CHAPTER ONE
The sun had gone down after a very hot day. Traders were still doing their businesses at the market. Voices of children were heard chattering near the village square. This was how Eke Market Day always looked like. Traders came from far and wide on a market day like this to sell their wares. They worked tirelessly to ensure that they made good use of the day. They displayed their wares early in either their stalls or in the open to sell to interested buyers into late evening. Traders always looked forward to this day as the market is the biggest in Afikpo.
Nkechi who was in the market earlier in the day to help her mother, Ngozi, had decided to take a short siesta in order for her to refresh herself after a very busy day.
“Ibiam, please wake me up by 4.00pm; I want to see Chichi at Amasiri”
she said to Ibiam, her younger brother, before she went into her room to sleep. Few minutes later, Ibiam, who saw this as an opportunity to go out, went to join his friends who were playing football at Government Secondary School field. The month was December. Schools were on holidays. Nkechi was looking forward to this holiday. In a few days, she will be celebrating her eighteenth birthday. Though she had not celebrated her birthday before now, she had vowed to celebrate her eighteenth birthday come rain or shine. Immediately she arrived home for her holidays, she intimated her intention to her parents. Her father, Eze Okafor, vehemently opposed the plan on the grounds that birthday parties are organized by rich men’s children with much money to throw about. “What do you mean by birthday party? Is that what you are taught in school?” he asked disgustingly. To discourage her, they told her plainly that they would contribute nothing to such trivial thing as birthday party. She was upset by the decision of her parents. She therefore decided to solicit for assistance from Uche Obinna, her boyfriend. Uche, a trader at Eke Market, had approached her a year ago when both of them met in the market on the day she went to buy her Christmas clothes. Nkechi who was growing above her age became attracted to Uche who thought she was in her early twenties and as such decided to approach her. Few weeks later, they became friends. “This birthday must be celebrated”, Nkechi said to herself as she got out of her bed the next morning. With this in mind she hurriedly did her morning duties and assisted her mum to prepare breakfast. Thereafter she boarded a bike to Eke Market to see Uche. “ Uche, I want to celebrate my birthday next week”, she said after exchanging pleasantries. Uche took a long time to respond to what she had said. He knew that this would be borne entirely by him if he accepts willingly. “That is nice, but have you told your parents about it?” he asked. “Yes, I have”, she responded “What did they say?” “Why all these question? I said I did”, are you helping me or not?” she retorted. After much argument, he offered to pay for half of the things she needed for the party but requested to have the budget with necessary things needed itemized and the price of each attached. When she met Chichi her friend later that day, she told her the outcome of her meetings with her parents and Uche and sought for her advice. “Why not forget about this birthday party before you do something stupid”, Chichi advised. “That wasn’t part of the advice I am seeking for”, Nkechi responded swiftly. When they finally arrived at a compromise, they settled down to itemize everything they needed for the party and promised to go to Eke Market to find out their prices the next day. Chichi woke up suddenly as if she was being chased in her dream and hurried to her father’s sitting room to check her father’s wall clock in order to have an idea of the time. When she came out of the sitting room, she saw Ibiam racing to the house with a small orange he was using as football. When he saw Chichi, he remembered that she had told him earlier to wake her up. He paused suddenly and picked up the orange he was caressing with his right leg and stared timidly at his sister. “Ibiam, why didn’t you wake me up as I told you? By the way, why are you looking so dirty?” She asked as she hurried to her room to prepare to go to Amasari to see Nkechi. From the time she saw, she was already late for the appointment. The time was not favourable enough for her to consider taking her bath. She simply put on her top and a pair of trousers to match and few minutes later, she was on the street. “Bike! Bike!” she beckoned to a cyclist and after they agreed on the fare the cyclist rode off. Chichi and Nkechi were childhood friends. They had met while in primary school. They were always in the same class and struggling for first position every term. This really increased their intimacy and their friendship became stronger as they grew older. Their parents were happy about their friendship and their exceptional performances and decided to send them to the same secondary school. This was how they made it to Holy Child Secondary School, Izzi. Nkechi, who was anxiously waiting for Chichi, became worried that she was not there yet. “It’s almost 5.00pm and Chichi is not here as she promised”, she said while still contemplating her next line of action. “I think it’s necessary for me to go there and see her since Ukpa is closer to the market we are planning to go”. For a while, she was undecided because going to Ukpa was contrary to their arrangement. Besides, they may pass each other on the way. She became more restless because time was running out. This birthday was very important to her. Apart from being her first birthday to be celebrated, she was turning eighteen years in few days. From what she had heard, at eighteen, she would be free from all parental controls and as an adult, she would be free to do whatever she liked. When she finally resolved to go to Ukpa, she heard a knock on the door. “Who is that? Please wait”, she ordered and hurriedly picked up her wrapper and tied it a little above her breasts. When she finally opened the door, behold Chichi was there wearing a beautiful smile. “What kept you at home’’? She asked, “I’m sorry I arrived late. The sun was too hot so I decided to take a short siesta when I came back from the market but unknown to me, I slept longer than I expected. It's better late than never", she concluded jocularly. Few minutes later they left for the market. At the market they went from shop to shop to find out the prices of each of the items they needed for the party. At the end of the exercise, everything amounted to over twenty thousand naira. When they were through with their compilations, they went to see Uche in his shop. When he looked through the list he shouted. “What do you want to use all these for? Look, twenty thousand naira is too much for mere birthday party", He said while still glancing through the piece of paper in his hand. "You are calling my birthday party ‘mere’ because I'm soliciting help from you?" Nkechi asked rhetorically. "Okay, I promised to bear half of your expenses. Come and take ten thousand naira tomorrow”. Nkechi was disappointed by the attitude of Uche. Ten thousand naira was grossly inadequate. Besides, she wasn’t expecting anything from her parents. “How are you going to make up for the balance?” Chichi asked as they walked out of Uche’s shop and headed toward the side leading to the park. “Alternatively, why not organize the party according to the money Uche promised to give you. We can re-organize the list to suit the present circumstance. There are certain items in the list we can do without”, She concluded. They walked out of the park without talking to each other. Nkechi however did not have anything to say. She deliberated on her next steps and how to source for over ten thousand naira to make up for what Uche is going to give to her. Without any particular direction to follow in mind, they bade farewell to each other and promised to meet the next day. When Nkechi got home, she refused to talk to her mother who requested to know where she was coming from at that time of the evening. She simply ignored her mum, went into her room and lay on her bed, staring vacantly at the ceiling. “This party may not hold after all” she said to no one in particular. Some minutes later, her mother went to meet her in the room when it was evident that she deliberately refused to show up in the kitchen to help out with the house chores. “What’s happening here? Are you not going to help me in the kitchen to prepare dinner?” she asked. She waited for response but Nkechi did not utter a word. When she refused to speak, her mother walked close to her and felt her chic with the back of her hand thinking that she was sick. “Are you okay?” she asked again as she walked out of the room when her temperature showed she was normal. The next day she took a walk around her neighbourhood deliberating on the way forward concerning her birthday that was few days away. Suddenly, she ran into Peter who lived in the neighbourhood. Peter popularly known as Pyro was a spare part apprentice and based in Nnewi. They first met when Nkechi came home to spend her long holidays few months ago. “Eh! Nkechi, long time no see. When did you come back from school?” “I have been around for over a week now” Nkechi replied. “What about you, when did you come?” she asked. “I arrived last night “, he replied. Nkechi later told him about her birthday party. Without hesitation, he promised to help her with some money if she will agree on the discussion they had when they met months back. “Just agree to be my girl and money will be yours for the asking”, he said jocularly. “You don’t mean it”. “I’m serious, I mean everything I’m saying, just say yes I mean YES”, he echoed. As they bade each other farewell with the promise to see again, Nkechi’s mind was on the money but the condition attached was what scared her. Later in the day, she went to Eke market to meet Uche. Uche who had already known her purpose of coming simply handed over the money he promised to her. “Thank you very much’’, she said as she made her way out of the market and headed to Ukpa to see Chichi. “Are we going to the market together?” Chichi asked when she saw Nkechi in her room. “No, I am just coming from there. He has given me the money. She said as she displayed the money on Chichi’s bed. “We’ll be going to the market tomorrow to buy the necessary things for the party; you know we don’t have much time with us”, Nkechi said confidently. They discussed the birthday and their expectations. Before she left, she handed over the money to Chichi for safekeeping and took a bike from there straight to Pyro’s place.
