his side you know he is really presiding over senators. Then I knew rich people
know themselves, also their wives. One peculiar thing is the smile they keep,
like they have no problems. Though it looked plastic but you can’t but do it,
so I started smiling also.
Exchanging pleasantries with
ourselves and the champagne been rolled in trays, I watched my thoughts not to
flow in a different realm from others. It was obviously a groove of the Whos’
but the question is who is making it happen?
They all had surnames that appear on
Google for holding one position or the other in this country. What would you
expect in terms of security? All I thought of was which day would I mount the
seat of power in my own nation. Designers were supposed to see the glamour of
their designs in the rich and know it was not really meant for everybody. The
reporters were trying to capture every part of the drama and a live broadcast
was inevitably uninterrupted but in a short while, the real drama was to begin.
I excused myself to the gents to get
prepared. The master of ceremony has already started to greet his way to the
stage and then I was off. I washed my face as I saw on TV and clean from a
sheet of tissues that was beside the sparkling ceramics. I knew I would soon
experience the greatest applaud in my life and from tomorrow, I would be a
force to reckon with in this country. Nigeria has tortured me and now it was my
turn to torture Nigerians. I checked myself in the mirror and I was looking so
neat.
Opening the door I saw the wife of
the defense minister, she has just ended a call, Francis she called me: that’s
my first name I thought but I wasn’t angry. Answered like I was expecting her
to know me and told her how well I like policies her husband just introduced
into the force we laughed over my broad knowledge a little before she started
complementing my book. She said she has been told by many how respectful I am
and how intelligent I am. Thus she needs me to accept an offer from her. Tell
the world my husband is the inspiration behind this writing.
My story is well spelt out and the
chapters show glaringly how he grew to be who he is, not a defense minister. He
never joined the force and never married a Yoruba woman. Don’t bother yourself
too much Francis, as she put her hand on my shoulder. Five million naira she
whispered and she was gone. I stood there a little, thinking to myself, would
this be one of the obstacles that will affect my rise, not at this time nothing
can stop me.
The master of ceremony has introduced
some dignitaries. The royal fathers were seated and I was sighted and told in
two minutes I would be coming on stage. I remembered my physical and health
education teacher. We were thought how to breathe in and out. I applied that to show no sign of fear in me
but I was a little tensed.
Let’s put our hands together for Professor
Francis Itohan. With a great applaud and a standing ovation I knew everything
was possible just believe. I remembered hours of study to get to this level in
life and rejections I‘ve received, now I know the sky cannot even limit me I’m
going somewhere if you’re interested let’s glide.
Waving to acknowledge the applause I
slowly with a glaring smile climbed the stage to deliver the speech in a
writing that would change our nation and Africa in general. With a buzz sound
in my ear I turned and discovered it was my alarm it was morning again, almost
getting drowned in my sweat, I put on my rechargeable lamp, it was 5.30a.m .
The darkness ravaged the whole town but I know if I don’t get out of that bed
I’m losing livelihood. The senate president, defense minister’s wife, royal
fathers, designer clothes, governors were all dreams.
I felt like going back to sleep but I
knew for that dream to be actualized I need to be awake. I rushed three blocks
around the corner to get a bucket of water to follow the custom of ablution.
Queued a little to get a space in the
bathroom and the normal dress code never changes, off I am to catch a bus and
the day just started. At the junction the long bus (molue) was already slowing
down and the shouts of ojodu Berger produced so much noise. I got on the bus
with my usual standing position finding my way to get a seat at every bus stop
and failed till I got to work.
The office has not changed only one
thing changed that day, I had a parcel on resumption and then I knew I was
acculturated to the company personnel and the identity I got would make my
whole morning. Now I know I am a full staff and nothing can stop it again.
People now know me with my place of work and parcel can be delivered to me at
work, because my house really had no address. A step at a time walking to my
department and waving with the hand of parcel while tearing it, a letter this
long should be an admission in all these schools I’ve applied to but why my
company’s letter headed. Then I felt the chill of pain flow through me and the
words read carefully:
We regret to announce to you that your services would not be required in
this company any longer. This is the board’s directive and all entitlements
would be paid. The papers for your payment are enclosed in the parcel delivered
to you we wish you luck in your future endeavors
Signed
Thomas yori
NB: i wish to apologize to all my readers that I've been distracted lately by another assignment which just finished. now I'm back and fully prepared to share the stories. good guys would continue after this series.... thanks for your understanding. i love you all