CHAPTER TWO
Pyro who was waiting impatiently for Nkechi was happy when a bike drove into their compound and the person that alighted from it turned out to be her. Nkechi who was exceptionally beautiful was always in the eyes of the boys in the neighborhood. The boys who were around in the compound were surprised to see her. They became more astonished when she walked into Pyro’s room. Apart from her beauty, she also outgrown her peers and exhibited the behavioural patterns of an adult. “What do I offer you?”, Peter asked after offering her a sit in his room. “Nothing, I’m okay”, she responded. After few minutes of silence, he cleared his throat and confessed to her how much he loved her and how he had waited for the time both of them would be lovers. “Are you sure you don’t need anything?” he asked as he watched her countenance. “I said I’m okay”. She answered. They spent almost an hour discussing life at Nnewi. Nkechi who had never been to Nnewi before was thrilled by the experiences Pyro shared with her. “You see Nnewi is a very big and busy place. Most of the motor cycles you see around Afikpo are produced there”, he explained. “But Peter, are you coming to the party? Nkechi asked. Peter thought for a while and then responded, “If I stay till then. Though I’m traveling to Abakaliki tomorrow but I’ll come back to Amasiri before I finally return to Nnewi:” When Nkechi later announced her decision to leave, Peter halted her. He entered his bedroom and came out with ten thousand naira, which he handed over to her. “Manage this ten thousand naira”, He said “I’m grateful Peter”, She said smiling at him. “You deserve more. It’s just that I didn’t plan for this. You know you’re a beautiful girl”, he said as he tried to hold her hands. Peter later saw her off to where she could easily get a bike back home. As they walked along, they chatted and smiled at each other. When she finally got a bike, she zoomed off. Nkechi’s joy knew no bounds. Her dream of organizing a birthday party was almost realized. The next problem was what to tell her parent whenever they demand to know the sources of her finance. As they agreed the previous day, she went to meet Chichi the next day so that they could go to the market to buy everything they needed for the party. “Nkechi, we can’t just leave like that; let us write out what this money can buy”, Chichi suggested, with her mind only on the money they collected from Uche. “Don’t worry about that. You know we have to hurry because we will still meet the camera man and the photographer when we’re back from the market”, Nkechi replied. Chichi became curious and wanted to know where Nkechi got the money. “Don’t worry, you’ll know about it at the right time”, she said and smiled broadly. At the end of their shopping, they went to see Uche “Oh, you came to market today. I can see you’re buying things for your party”, he said. Nkechi who was now very excited about the turn of events responded with much enthusiasms, “Yes oh”. Uche was however surprised that Nkechi still went ahead with the idea of organizing a birthday party. He had thought that with the nonchalant attitudes of her parents, she would come back with his money and abandon the idea. He became attracted to the number of things they bought. He took a second look at their bags and was surprised to see them with the quantities of things they carried. “It seems your parents later changed their mind”, He asked with surprise written all over his face. “Yes of course”, she replied. “But what about the DJ you told me about”, she asked. Uche thought for a while and promised to see him later in the evening. When they returned finally in the day after seeing the photographer and the camera man, Nkechi thanked Chichi for her help. “I don’t really know how to thank you Chichi. If not for you, I’d have suffered today”. She said. “What are friends for? Chichi replied. “Is it really true that your parents are now supporting you? That is good news”, Chichi said. After packing all they bought into the house, Chichi left with a promise to return the next day to help out. Eze Okafor and his wife became suspicious of their daughter’s movements and her attitudes toward household chores. Whenever she was asked of her whereabouts, she always said she was with Chichi. “Have you asked your daughter, where she leaves this house to everyday? Okafor had asked his wife the previous day. “You were here yesterday when she came back with Chichi. It seems she is not happy because of our attitudes toward her birthday party she told us about” his wife said. “I was only asking because my friend James told me he saw them in the market the other day”, he concluded. The day Nkechi was waiting for finally came. From the list she had everything was in place for the success of her birthday party. The previous day, Uche had told her about his arrangement with the DJ. She was overwhelmed with joy that her birthday party would be a bomb as she had thought. The problem she envisaged however was the reactions of her parents whom she kept in the dark about the whole plans and arrangements. Okafor and his wife had just finished their breakfast of Eba and bitter leaf soap. The previous day they were so busy in their farm behind Government College. This day, they had decided to rest at home and prepare for Eke Market, which comes up the following day. As they were laughing, and cracking jokes, a pick-up van pulled over at their house with some white chairs and two canopies. They stared dumbly at each other. It was then they remembered that the day was actually Nkechi’s birthday. When Nkechi heard the sound of the van, she went out timidly to help them off-load the contents to the right places. She avoided eye contact with her parents as she dished out instructions to the driver and his assistant. “Park the chairs to this place and set the canopies here”. It took less than twenty minutes for them to complete the setting of the canopies. The compound now had a suggestive look. Passers-by, especially members of the community were surprised when they noticed the presence of chairs and canopies in Okafor’s compound. In Amasiri, these articles signified celebration but this time around they were not aware of what Okafor was celebrating. After recovering from the shock, Okafor became furious. His countenance changed as he stared vacantly at the articles in front of his house. He thought of what to do to his disobedient daughter but nothing concrete came to his mind. Immediately the van drove off, Nkechi didn’t have any leg to stand on. She was immediately summoned into the house. “What a hell is that? What is wrong with you? Upon what your mother and I said when you came up with this your stupid idea, you still went ahead to do this behind us? By the way, where are you getting the money from?” Okafor thundered. Nkechi was mute throughout the period the father spoke. She however expected such an outburst and as such wasn’t surprised. Besides, she knew her father loved her so much and would not do anything to hurt her. She was confident that no matter the level of her father’s anger he wouldn’t stop the party at this stage. Being an only child, she always had her way. Her mother was touched by the development. She started shivering and ran from pillar to post. The shout attracted her to the scene. When Okafor saw his wife entering the room, he shouted pointing to her, “Woman, talk to your daughter before she drag the image of this family on the mud. I’d not continue to tolerate her bad behaviors in this house”, he concluded and walked away angrily. Mother and daughter stared at each other speechlessly for minutes. The mother did not know what to do since her daughter did not even confide in her. Nkechi being their only child deserved care and attention but according to her this should be within the limit of the family’s income. Besides, she was among the few girls in the community that were sent to boarding school. “Nkechi, what are you trying to tell people about me? That I am not bringing you up well? You want to destroy your family because of insatiable desires for a birthday party?” the mother said and walked away. The anger was still raging when James Okechukwu, Okafor’s friend arrived to have a word with his friend. This coincided with the time the girls Nkechi invited to assist her in the cooking arrived. He was amazed when he noticed a charged atmosphere in his friend’s compound. “What is happening here?” he asked as he tried to come down from his old motorcycle, Yamaha 100 that he bought twenty years ago. Though the question was not directed to anybody in particular, he felt betrayed when nobody responded to his question at least to satisfy his curiosity. When he finally parked his bike, he went straight to Okafor who was still wearing a long face, yet managed an uninviting smile as they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Pointing to the articles outside, he asked again, “What is happening here? We saw in the last Eke Market Day and you didn’t tell me anything about celebration. Are we still friends?” “James, you should know me by now. It’s not me. It’s my daughter who is doing this behind me. She said she’s celebrating her birthday today”. Okafor stammered. James looked at his friend and shook his head expressing his disappointment. “What do you mean by ‘behind me’? You think I came here for the money you borrowed from me last month? Not at all. You can afford to spend your money on anything that pleases you but I’m only expressing my surprise that at this difficult time that money even goes to messages it’s not sent one will decide to spend his hard earned money on a trivial thing such as birthday party”. When he finally settled down, Okafor told him how he had rejected vehemently his daughter’s idea of organizing a birthday party. He explained how he refused bluntly when she requested for money for such trivial and frivolous project as birthday party; but was surprised when a van brought the chairs and canopies that morning, suggesting that she was going ahead with the plan secretly. “Where is she getting the money from then”, James asked. “How will I know? But this child will not kill me because I didn’t kill my own parents”, Okafor said soberly. James looked at his friend with a feeling of nostalgia and said bluntly. “Imagine your daughter is organizing her birthday party without your consent and spending money you did not give her yet you allowed your compound to be decorated with these things. What impression are you creating in your family? Are you sure your wife does not have a hand in this?” he asked contemptuously. They later discussed other issues after he was presented with cola and drink. The discussion ended with a warning to Okafor and his wife to take closer look at Nkeichi and give her the necessary advice at this stage of her life. When James left, Okafor felt his ineptitude in curtailing the excesses of his daughter, which could be attributed to over-indulgence because of her position in the family. Besides, it was too late to turn back the hand of time. Stopping the party at this stage was never considered as the best option to remedy the situation. This Okafor thought would do more harm than good. It'd send wrong signal to the villagers about the behavioural pattern of his daughter. Without any suitable option in mind, he called to his wife as if he was threatened by a dangerous animal. “Mama Nkechi! Mama Nkechi! I don’t want to be here to see this stupid thing your daughter is planning to do” “My husband, that won’t be a good idea at all,” the wife said though skeptical of the reaction of her husband whose countenance was portraying that of a hungry lion waiting for a straying animal. “Our being at home will reduce the excesses of these children. Who knows how many people she has invited. You know these young ones are easily carried away these days. They easily get provoked and in most cases fight in an occasion like this. Please my husband, the deeds have been done, let us stay behind and give her the necessary assistance. If she fails at this stage, people would not know we did not know about it”, she pleaded. The pleas fell on deaf ears as Okafor was not willing to be pressurized into supporting a daughter that deliberately disobeyed him. He went away angrily without a destination in mind with a shirt that he did not button properly. Nkechi and her friends went into the kitchen to begin the cooking. Everything they needed to prepare a cooler of rice was ready. Though not many guests were expected, Nkechi promised to ensure that none of her guests would go home unfed. She actually wanted the party to be the talk of the town. Seeing their enthusiasm, the mother assisted them in the preparation and advised them to behave well. The party was scheduled to start by 3.00pm. By 2.00pm there were a handful of guests. The necessary things needed for the party were in place. The food, the drinks were ready. The DJ was already on hand to keep the atmosphere warm with good music. Some guests were already nodding their heads and tapping their feet according to the rhythm of the music. Others gathered in groups discussing the settings and their expectations at the party. “Guy this girl surprised me. I didn’t expect the setting to be like this,” One of the boys told his friend. “May be because she is their only child, that is why the parents spent so much money for her,” the other replied. The party kicked off at about a quarter past three. The MC, Clement Eluu officially welcomed guests which included Nkechi’s friends, classmates, neighbours, well wishers, majority being the village children, to the party. They were enthusiastic about the organization and as such were eager to show their different dance steps. The stage was opened with the music of Plantashun Boyz, the reigning hip-hop group in the country. This was the time hip-hop and R and B waves were blowing across Nigeria. Everybody entered the stage to exhibit his or her dancing steps. The DJ was in total control of the party with his terrific combination of local and foreign music, which put all the guests on their feet. The MC was also at his best. He confided in Nkechi, the chief celebrant all the time and ensured that foods and drinks were served to guests as and when due. The MC invited friends, classmates, well wishers etc. to dance with the celebrant. Everybody enjoyed his or herself to the peak. To crown it all, the MC invited the celebrant to dance with her boy friend. Nkechi’s mother who was watching the proceedings from a distance was shocked to hear that her little and only daughter has a boyfriend. She quickly got up to see properly the face of the boy that was spoiling her daughter. “God what have I done to deserve this?” She said soberly as she watched Uche stepped into the dance floor. Uche, who was on his best attire that evening, walked majestically and smiling broadly to the dance floor. To his chagrined dismay, Peter who arrived with friends few minutes later followed him to the stage. When Nkechi saw the two of them on the dance floor, she disappeared. The MC who thought Peter was Uche’s friend was confused when the two guys started shouting at each other to quit the stage claiming ownership of Nkechi. “Guy what are you doing here? Will you leave here before we arrange your face for you,” Kelechi, Uche’s friend said as he pushed Peter away from the stage. The MC looked around for Nkechi but she was nowhere to be found. He went to the house to find out from her the reason for the confusion. “Did I ask you to invite me to dance with my boy friend?,” She querried when she was confronted by Eluu. “But that is the tradition. Besides you told me he contributed financially to the party,” He responded. Sensing danger and chaos, he went back to the stage to see if he could rescue the situation “Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot continue with the current item on the programme until the celebrant arrives. She is very busy right now. When she comes we’ll go back to the item. DJ, please more jams, everybody get on stage,” Eluu pleaded. The guests who were now divided into factions were reluctant to return to the dancing floor. Peter and his friends resisted the move by the MC to skip that particular item on the programme. This generated a lot of controversies, which resulted in the manhandling of Peter’s friend, Egwu. All the efforts by the MC and others to get everything on track again proved abortive. Rather the exchanged of unpleasant words by the parties concern led to a free for all which brought the party to an abrupt end. Nkechi was sad as she watched her esteemed guests left unceremoniously. What pained her most was her reputation in the eyes of her friends and community members. She didn’t expect her insatiable desires for a big birthday party to result in a bitter end where those she wanted to satisfy left without a goodbye and a sense of satisfaction. She became suspicious of every footstep and group discussion. She thought of the disgrace she had brought to her family particularly her mother who was at the scene of the incident. “Eh! Peter has killed me,” she muttered. The action of the MC took her by surprise, as she did not tell him to invite her to dance with her boyfriend. Had it been that he intimated her of the plan, she’d have stopped him from taking such a dance closer to the fire place and that would have saved them from the troubles that followed. Though Peter tried for her in contributing handsomely to the aborted party, loosing Uche because of Pyro few days to Christmas wasn’t an option to be contemplated at all. Chichi was really disappointed at the actions of her friend. She started to reason that people would begin to see her in that light even though she was not aware of her friend’s relationship with Peter. Aside from the fact that they were of the same age group, she did not see the need to have a boy friend at her age. She had at different times cautioned Nkechci about going into a relationship in secondary school. After all the guests had gone, she called Nkechi to the backyard to find out from her who Peter was and the reason for the uproar. “What was that for?” she asked. “Chichi, I am very sorry but it’s not what you think”, Nkechi said soberly. “That guy, I mean Pyro was only toasting me and I’m yet to agree to his proposal though I collected some money from him because of my birthday party”. “Listen to yourself”. Chichi thundered. “You mean you collected money from another man because you wanted to organize a big party? Didn’t I advise you to organize the party with the money Uche gave you? Look at what you’ve caused yourself because of your desire for a big party. Please, I am not a party to this, so count me out”, she concluded and walked away angrily. Nkechi wept as her friend made her way out of the compound. She was abandoned alone to clear the compound; arrange the chairs and the canopies. She was later joined by her mother who assisted her in washing the utensils used in preparing the food consumed at the party.
CHAPTER THREE
The party had come and gone but the bitter experience lingered for long in Nkechi’s mind. She braced up and decided to continue with her life. She was consoled by the fact that no matter one’s life style; be it good or bad people must always talk. What really pleased her most was the attitude of her mother toward the whole problems. Apart from refusing to disclose the incident to her father when he came back that evening, she also called her into her room that night and talked to her without the knowledge of her father. Preparations for Christmas were in top gear. People were busy buying the necessary things they needed for Christmas. This didn’t bother Nkechi much. Being an only child, she knew her parents would buy her clothes, which they usually did at a time like this, her recent behaviour not withstanding. Her major worry was how to settle with Uche. Though she knew that settling with him would not be easy, all the peaceful moves she initiated failed. The last option available to her was convincing Kelechi, whom Uche always listened to, to accompany her to see Uche. Though Kelechi was there when the incident happened, he would be easily convinced than Uche. With this in mind, she took a bike to Afikpo to meet Chichi and apologized to her for her actions and also beg her to accompany her to Kelechi’s place that was along Unwana Road. On getting to Ukpa, she met Chichi sleeping. After waking her up and exchanging pleasantries, she apologized to her and intimated to her, her intention of using Kelechi to beg Uche. Chichi reacted sharply to the plan. “You are disturbing yourself unnecessary”. After few minutes of silence, she querried: “I’ve warned you before that going into a relationship at this age is not right at all. From what you’ve seen so far, you now know that relationship goes with responsibilities and I don’t think you are ready for them right now. Look at how thin you have become because of a man”. Nkechi pleaded with her and asked for her forgiveness and promised to amend her ways. “Please, I am sorry for my actions and style of life. I am only going to Kelechi’s place to prove my innocence so that he can beg Uche for me”, she concluded as she went on her knees before her. Her sobriety touched her heart and as such she dressed up and accompanied her to Kelechi’s place. When they got to Kelechi’s house, they met him preparing to go out to Ndibe Beach to meet his friends who were going there that weekend to catch some fun. When he saw them, he quickly understood their mission. Though reluctantly, he ushered them into his room. “ As you can see, I was about going out, I have some friends to meet up with immediately”, he said. They took their seats in the room that has only two stools, a rubber carpet that looked as old as the house itself; a small foam mattress and a picture frame that was loosely hung on the wall. “Please, we won’t waste your time. Our mission here is brief”, Nkechi announced. As if not aware of their mission, he sat on his bed and pretended to be listening with rapt attention. “I am listening”, he said Nkechi started by apologizing for the incident at her party and explained how she met Peter, the guy whose appearance at the party resulted in the controversy that brought the party to an abrupt end. “He was only wooing me and to God who made me, nothing has happened between us”, she said. She told him how Uche has refused every entreaty for peace and rather choosing to avoid her. Chichi joined in appealing to Kelechi to beg Uche on her friend’s behalf. After listening to them, he promised to pass their message to Uche whom he assured would listen to him. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him, he his my friend. Now that you’ve put your load down, I think we can now leave so that I can meet up with my guys”, he said as he got up from his seat. After the day’s activities, Uche retired to his house to have some rest. It was actually a busy day for him in the market. Immediately after his dinner Kelechi who spent the greater part of the day drinking with his friends at a bar by Ndibe Beach arrived “Boyo, today was fun”, he said immediately he was ushered into the room. “I downed enough bottles of star beer, I mean shine shine bobo”. After a lot of baseless discussions, Kelechi told Uche about his mission. Uche resisted every move to reconcile him with Nkechi. “Guy, not after the embarrassment I received from that girl”, he said. “Look guy, Christmas is around the corner. I believe she is insisting on this reconciliation now because of Christmas gifts and money. This time around, she can’t get me”, He concluded. Nkechi was really disappointed that all efforts to reconcile with Uche proved abortive. This greatly affected her Christmas and New Year celebrations. Her birthday party and Christmas now over, she was looking forward to resumption. This term was a very important one for her especially as she had few months left for her final examination. The family had put the problem behind them and was now putting their resources together for her quick return to school. Though the family was not rich, Okafor always ensured that Nkechi lacked nothing in school. Besides she was an only child and the reason for their toils. Whenever Nkechi misbehaved, her parents were always sad because being their only daughter, they planned to give her the best education and to any level despite their limited resources. At first, when okafor told his friend James about his intention of sending his daughter to boarding school, he resisted vehemently. He argued that no matter the training a female child receives, she cannot take the place of a male child and would always end up in the kitchen in her husband’s house; the only difference being the status of the kitchen. He also advised Okafor to marry another wife since Nkechi’s mother was unable to bear more children. Okafor really felt for his wife when she couldn’t bear him another child after Nkechi. He stood by her despite the pressure from his friends and family members. He promised to send Nkechi to school to be like the women he has heard about especially those in the political sphere. Though not educated, he knew the importance of education. He had heard of the achievement of many women who were fortunate to be educated both within and outside the country. He was also in love with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) female broadcasters that he watched with his wooden black and white television set. It was his desire to be seeing her daughter on television. When the day she wanted to travel to school finally came, she woke up early in the morning to put finishing touches on her preparations. The parents had prepared everything she needed to go back to school, especially now that she was preparing for her final examination. Cassava was harvested few days back and processed into garri. Tubers of yam and other farm produce were also prepared for her to take to school. When she was set to leave, her mother called her into her room and gave her some pieces of advice. “Please don’t allow our efforts to be in vain so that our enemies will not laugh at us. Face your studies more than ever before. Prove that God did not make mistake in sending only you to this house. We’ll be praying for you”, she said. “I have heard you mum. You will never regret giving birth to only me” she responded. When she finished with her mum, she went to meet her father who gave her the money she demanded. She thanked him and opologized for her actions during the holidays and promised never to disobey them again. They later bade her farewell and promised to be visiting her from time to time and admonished her to be of good behaviour. A cyclist was later called to take her to Ukpa to catch up with Chichi in order for them to travel together. On getting there, Chichi was ready and they quickly left to the motor park by Eke Market. Second term was a very busy term for Nkechi and her colleagues in senior secondary three (SS3). This was the term final preparations were made for their Senior Secondary School Examination. Teachers were rushing to cover their schemes of work and get students ready for the examination. Nkechi and Chichi were always reading their books and participated actively in every activity relating to their examination. They were not ready to disappoint their poor parents who struggled so hard to train them through their secondary education. They were nicknamed bookworms because of their attitude toward their studies. “Bookworms, do you have time to eat at all? Your necks are growing longer and your eyes as red as those of smokers” a classmate once told them. Passing their examination once was a task they wanted to accomplish in order to brighten their chances of proceeding to the university. When the examination finally came, they didn’t find the subjects too difficult for them. Nkechi in particular did everything she could to obtain credits in all the subjects she needed to read Mass Communication in the university. This course was really important to her especially because of her father’s love for broadcasters. At the end of the examination, the school organized a send-off party for the students. This afforded the parents the opportunity to witness the reward of their children for their academic performances. Nkechi and Chichi were among the awardees. Their parents were really proud of them especially when they were called out to receive their prizes. “You really made us proud” Okafor said when Nkechi finally came out of the ceremonial hall. “Daddy, I want to thank you and mummy for giving me this opportunity”, she replied. At the end of the party, they returned home with her luggage. Chichi and her parents accompanied them home. The journey was a wonderful one as they talked and laughed over what they witnessed at the ceremony. This ended their secondary school education with a lot of prospects for higher studies. The first month at home after their secondary education, was very exciting for Nkechi and Chichi. Apart from the help they rendered to their parents, they used the opportunity to rest after the sleepless nights they had during their examination. They visited each other frequently and sometimes went out to places of interest together. To make her stay memorable, Nkechi attempted to re-unite with Uche and continue her relationship but Uche still proved difficult. When she told Chichi about her efforts to settle with Uche and how he reacted, Chichi advised her to forget about him and face her life. Though painful, Nkecchi decided to forget about him and face her life as Chichi had advised and vowed to teach him a lesson if he dare changed his mind. “You don’t have to be begging a man; he was supposed to be the one begging you if he really loves you”, Chichi said. “But I was the one that offended him”, Nkechi replied. “It doesn’t matter who offended who. If he really loves you he was supposed to have forgiven you. After all, to err is human but to forgive is divine “, she concluded. Two months later, they became bored of their routine activities at home: Afikpo to Amasiri, market, farm etc. They started complaining and it became a re-occurring issue in their discussions. Chichi became relieved when her uncle who was based in Warri sent a message home that he would be coming to Afikpo to take her to Warri to stay with him for sometime. This excited her so much. “At last I will leave this place and go to where I won’t be going to farm”, she thought. She has heard so much about Warri and had been longing to go there. When she told Nkechi about her intension of traveling to Warri, she received it with mixed feelings. “I learnt that they have so much oil there”, Nkechi remarked. “Yes, my uncle is working in one of the oil companies there”, Chichi replied. “That means I am going to stay here alone, how I wish I have anywhere to go”, Nkechi said soberly. “Don’t worry I won’t stay long. Immediately our result is released, I’ll come back so that we can buy our JAMB forms and prepare for the examination”, Chichi said, holding on to Nkechi. Chichi’s uncle spent only three days at home when he visited as he promised. The day they travelled, Nkechi came to bid her friend farewell to Warri. It was really a sober moment for both of them. This was the first time they were going to separate since they became friends in their primary school days. Chichi’s mother, Ngozi felt for Nkechi when the bike they boarded departed for the park. “My daughter, stop weeping, She will not stay long. Besides, you can still be coming to see us”, she said as she wiped tears from Nkechi’s eyes with her palm. The previous day when Chichi visited her to inform her of their planned departure the next day, Chichi promised to be writing to her frequently. When Nkechi demanded for the address, she said that she had not received it yet from her uncle. “Don’t worry, I’ll use the address in my letters so that you can be writing to me too”. She also informed Okafor and his wife about her intention to accompany her uncle to Warri. They wished her a safe journey to Warri and advised her to obey her uncle and always remember to write to her friend Nkechi. They were however sorry for Nkechi who would be staying alone at home without her childhood friend, the first time in many years. Two weeks without Chichi around was a very bad experience for Nkechi. She became so lonely at home with no special person in mind to visit. She therefore decided to be going to the market to help her mother in her shop. The mother was excited about this and sometimes left the shop for her whenever she travelled to buy things to refill her shop. One day, as Nkechi was returning from the market, somebody called her from behind. She turned to find out who he was. Behold, Peter was standing before her. ‘Hi Nkechi”, Peter greeted. “I learnt that you are through with your secondary education. That’s nice. You are a big girl now, congratulations!”. Nkechi looked at him with disgust, remembering how his action had cost her, her birthday party and her relationship with Uche. “I don’t want to see you around me anymore”, she said and attempted walking away from him. “Please try and hear me out. What happened that day was not my fault I am supposed to be the one to be angry not you. I am just being lenient because of the love I have for you and I want you to know that I am not stupid”. Nkechi thought for a while and replied sharply, “But you destroyed my party and made me a laughing stock”. “Let us stop trading blames after all you still have many birthdays to celebrate”. They later apologized to each other and promised to see on a later day. After few meetings they started dating. Within this period, Nkechi stopped going to the market to assist her mother. The mother became suspicious of her actions and demanded to know the reasons. “Nkechi you’ve not been coming to the market these days, what is the problem? “Nothing mother, I just don’t feel like coming,” she replied. “But you are not always at home or have you started your bad habit again? She asked and threatened to inform her father about her actions.
CHAPTER FOUR
Grace had been sitting at the balcony observing her neighbour’s children downstairs playing. She was enjoying the evening fresh air, her mind fixed particularly at nothing. She was fascinated by the actions of the children, which sometimes made her laugh. Her husband, Innocent Akpan was still being expected back from work. This was where she normally sat every evening in anticipation of her husband’s return from work. Her husband, a mechanical engineer with an oil servicing company in Warri returns from work between 5.00 and 5.30pm depending on the traffic situation. As she was busy observing these fascinating children whom in no time hurted one another and without any element of malice, hatred, bitterness etc. continued their play, she heard somebody greeting her from a distance. “Good evening Madam” She tilted her head toward the direction the voice was coming from to see who he was, her mind still fixed on the actions of the children. “How I wish everybody was like this, this world will be peaceful”, she thought. When she finally saw the person, she recognized him to be Alaska, her daughter’s boy friend. “Good evening my son, how was your work today? “Fine Mama,” Alaska responded. He later requested to know whether Tina was around. She answered in the affirmative and asked him to come up to meet her. Few minutes later, Tina and Alaska were at the balcony and Tina was gorgeously dressed. Tina informed her mother that she was going out with Alaska. “Have a nice time but don’t keep late”, she said as she watched them descended through the staircase. This reminded her of her childhood days when her parents were strict with her and her siblings whenever they were found discussing with boys especially when they were strange faces. “Things have really changed. Now children have the freedom to bring their boyfriends home to their parents”, she thought. In her childhood days in Ekpenyong Atai, finding a wife was the prerogative of the groom’s parents and the groom was duty bound to accept the choice of the parents. Fore knowledge of the wife to be was not necessary. The dos and don’ts of the couple begin to manifest after the marriage and gradually they begin to understand each other. In most cases, the marriages succeeded with little or no hitch. Besides, where they were total failure, the parents of the bride particularly the mother was blamed for not bringing their daughters up properly. More so, with the development of money economy, advancement in technology and modernization, dual responsibilities arose and as such the institution of marriage that was hitherto sacred was bastardized. This culminated in the high rate of broken marriages and divorce cases. The resultant effects were moral decadence and delinquencies among the youths in the society. To stem the ugly situations, marriage counselors recommended courtship and foreknowledge of the intending couples. These however did not yield the desired results. Grace remembered how she met Innocent for the first time the day he came with his parents and family members to pay her bride price yet not much problems confronted them in their matrimonial home. Though things have changed as regard whose duty it was to choose a life partner, she was mindful of the fact that her four daughters needed to be guided in the process of choosing their husbands. She encouraged them to talk to her about their relationships. This yielded the desired results. Two of her daughters, Ima-obng and Idoreyin have gotten married with Mfon and Tina still in the university. She always discussed with them and advised them on the need for a decent relationship and how men like dead branches of trees should not be held with so much confidence. She was proud of her daughters because they were living according to the family’s expectations. Though she needed boys too but when her fourth pregnancy did not produce the much-expected male child, she decided to stop giving birth to children. She was happy that her husband and parents-in-law did not bother her for not giving birth to male children. In the past, when male children were seen as heirs and unmatchable by their female counterparts, she would have been pushed out of the house and another wife that would bear male children brought in. Her childhood friend, Eno-obong recently brought this to her notice when she visited her. “Things have really changed. Look at you without a male child but with such a peace of mind”, she observed. “Education is the key. People are better informed today. ‘What a man can do, a woman can do it better’, so they say. However, my girls are doing well”, Grace replied. Chichi’s first week in Warri was memorable. Within a short time she started getting used to the environment. Life in Warri was quite different from life in Afikpo. Things were moving here at a very great speed. Her uncle Chinedu, an offshore worker and other members of the family made the environment comfortable for her. Here she didn’t think of doing any tedious job like going to the farm or stream. She woke up early in the morning to assist her uncle’s wife in preparing breakfast for the children and after they have gone to school, she sat in the sitting room to watch television. “This is your house, so don’t live like a stranger. Whenever you need anything, tell my wife, I usually spend three weeks in the sea and one week in town. Therefore, you will be seeing my wife more”, Chinedu told Chichi before he travelled. Two weeks later she became close to Tina who was in town to spend her holiday. She always visited her in their flat upstairs. In many occasions, she saw Tina and her boyfriend, Alaska going out in the evening. At first she thought they were relatives since things like this were not common in Afikpo, but one day, she bumped into them as they were cuddling and kissing each other by the staircase. At this point, she started envying their relationship and wished she would have the opportunity to live the way they did. What surprised her most was the fact that Alaska came to the house to take Tina away even in the presence of her parents. Such things were never tolerated in Ukpa or the whole of Afikpo. When she enquired about her and her occupation, she was told that Tina was a university student. This being so, she made up her mind to be close to her. She sat down and mapped out the strategies, which later worked out. “So if I get admission into the university, my parents will allow me to live the way I want?”, she thought. Whenever Chichi visited Tina, their discussions always centred on life in the university. Tina told her about her school, Ambrose Alli university, Ekpoma and how it was fun being there. When Chichi requested to know why the parents allowed her boyfriend to visit her at home. “Girl friend, this is not the olden days when parents chose husband or wife for their children. Today you’re at liberty to marry whoever you so desire to marry”. Tina explained. “Are they not encouraging you to indulge in sexual activities”? Chichi asked. “Absolutely not. Rather they are guiding me to make informed decisions concerning my life”, Tina replied. Before she returned to school at the end of her holidays, Alaska took her and Chichi out to one of the fast food restaurants in town. On this occasion, Chichi was introduced to Martins, Alaska’s friend and had the opportunity to drink small stout for the first time. Being her first visit to such a place, Chichi was very excited though shy especially when the formal introduction was made. After the first month, Chichi wrote her first letter to Nkechi. She tried her best to explain everything she thought Nkechi would be interested in knowing about. She told her about her new environment and her new friends especially Tina. Nkechi was very happy when she received the letter from a postmaster that afternoon. Immediately she saw the handwriting on the back of the envelope, she quickly recognized the writer, “ it’s Chichi, it’s Chichi!”, she shouted and jumped with excitement. She opened the letter and smiled as she read. “My dear friend Nkechi, how are you and everybody at home? I hope you are fine. Everybody over here is okay… have you heard anything about our result…?” She was very excited to have read from her friend. Besides, this was the first letter she ever received by post. Though the letter took over a month to reach her, the contents were as if Chichi was talking to her directly. As demanded by Chichi, she replied the letter immediately and posted to her through Afikpo post office. Five months after their examination, the results were released. When Nkechi received the information, she wrote to Chichi to come home so that they could go to their former school to check their results. When Chichi received the message, she told her uncle about it. Her uncle gave her money to travel to Afikpo and also gave her extra money for her to buy university entry form incase her result was okay. Immediately she arrived home, she went to Amasiri to see her friend, Nkechi. They spent hours discussing Warri and her experiences there. She talked about the refinery even though she never went near there except that she saw the flame which burnt day and night as a result of the gas being flared over there. She also talked about the traffic jam at Enerhen Junction, Airport Road and other major roads within Warri metropolis. “Look, there are so many cars in Warri to the extent that one can spend hours in traffic jam”, she said. Nkechi was surprised, as she had never witnessed such a thing in the twin cities of Afikpo and Amasiri, which she was familiar with. “Did you see any oil?” Nkechi asked. “It’s actually everywhere. Besides Warri is called ‘Oil City’”, she replied. What fascinated Nkechi most was when Chichi told her that people were made to pay large sum of money to the youths before they were allowed to build houses on their own land. “They called it development levy, ‘deve’ for short”, Chichi said. “On your own land?”, Nkechi screamed. “I also heard that the youths are very restive. What is it all about? She asked. “ Yes they are”, Chichi replied. “I think it is as a result of long years of neglect, exploitation and degradation of the environment by the oil companies operating there. My uncle always complain about the living conditions of people in Warri and the entire Niger Delta, especially those living in the riverine areas where the bulk of this oil is got from”, Chichi explained “Are you saying their restiveness is justified?” Nkechi asked. “Absolutely not”, she continued. “Even though they are fighting a just course, their approaches are faulty. I believe there are legitimate and civilized means through which their grievances can be channeled to the appropriate authorities. The irony of it is that their agitations sometimes lead to communal conflicts among themselves which in most cases lead to the destruction of what they had built for years and sometimes their cherished values”. “What are you now saying?” Nkechi asked for further clarifications. “My point is that they deserve all they are agitating for. It’s their right. After all God didn’t endow them with such enormous resources to serve as a curse to them and blessing to those at the corridors of power but they need to do it with human face”, she concluded. After their discussion, they arranged to travel to their former school to check their results. They were really happy to re-unite with each other after over four months. Their parents were happy when they came back with their results. Both of them performed excellently well. They made the required credits and as such the chances of furthering their studies and reading their desired courses were brightened. Chichi informed Nkechi of her plan to purchase Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) form. Nkechi who was excited about the development also informed her parents about it. Her parents did not hesitate about giving her the money, both of them travelled to Abakiliki to purchase the form that was currently on sale. Before filling the forms, they had agreed on attending the same university. But their problem was the particular university. They have heard about various universities both within and outside the Eastern part of the country. They suggested some of them but failed to agree on anyone in the East. After much argument, they settled on Edo State University, Ekpoma. “You mean Ambrose Alli University?” Nkechi asked when Chichi suggested it. “I learnt that it has the most beautiful gate among Nigerian Universities”, Chichi said. “But what has gate got to do with academics”, Nkechi retorted. Even though Nkechi would have preferred a university in the East which would be closer to her especially because of the financial situation of her parents, Chichi argued that going to the university in the East was never a good option at all for her. “Perhap I should remind you that we’ve spent all our lives in the East. We had our primary and secondary education in the East; therefore my university education must be outside the East. “But you know our parents are not financially buoyant. Travelling to other parts of the country will always cost us a lot of money”, Nkechi argued. “But Ekpoma is not too far from here”, Chichi said. Chichi’s choice was actually influenced by what she heard from Tina about Ekpoma. She was itching to see the university with the most beautiful gate, the statue of Ambrose Alli, the governor whose government set up the university. Though these were not really important, the way Tina talked about them made them looked significant. Immediately they submitted their forms, Chichi travelled back to Warri. “Chichi, now that you’ve registered for JAMB, I think you should start attending JAMB preparatory classes in order to prepare yourself very well for the examination”, Chinedu said after looking through Chichi’s result. “This is a very nice performance we’re going to celebrate it” “Thank you uncle”, Chichi said. That evening, Chinedu bought drinks and asked his wife to prepare their native meal and pepper soup for the family. They really had a nice time together. The idea of attending a preparatory class really excited her. She saw this as an opportunity to go out and relate with her mates outside. Before her uncle travelled back, he gave her money for registration and purchase of books and other materials. JAMB preparatory classes were meant to prepare JAMB candidates for the examination. Here past questions were treated to give candidates firsthand knowledge on how the questions look like. However, candidates always used this hitherto noble course to exhibit their fashions, to the extent that most of the candidates forgot why they registered for these classes. Chichi didn’t take a long time to fit into the life styles and behavioural patterns of her mates. She made more friends which later influenced her dress sense. She started attending parties with skimpy dresses, which she normally took along in her bag on the pretence of going to lessons. She saw different kinds of parties; the wild, the wilder and the wildest; the outlook and concepts quite different from what she had seen in Afikpo. She really had enough fun for the period the lesson lasted.
CHAPTER FIVE
Few months after the examination was written, the result was released. Nkechi had a very good result but Chichi’s result was few marks below the required cut-off marks. With the assistance of Tina, she spent some money to secure her admission. When she got information that the authorities have finally announced resumption, she travelled to Afikpo to get herself ready and also ensure that Nkechi was carried along. The day after her arrival, she asked Nkechi to accompany her to the market for her to buy clothes from the money her uncle gave her. From the types of tops and trousers she bought, Nkechi realized that her friend’s taste for clothes had changed. She bought spaghetti tops, slim-fitted jeans trousers, low waist trousers, shorts, jewelry, make-ups etc. when Nkechi who never put on trousers nor see her friend with trousers prior to that time queried her choices, she told her that those things will help her to get all the fun she needed in the university. “These are what people put on on the university campus”, Chichi said. “But your parents would not allow you to wear things like these”, Nkechi continued “I never said I will be wearing them at home but on campus”, she snapped. Her choices and preferences were actually influenced by what Tina and other girls in Warri put on. In Warri, girls were free to go out with skimpy dresses even with the approval of some of their parents. Married women sometimes joined the girls in this show of shame, some arguing that it was the only way to stop their husbands from chasing young girls. When she tried to convince Nkechi about this, she protested. “Look, it’s high time you stopped copying people apishly. I’ve heard of Warri boys and girls. Mind you these names have negative connotation”, she said. Chichi started seeing Nkechi as a village girl who would be lagging behind in the university while she saw herself as a modern girl who must follow the trend both in style and fashion to avoid being left behind. Okafor and his wife were happy when Nkechi broke the news of her success in JAMB and her subsequent admission into the university. Though they were not happy about the university she chose because of distance, they celebrated her success by killing one of their cocks and preparing a big pot of stew and rice and invited their neighbours to share with them. “Look at Nkechi of yesterday preparing to go to the university”, James said, holding a bottle of fanta and doing justice to the Abakaliki rice in front of him which Nkechi used almost two hours to select stones from. Though he was initially against Okafor sending Nkechi to school, her excellent performances which surpassed any of his five male children made him to have a change of heart. Also, he has heard about and seen many distinguished ladies and with his old television set, he has seen many ‘big’ women sat with their male counterparts at important occasions. The night preceding Nkechi’s final departure, the parents called her after their evening meal and advised her to take her studies seriously. They cautioned her against deviating from the family values. “My daughter, I don’t want you to join bad companies in that university you’re going,” Okafor advised. “This family has been struggling all these years and you saw how we managed to get you through secondary school. We want you to go there and face your studies so that you can come and lift this family up”, he concluded. Her mother, who was already feeling sleepy as a result of the day’s activities, especially concerning Nkechi’s departure, yawned when her husband finished what Nkechi perceived as a sermon than a piece of advice. “Nkechi you know you are the only one we have. Where you are going, you’ll meet people from different backgrounds; rich and poor. Please don’t imitate others foolishly. Don’t try to live above your means. Always have the condition of this family in your heart”, she said and promised to continually pray for her well-being. After listening to her parents, Nkechi promised to adhere strictly to the advice of her parents. She praised them for their untiring efforts despite their lean financial situation. The next morning, Nkechi and Chichi were seen off to the park by their family members. It was really a happy moment in the lives of these families to see their children proceed to the university despite their limited resources. Fresh students in the university were always equipped with the wrong information about what actually took place in the university. Jambites as they were often called heard of only the fun and groove, parties, guys, babes, freedom, dressing, cultism etc. on campus. With these in mind, many became easy prey to over ambitious students and lecturers. Their first week in school was so hectic. They were busy with their registration exercises. For Nkechi, this was her first time outside the Eastern part of Nigeria. They also had opportunity to know about the rules and regulations of the university during their orientation programme. This became necessary because, other members of the university community saw Jambites as novice with little or no knowledge of the modus operandi of the university environment and sometimes, real life situation. Some were from rich family and had never experienced hunger. Others from strict parents and were breathing the air of freedom for the first time. Old students, especially boys capitalized on this to misuse the girls. Many girls that over-used their freedom ended up sleeping with up to five guys and above before the end of their first semester and before they realized that some guys in the universities were never real. The fresh boys also struggled with their counterparts in the higher level to get the attention of the girls. It was more or less a competition with no winner expected at the end of the day. Besides they needed these things to keep life going on campus. Even though the environment was new to them, Chichi was not surprised with everything she witnessed. This was due to the fact that Tina had told her many things she needed to know about the activities and conducts in the university and its environs. Chichi who was hitherto of good conduct and morals in her secondary school days was now a totally changed person. She made good her promise of enjoying her life in the university. She started putting on her “sexy’ dresses in order to belong and catch her fun. At first, Nkechi wasn’t comfortable with this style of life but after much persuasion, she joined them to avoid being left behind. They attended parties, shows and sometimes did this at the expense of their studies. This resulted in backlog of carry-over courses at the end of their first year in the university. Nkechi was amazed with what her actions had cost her. She recollected the advice her parents gave her and how much efforts they have put into securing a better future for her. She made up her mind to withdraw from all unwholesome activities especially those that were detrimental to her studies. She later communicated her mind to Chichi and informs her of the need for them to sit up and forget about frivolities. “Look our parents would be disappointed in us if they discover that we have deviated from our families’ norms and values” she said. This didn’t go down well Chichi. She protested what she thought was unnecessary invasion of her privacy. “I don’t want to sit here and listen to your sermon, you started going out with boys in secondary school. If you are actually tired which I strongly believe you should, you can quit. As for me, this is my time”, Chichi said and walked away. Nkechi had known at this stage that she had no reason to disappoint her poor parents especially as she was their only Child. She made up her mind to do away with all sorts of distractions no matter whose ox was gored. To buttress her point she broke up with Peter and stopped him from coming to see her on campus, and discarded all her dresses that portrayed indecency. She started attending campus fellowship and took active part in fellowship activities. Chichi was disappointed by the attitude of her friend Nkechi. She saw her as exhibiting a holier than thou attitude and as such severed relationship with her. She also packed out of the room they were sharing together. This was done, according to her, to stop Nkechi from prying into her internal and private affairs. With Nkechi out of the way, Chichi’s behaviour started degenerating. She was in and out of relationship. She saw a relationship as a chain that prevented her from catching her grooves. Parties, shows, clubs etc were her regular places of visit. She was always seen in the company of bad boys especially cult members on campus. Her behaviour repeatedly affected her performances. To make up for her poor performance, she resorted to ‘blocking’ her courses. Blocking was the term used to describe monetary inducement given to lecturers by students in order for them to obtain unmerited grades. The lecturers that refused money, she lured them into sleeping with her. In most cases, she had her way. Though she loved what she was doing, she concealed as much as she could her new found attitudes from her parents and uncle. Whenever she visited Warri or Afikpo, she went with different set of clothes. Her dress code was always decent while at home and as such the parents had thought she had not deviated from the family’s values. The only thing they noticed was that whenever she was at home, she rarely took communion in the church. As devout Catholics, the only way they can prove their state of mind before God and the people was taking the Holy Communion continually. The father who was a church warder in their local church, once queried her on this but she simply said she was not in the right mood for such ceremony. “If there is anything you’ve done wrong, go for confession so that you will start taking Holy Communion” he said.
CHAPTER SIX
“I’ve warned you to be careful of the kind of men you go out with”, Grace said when Tina informed her that Alaska has started cheating on her. “Mummy imagine the kind of girls I’ve been seeing him with. Men are really callous”, she said. “But your dad is not” Grace replied. Tina was really in love with Alaska. Being her first relationship, she was enthusiastic about it and as such trusted him so much. Two years back, she witnessed her elder sister’s relationship metamorphosed into marriage. Therefore, she did everything within her power to ensure that hers toes the same line. At first, Alaska enjoyed the relationship. He took Tina out especially on weekends to places of interest within and outside Warri. They were so faithful to each other. However, this did not go down well with Alaska’s friends. They saw girls as tops that one can pick, wear and remove at will. He was nicknamed “woman’s wrapper” because of what they considered as his unnecessary attachment to Tina. “Wake up Boy! This girl doesn’t worth it. Let us enjoy our lives”, they usually said. In order to please his friends and exhibit his sexual prowess he started changing girls. He became a regular visitor to popular beer parlous and pepper soup joints where he had access to cheap and loose girls. This took a toll on his relationship. Tina was not comfortable with such behaviours. She complained about it and requested to know the reason for his actions and why they were not going out regularly as they used to do. He started making flimsy excuses to justify his actions. “Try and understand. I am very busy with my work”, he said. “But you have been working since. How is it now that you are so busy that you do not have time for me anymore”, Tina retorted. His incessant excuses made her to start doubting his love for her. Besides, she has been seeing him with other girls at different times. To confirm her suspicion, she visited him on the day he told her he would be travelling to Port Harcourt on official assignment. On getting to the compound, she was surprised to see his car outside. “This guy may not have travelled after all, or did he travel in a public transport?” she said to herself. When she got to the door, she discovered that somebody was actually in the flat. She rang the bell and waited for response. “Who is at the door? Please give me few minutes I would be right there”, Alaska said. Few minutes later, he opened the door to find out who the person was. To her greatest surprise Alaska was the person at the door while another girl was inside the room. “What are you doing here? I thought I told you I’ll be traveling to Port Harcourt today”, he stammered. “And this is your Port Harcourt, Perhaps I am in Port Harcourt too,” she replied. When she attempted to go into the room, Alaska resisted her. This resulted in hot exchange of words between them. “So you’ve started spying on me. Look I don’t want to see you around here anymore”, he said as he banged the door against her. When the girl inside requested to know the reason for the uproar, he said it was his former girl friend that was always begging to come back. When Tina got home, she narrated her ordeal in the hands of Alaska to her mother. The expression on her mother’s face after listening to her, showed she was not happy about the way her beloved daughter was treated. She vowed to deal with him anytime he re-surfaces in the compound. When she informed her husband about it Tina was summoned and warned to steer clear of Alaska. “That boy doesn’t deserve the feelings you are nursing for him”, he said. Peer pressure was what pushed Alaska into the habit of cheating on Tina and engaging on risky behaviours. Even though he loved and valued her, satisfying his friends and getting along with them cost him his relationship. Few weeks after they broke up, his friends, particularly Martins were always commending his actions and boldness. “You are now behaving like a man, that girl was really pesting you”, Martins said in one of their routine visits to pepper soup joint. After work one evening, Alaska drove home to refresh and go out again to meet up with his guys. On getting home, public power supply was interrupted. He tried to put on his generator but all attempts failed. He became so tired. “This generator has developed fault again”, he said. He later abandoned the generator and went into his sitting room and rested on one of the cushions. Few minutes later, his mind went back to his relationship and the excitement his break up with Tina has generated among his friends. “Why would my friends be happy with my predicament”, he thought. He took a careful look at his action. It was here it dawned on him that he has hurt the girl that meant so much to him. “It seems these so called friends of mine are actually jealous of my relationship. I have to go and apologize to Tina”, he said to himself. The problem that confronted him was how to go to Tina’s house to meet her considering the way he embarrassed her. “What if she has told her parents?”, He thought of the way he would be embarrassed if the parents were aware of the problem. “A man dies but once. I must go there this weekend”, he concluded. With this in mind, he was overwhelmed with excitement. He then got up suddenly from the cushion as if an ant had bitten him and moved straight to the bathroom to take his bath; whispering a song by Plantation Boyz “You and I were meant to live together babe. Can you see, you are the only one for me…” During the week, he discussed his intension to reconcile with Tina to his friends. From the response he got, he realized that they weren’t ready to support his action. “It seems that girl has washed for you”, Martins said When he came back from work that Friday, he sat down for minutes and appraised his chances of getting Tina back and what he may likely encounter in the hands of her parents. “I know it’s not going to be easy but I must take a step”, he said as he picked his car key. On getting to the compound, Grace, in her usual characteristics, was sitting at the balcony waiting for her husband’s return from work. “Good evening Madam”, he greeted Grace and waited for any eventuality while praying in his mind. “Young man, what are you doing here? Before I call the police, I want to see your back”, Grace thundered “I am very sorry Madam, please hear me out”, he pleaded. The shout attracted Tina who was in her room preparing to return to school the next day “Who is it Mummy?” she asked. “It’s that ungrateful man called Alaska. If he knows what is good for him, he should kindly leave the compound before I call in the police”. “Please Mum, let him come in,” Tina pleaded. Grace was shocked by the reaction of her daughter toward the man that embarrassed her few weeks back. “What do you mean?” She roared. “I hope you are not planning to reconcile with that cheat. I’m disappointed in you”, she yelled and walked away angrily into the room. Alaska who was now happy, began to arrange his clothes. Tina later went down and apologized to him for the way her mother embarrassed him. “ It is nothing, she was right”, he said. Turning to Tina, he said, “Please I’m sorry for what I did to you the other day. It was Mr. Satan. I didn’t even know what came over me. Please I’m really sorry. Find it in your heart to forgive me”, he pleaded. Innocent was not happy when his wife told him about the reaction of Tina when she attempted to drive Alaska away. “She made a fool of me because of that young man that doesn’t care about her”, she said. “Mummy I’m sorry but he was here solely to apologize for what he did and it was necessary for us to give him that benefit of doubt”, Tina apologized. Her father later cautioned her to be careful of men and their pranks. “I want to let you know that our actions are dictated by what we hear and see. Diseases are everywhere and you must be very careful because I know you’ve been sleeping with that young man in the name of relationship. When it happens, don’t say we didn’t warn you”. He admonished her and vowed to deal with anybody that would create bad blood in his family.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It was Eke Market Day and as usual it was full of activities. It was usually seen as the shortest day in Afikpo because of the busy schedules of majority of the people; traders and farmers alike. The residents relied so much on the market because of the lack of industries in the area. Chichi’s parents had retired to the house after the day’s sales. They were outside discussing the day’s activities after their evening meal when a car drove into the compound. When they saw the car, they became excited thinking that the occupant was Chinedu whom they heard had just bought a fairly used car popularly known as Belgium car. They drew near to the car since it was difficult for them to see clearly from where they were sitting. They waited impatiently for the occupants to alight from the car. “This could be my brother”, the father said still looking at the direction of the car. The excitement soon turned to fear when they saw the occupants of the car; a man and two girls holding Chichi who had difficulty in walking. “What is it? What is wrong with her?” her mother asked as she hurried to assist them. “Chichi is very sick”, One of the girls they later understood was Chichi’s friend said. The family was agitated and apprehensive. After taking her and the visitors into the room, the parents tried to find out from her friends how it all started. “It started as high fever last week. She went to the University’s health centre for treatment but nothing seems to change. When we did not know what else to do the authorities of the university sought for her friends so that she could be taken home for proper diagnoses and treatment. So that is why we decided to bring her home”, Ehis, her friend and course mate said. “What do we do?“, her father asked. After much arguments and different suggestions, they later resolved that instead of leaving her at home she should be taken to Mater General Hospital. Since a car was already available, she was immediately taken to the hospital. On getting to the hospital, the doctor on duty was called upon to attend to her. She was later given the necessary medications at least to stabilize her first while tests were suspended till the next morning since there was no lab technician on night duty. The next day, Ehis and others travelled back to Ekpoma and promised to get in touch with her soonest. “Don’t worry yourself unnecessarily about your school works. We will be covering for you. If we write any test we will write for you, besides the school management is aware of your ill health. But first, you have to get well”, Ehis said as they left the hospital. Two days later, Chichi was on her feet again and the family was happy about it. Before she was discharged the doctor on duty informed her and her parents that the result of the test conducted on her showed that she was HIV positive. That is HIV antibodies were found in her blood. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was always misconstrued as a disease that killed within eight days of contracting it. The acronym AIDS was mistaken for the number eight because of the nearness in the pronunciation of the two words. In Grace’s village for instance, the disease was known as itia ita; itia ita being their language for number eight. In the late eighties, when it was first discovered in Nigeria, you dare not tell anybody that you were HIV positive. This was inviting troubles for yourself and in most cases your entire household. It was seen as a new wave of disease with contradictory modes of transmission. There were unconfirmed reports of doctors injecting victims to death to stop them from spreading the disease. In some cases, victims were quarantined with little or no care. This was the situation Chichi found herself when the doctor told her about her HIV status. To her, this was a death sentence passed on her without any option of fine. After the doctor had disclosed Chichi’s HIV status, for some minutes the doctor’s office was as silent as the graveyard. Chichi buried her head in shame while the parents were repeatedly staring at each other. The doctor later broke the silence by comforting the family and assuring them that she could still live her normal life. To her parents, these words of consolations were not important. Besides, as far as they know, Chichi would be dead within few days and if urgent measures were not taken, all of them in the family would be infected. From the information they got about HIV/AIDS, one could get it through handshake, sneezing, hugging and sharing of the same toilet and bathroom, sleeping on the same bed etc. with an infected person. When they got home after she was finally discharged, fear of annihilation engulfed the entire family. Her younger brothers and sisters were warned to stay away from her. When Ibiam demanded to know why they were asked to avoid their elder sister, his mother shouted on him and warned sternly. “She contracted a very bad and contagious disease. You all are not allowed to go near her or do you want to die?”. Ibiam was surprised to hear such news about his beloved sister. “Is there nothing you and Daddy can do?” he asked soberly. As Chichi was planning to return to school, she suddenly fell sick. The parents who were already tired of her, simply quarantined her in one of the smallest room in the family house. She was forbidden from using the public toilet and the family’s bathroom. She was provided with a bucket to use as her own toilet. These measures according to the father were to discourage physical contact that could lead to infecting other members of the family. Though painful to them, there was nothing they could do to save the situation. The best they could do was to prevent other members of the family from contracting it. The news of Chichi’s condition spread to her school like wild fire within a very short time. When Tina got back to school, she was told about the condition of her friend. She was really shocked to hear that her friend was HIV positive. “Poor girl! But I saw her uncle, Chinedu, before I left Warri yet he didn’t tell me anything like this”, she said. The stigmatization of Chichi by members of his family and neighbours made her to develop complications quickly. She was traumatized to the point that she developed psychological problems. Even her close friends refused to visit her when they heard about her HIV status. “ It serves her right”, some had said. When Nkechi heard about her friend’s condition she was saddened. “I warned her but she would not listen”, she said. For fear of contracting the disease she refused to visit her when she visited home. When she told her parents about it, she was seriously warned. “My daughter, I don’t want you to go near that girl. I learnt that she was gallivanting everywhere and that was how she caught such a deadly disease”, Okafor said. “I heard that if you sit with somebody that has the disease, you will automatically catch it and die within eight days. I know she is your friend but you have to steer clear of her especially for now”, her mother cautioned but with so much fear and worry for the family they became closer with because of their children’s friendship. Nkechi didn’t need the warning of her parents to avoid Chichi because as far as she knew, being HIV positive meant death and no two ways about it. Therefore, going near her friend was like jumping into a raging fire “Chichi would now be thin and bony”, she said as she pictured the physical appearance of those believed to be living with the disease. As the thought went through her mind, she became more and more devastated that she was going to lose her childhood friend to AIDS. As weeks passed by, Chichi’s health deteriorated. For fear of contracting the disease, nobody went closer to her. She was abandoned without care and attention. She became a living dead person with nobody to neither talk to nor share her feelings with. She saw and felt death coming. She became sorry for herself and regretted her life styles that had led her to her present predicament. What pained her most was that she allowed her peers and selfish interest to push her into making wrong choices and engaging in risky behaviours which robbed her of her education, good health, future etc. With nobody around her, she tuned to God. She prayed everyday to God to allow her to die and leave the shame she was made to face. She also asked God to forgive all her sins and give humanity the zeal and the will power to fight the disease. Chichi’s parents were really touched by what befell their family. They were accused by members of the community of being responsible for their own predicament. “Why did they send this girl to the university or they wanted to be better than everybody else in the community? These book people hardly stay in one place”, a neighbour said. Chichi was sent to school at a time members of the community considered female education a wasteful exercise. As such, her condition was attributed to her exposure. The family was however stigmatized. Their trading activities were the worst hit. Members of the community that were aware of the condition of Chichi refused to buy from or sell to them. Classmates of the younger ones refused to sit with them in class. More so, Chichi’s condition made life miserable for the family. When Chichi realized that her condition was getting worse by the day, she called her younger brother Ibiam and demanded for a pen and a sheet of paper. Few days after discussing with her brother, she was found dead. When the family realized this, she was hurriedly buried before the news could spread around the neighbourhood. The room she spent her last days was immediately cleared. In the process, a letter she wrote to Nkechi was discovered. The contents read as follows: “My dear friend Nkechi, by the time you get this letter, I’d have been dead. This is unconnected with my HIV status, which I believe you are aware of but solely attributed to the psychological trauma I suffered as a result of the rejection, dejection, disaffection and abandonment by members of my family and friends including you. I was hale and hearty when I was discharged from the hospital and I felt so. However, my parents decided to quarantine me in order that I may not infect other members of my family with my “deadly disease”. I don’t blame anybody for my situation but myself for making wrong choices and indulging in risky behaviours and also for refusing to listen to advice from people including yours. Though it is too late for me to learn any lesson, I believe others can learn from my predicament. Please kindly forgive me for betraying our friendship and for disappointing you. Be that as it may, I’ve also forgiven you for refusing to come and see me and for abandoning me at the time I needed you most. However, I want you to devote your life campaigning against this disease and advise people to make right choices and avoid risky behaviours. This is exactly what I want you to do for me and God will richly bless you if you dedicate your life to this assignment. Don’t cry for me; rather take good care of yourself and remain blessed”. Chichi. When Nkechi got the letter and the news of her friend’s death, she wept bitterly and refused to be consoled. This development affected her countenance for the remaining part of her university education.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Tina was happy about the condition of her relationship throughout the remaining years in the university. Alaska on the other hand was determined to get married to her as soon as she was through with her education. He learnt a lot of lesson from the behavioural patterns of his friends and tried as much as he could to stop discussing his relationship with his friends .whenever such issue was raised, he would plead with them to change the topic. This really paid off and as such he was able to keep his friends and his relationship. Few months after her graduation, Tina fell sick. After the necessary tests were carried out, she was found to be HIV positive. She was shocked and devastated when the doctor broke the news to her. “God ,why me!”, she lamented. Both the doctor and her parents comforted her. “You can still live your life and achieve your life ambition”, the doctor said. He advised her that with good nutrition and regular medical checkup she could boost her immune system and be free from opportunistic infections which people living with HIV/ AIDS are most vulnerable to. When Alaska got the information about the HIV status of his fiancée he voluntarily submitted himself for test. He also tested positive to the disease. When his employer learnt that he was HIV positive, he was sacked. This incident took a heavy toll on his health. He resorted to drinking and smoking. As days passed by, his health deteriorated and when he couldn’t bear it any longer, he committed suicide. When Tina and her family learnt about it, they wept bitterly. Tina was really disappointed because there was a plan for them to be married after her National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme. She was however consoled to look up to the future especially for the sake of her health. Few months after the incident, Tina was mobilized for her NYSC and posted to Ebonyi State. She distinguished herself during her service year. At the end of the programme, she promised to dedicate her life to the campaign against HIV/AIDS and create awareness for the disease. More so, Nkechi didn’t allow the death of her childhood friend Chichi to affect her academic activities despite the emotional trauma she suffered. Most importantly, as the session was her final session in the university, she did everything within her powers to ensure that she graduated with a good result to satisfy the aspirations of her parents. Eventually, at the end of the session, she graduated from the university with a second-class upper division. She dedicated her result to her late friend and promised to channel her energy to the duties she committed to her through her last letter. Her parents were also happy that she successfully completed her course of study in the university despite their lean financial situation. They showed appreciation to God for his wonderful deeds by organizing a thanksgiving service at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Afikpo. Few months after her graduation, she was mobilized for her NYSC programme and posted to Akwa Ibom State. When the time came for her departure to the orientation camp, she made the necessary arrangements with a lot of anxieties, hope and aspirations. On the day orientation camp was opened, she travelled to Ikot Itie Udung in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State where the orientation camp is located. Her journey was smooth and hitch free, but on getting to the camp, she met a cumbersome registration exercises. However, she withstood the rigour and concluded her registration the second day. Activities in the camp were so hectic. They were woken up officially by 5.00am but Nkechi woke up by 4.00am daily, took her bath in readiness for morning drills. After the official swearing in ceremony, which was attended by the state governor, activities in the camp started in earnest. By 5.30am, corp members assembled at the parade ground for morning drills. After drills, parade rehearsals, seminars/ lectures, language studies and competitions on platoons bases follow. In between these activities were breakfast, lunch and dinner. These activities were regimented; as such every corp member was expected to participate except those with medical reports. Though tedious, there were a lot of fun in participating in these activities. Nkechi equally had her fun, made new friends, which actually was one of the fundamental reasons for the introduction of the NYSC programme. Of all the activities in the camp, the one that was of more interest her was the seminar on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health organized by NYSC in collaboration with the United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF). It was the first time such programme was introduced in NYSC camps. The knowledge she acquired about HIV/AIDS at the seminar was phenomenal. When volunteers were sought at the end of the seminar to participate in a six-day intensive training programme as Peer Education Trainers (PET) in their places of primary assignment, she saw it as a great opportunity and therefore got herself enlisted. The six days training programme was an eye opener to Nkechi and many of the participants. In one of the sessions, she wept openly and when the facilitators demanded to know her reasons, she confessed to them how she contributed to the death of her childhood friend. She told them how her friend was abandoned and quarantined when she was discovered to be HIV positive and as such was traumatized to death. “We are deeply sorry about your friend but it wasn’t really your fault”, Inyang, whose workshop name was Giant said. “We have heard and seen all these things. That is why we are putting you through these lectures to enlighten you and other people about the disease and how those infected should be cared for”, he concluded. Giant was facilitating a session on common beliefs and mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS when this incident happened. It was here Nkechi learnt for the first time that one cannot contract the disease through care and support for the persons living with the virus. She was also made to understand that the person living with the virus could actually continue to live a normal life and achieve his or her life ambitions. “So Chichi would have been alive today if she was given care and support. She did not deserve to die”, Nkechi thought and wept again. At the end of the programme, many of the participants confessed that they were made to know many things they were never aware of. Giant and other facilitators made all the training sessions enjoyable through their friendly posture throughout the duration of the programme. They generally agreed that the tasks and challenges before them were enormous and as such promised to put their best to ensure that the programme succeeds in their places of primary assignment.
CHAPTER NINE
After the six days intensive lectures on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, Nkechi became sober and this greatly affected her participation in her platoon’s activities. Before Giant left the camp, he counselled her on the steps she needed to take especially in carrying out the assignment entrusted to her by her friend Chichi before her death. More so, the knowledge she acquired and the information at her disposal were enough to guide her. She therefore promised to serve humanity and carry out her assignment with all sense of commitment. With this in mind, she was ready to serve in any part of the state be it rural, semi- urban or urban. The fun and friendly atmosphere in the camp was gradually giving way to anxieties. Corp members were agitated about where they would be posted to. Some tried to influence their posting to the few urban areas in the state such as Uyo; the state capital, Eket; where oil companies and allied industries are located, Ikot Ekpene, Oron, Itu etc. the quest for these few areas was due to the fact that most of the rural areas in the state lacked basic necessities of life such as good roads, pipe borne water, electricity, health centres etc. Though many corp members detested such areas, Nkechi didn’t see these as hindrances to achieving her goals. This being so, when she got her posting letter and discovered that she was posted to Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ekpenyong Atai in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state, she was never disappointed at all. While many jubilated after getting their posting letters, some were sober and others received theirs with mixed feelings. On getting hers, Nkechi simply took her luggage to the bus the local government provided and headed to her place of primary assignment. “The real exercise as far as NYSC is concern has just begun”. She said to herself. Ekpenyong, the community where Nkechi was posted to for her primary assignment was a typical rural community without any basic necessity of life. Mainly peasant farmers and petty traders dominate it. When it was dark here, it was dark except when there was moonlight. On getting to the village, Nkechi didn’t allow the condition she met on ground to discourage her. For efficiency and effectiveness of the programme, she was paired with a boy named Adeyinka from Ibadan in the Western part of Nigeria. Adeyinka, though interested in the programme, was disappointed by the condition of his host community. From what he noticed, the community was social and accommodating but staying in a place without electricity and water wasn’t what he bargained for. He informed Nkechi of his plan to ask for rejection letter from his supposed employer so that he can be redeployed to another place, precisely Ikot Ekpene. Nkechi was disappointed that the person she was to work together with had a different mindset entirely from hers. She told Yinka that she had no intention of seeking for a rejection letter since she had already made up her mind in staying at wherever she was posted to. She later persuaded him to stay on the grounds that the community needed the knowledge more. “Look Yinka, this community needs us and this information even more than those in the urban areas. This service is humanitarian and no amount of sacrifice will be too much”, she pleaded. She told him how she lost her childhood friend to ignorance of the disease which is inherent in the rural areas. After a lengthy discussion, Yinka accepted to stay with her and carry out the programme in their school of primary assignment and the community. Before Adeyinka went to camp, he was into a very serious relationship with Nike, a girl he was very proud of. He often boasted about her in the presence of his friends and promised to get married to her immediately after his service year. Everything was moving toward this direction and Nike was also happy about this development. Few weeks before the opening of camp, she travelled to Lagos to see her uncle and promised to return before Yinka leaves for camp. However, this was not to be as he travelled to camp without seeing his beloved who was supposed to bid him farewell. On his third day in camp, precisely the day they were sworn in officially as corp members, he received a message from Nike that he should forget about her and that she was no longer interested in the relationship. When he got the message, he was devastated and heartbroken. He resorted to drinking in the camp and spending most of his time at the Mammy Market. He later discovered that Nike was into another relationship and that she did not visit her uncle in Lagos after all; rather she was staying with her new lover. This development later became a turning point in his life. When he saw the posters announcing the seminar on HIV/AIDS he became curious and was eager to attend the programme. On the day of the programme, the topic that caught his attention most was when one of the facilitators treated a topic captioned “STI / HIV risk assessment”. “Your level of risk of contracting STI and HIV is dependent on the number of “yes” or “no” to the following question”, the facilitator said. “ Think seriously about the following questions
“ Answer these questions in your mind and your answers will tell you your level of risk of being infected with STI / HIV”, he concluded. When Yinka assessed the questions posed by the facilitator in his mind, he was astonished by the ratio of yes to no especially when he discovered that Nike was dating him along with her ‘new lover’ “I’m finished”, he said. It was at this point he decided to participate in the training programme to acquire more knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Apart from the knowledge he acquired during the period of the training programme, he also used the busy schedules that characterized the it to forget about his lost relationship. It helped him to stop excessive intake of alcohol, his newfound comforter during the period of his psychological trauma. At the end of the programme, he also made up his mind to take the it seriously in his place of primary assignment. This being so, when Nkechi pleaded with him to stay in Ekpenyoug, his love for the programme helped him to make up his mind to stay. After submitting their posting and introduction letter to the principal, they officially informed him about the programme and solicited for his help and cooperation for the success of the programme. The principal was happy about such programme in his school. “You are in this school at the right time”, the principal remarked. He promised to give them the necessary help to enable them succeed in every sphere of the programme. The next day, they interviewed the students to find out their level of awareness of HIV and AIDS. They were astonished to know that the students had relatively low knowledge about the disease and its modes of transmission. To formally open the programme in the school, they organized an awareness campaign for both the students and the staff of the school. The topic they treated was “HIV/AIDS and its Modes of Transmission”. This was facilitated by Nkechi. “HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This is the virus that causes AIDS. On the other hand, AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. You can contract HIV through having unprotected sex; sharing of sharp or pointed instrument such as razor blade, barbing clippers, piercing needles, scarification knives; Transfusion of infected blood or blood products; infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery and after delivery during breast feeding’’, she explained. When she finished with the ways through which HIV/AIDS could be contracted she advised them to avoid risky behaviours, especially the ones she enumerated. By way of emphasis, she charged them to abstain from premarital sex, which according to her, accounted for the greatest percentage of infections. When her partner Adeyinka mounted the stage, he spoke to them on the ways through which people cannot contract HIV/AIDS. “You can’t contract HIV/AIDS through shaking of hands, hugging or sleeping on the same bed with infected persons, sharing of the same toilet or bathroom, sneezing or coughing, Also, mosquito or insect bites cannot cause AIDS”, he said. He admonished them to show love and care to the people living with the virus and help to stamp out stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS which according to him, was killing people faster than the virus. The staff and students were excited about the information and the ways the topics were treated. What fascinated them most were the energizers and songs they adopted to capture the attention of the participants. At the end of the programme, volunteers to be trained as peer educators were sought and the response was phenomenal. These young boys and girls accepted the programme with much enthusiasm. When the principal finally agreed on the day and time Nkechi and Yinka proposed for the training, the programme started immediately. The training programme was always the time the participants looked forward to. They were really excited about the knowledge they acquired from the programme. Apart from HIV/AIDS related issues, topics relating to their health were also treated. They actively participated in all the sessions of the training and asked questions where necessary. In one of the sessions, a participant asked if somebody could contract HIV through Kissing. “Yes and No,” Nkechi responded. “Yes because if the person you are kissing has open sore in the mouth and there is bleeding in the process, infection can occur. On the other hand, if there is no sore and bleeding, infection cannot occur. Though HIV has been isolated from Saliva, the amount present is not enough to cause AIDS”, she concluded. Participants were also enlightened on other Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts, pubic lice, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) etc. Though some of these diseases are curable, they highlighted the short and long term effects of these diseases. The response and enthusiasm shown by the students and staff made Nkechi and her partner to take the campaign to the community and faith based organizations within and outside the community. Their activities were well publicized and people commended their efforts in trying to re-orient the people about HIV/AIDS and their attitudes toward people living with the virus. When Grace heard about the campaign on HIV/AIDS going on in her community, she travelled home with Tina who had already joined the network of people living with HIV/AIDS to see the people behind the project. At home, the level of awareness in the community and its environs amazed her. “This has not even happened in the city”, she commented. She was really happy about this development in her own community. When she finally met Nkechi and Yinka she commended their initiatives and efforts in bringing such a programme to such a remote community. She told them about Tina who was living with the virus yet determined to achieve her dreams and aspirations. “Her fiancé was not so lucky. He was dismissed when his employer found out that he was HIV positive”, Grace said. “That is inhuman. People living with HIV/AIDS are supposed not to be discriminated against. Besides they are still human beings”, Nkechi responded and promised to channel his case to the appropriate authorities. “He is dead now”, Tina said soberly. “How did it happen?” Yinka asked. “He committed suicide” Grace answered. Nkechi and Yinka who were now full of pity for Grace and her daughter promised to take up Alaska’s case with the company and ensure that they get justice at the end of the day. Nkechi later told them how she also lost her childhood friend Chichi to the disease and how she had mandated her through a letter she wrote on her dying bed to embark on the campaign to enlighten people about the disease. “I also know of Chichi who died of AIDS. She used to visit her uncle Chinedu who is my neigbour in Warri. She was a very good friend to my daughter. They also attended the same school”, Grace said “That is true”, Tina seconded. “Which university did you attend? Nkechi asked “AAU, Ekpoma”, Tina replied. “Oh! I think I know you. I used to see you with her. You’re Tina, right? She used to say a lot about you. I also graduated from there” she said, her eyes filled with tears. They were really happy to meet each other and share their problems together. They later exchanged addresses and promised to meet again. At the end of their service year, they informed the community leaders about their plan to go back to their states. The leaders commended their efforts and the succour they brought to their people in the community. The school in conjunction with the community leaders organized a send-off party for them. On the occasion, speakers after speakers commended them and charged them to continue with such humanitarian works. They were presented with various gift items. The high point of the day was the unveiling of a monument built by the community in honour of Nkechi and her colleague. They were asked to perform the unveiling of the monument, which was boldly, worded with the inscription “Nkechi and Adeyinka have found a cure to HIV/AIDS in our community and the cure is information, so get information about HIV/AIDS”. Nkechi and Yinka were overwhelmed by the honour done them by the community. They promised to continue the campaign and ensure that people were well equipped with the right information, which according to the inscription on the monument was a panacea to the eradication of HIV/AIDS in the country and the world at large. “We thank you so much for this honour and for giving us the opportunities to achieve our assignment here. Without your cooperation, the successes recorded would not have been achieved”, Nkechi responded. For their efforts and outstanding performances, they were among those honoured by the state government and were subsequently recommended for presidential award. Passing out parade was another opportunity for corp members to meet themselves again. After the ceremony, Nkechi bade farewell to Yinka and promised to meet in order to successfully pursue the case of Alaska with his employer. They exchanged pleasantries and parted. Nkechi’s parents were happy to welcome their daughter back home after a successful service year. Chichi’s parents who had heard of the activities of Nkechi were also on hand to welcome her. They thanked her for keeping the memory of their daughter alive. They felt sorry about the sudden death of Chichi, which they attributed to lack of information on HIV/AIDS and its modes of transmission. Few months later Nkechi was employed as a broadcaster in Focal Point Television. As a broadcaster, she performed beautifully well in programme presentation. She was loved by both young and old. She introduced a programme which she personally anchored; tagged HIV/AIDS and you”. She used the programme to enlighten people about HIV/AIDS. “HIV is the disease with the cheapest preventive measures. This is so because everything boils down to our conducts and choices in life”, she said in one of the editions of the programme. The programme became one of the most popular programmes on TV because of her styles of presentation. This went a long way to assist her in her campaign against HIV/AIDS. Her humanitarian work and attributes attracted her to Frank – a lawyer in private practice. She later used his services to get compensation from Alaska’s company for unlawfully terminating his appointment, which later resulted in his death. This celebrated case marked a turning point in the life of those living with the virus as their rights were being protected against unnecessary violation by employers. Few months after the court victory, Frank and Nkechi got married. After the wedding ceremony, which took place on the 1st of December, which is celebrated every year as world AIDS Day, she became exhausted and lying beside her beloved husband on her most memorable day, fell into a very deep sleep.
CHAPTER TEN
Nkechi heard a sound from a distance. It sounded so real like the voice of a group of people having a big party “Who are these people? What are they doing there?” she asked rhetorically. She heard another voice closely behind her shouting with a loud voice, “It must be crushed. Very soon it would go into extinction because our people must live”. She turned suddenly to see who was making the sound. Behold a man on white robe was standing beside her. She was a little nervous but without hesitation she asked, “What is happening there? Who are those people and what was the shout for?” “They are members of Hit and Run Association of Nigeria, ‘Hit run’ for short”, the man answered. Nkechi inquired further to know more about the association and its members. The man told her to sit down and told her all what she needed to know about the association and its members “Members of this ignoble association refer to themselves as ‘sharp men’. They are simply those who go into relationship with ulterior motives. Membership cut across professions and interest groups; politicians, businessmen, traders, professionals, students, private, public workers etc. are committed members. Surprisingly, our religious leaders who are supposed to be preaching against immorality in the society, are also ardent members. “The association does not have leaders. Members either operate individually or collectively. Most of them are extremely rich while others are not. The rich members with cash and cars become emergency generous men immediately they sight their prey. The average members devise various means to entice their victims into their traps. Some are extremely articulate, others endowed with mellifluous voices, which they use with great dexterity to portray to their victims their good intentions but with selfish interest. “Girls and women are always their victims. However, those who fall prey to members of this association always make themselves known by the types of clothes they put on and their styles of lives. They go out with half-naked and skimpy dresses with masked faces to show their level of exposure. These girls and women dress without taking their morality and decency into consideration. They exhibit their madness simply because they are society ladies, students Lagos girls, or had once stayed in Lagos or Abuja. They want to be easily ‘encoded and decoded’ by people as campus babes, Warri, Benin, Port Harcourt or Enugu babes etc. “When members of this association sight their prey (easily known by their dressing and behavioural pattern) they’d quickly approach them with their selfish generosity. For instance, if this sharp man was riding a car, he’d offer his victim a ride. The lady may resist for more pressure or go in immediately. The lady knows what the sharp man wants and as such is ready for any conversation that’d ensue from him. After a short or long ride as the case may be, the lady will alight but not without having the man’s card and sometimes plus cash to establish contact afterward. Sooner or later, they will become friends and the ‘sharp man’ will quickly dig-deep to achieve his purpose and thereafter run away. This group doesn’t care how much money they spend as long as their objectives are achieved. They are ready to satisfy their victims and lure them into their traps. Politicians, top businessmen, professionals etc. belong to this group. “The articulate group consists of members who may not be financially buoyant. Nevertheless, they have their modus operandi that is either overtly or covertly initiated. Some spend their time with the dictionary where they memorize some of the ‘big words’, which they use when communicating with their prey. Their victims who more often than not exhibit low self-esteem view them as intellectuals. With this they are attracted to them and little by little, the ‘sharp men’ will achieve their aims. Some resort to presenting their victims with cheap gifts such as cards and flowers in the name of love. They talk of love always yet their minds are far from it. Their victims misunderstand lust for love. This group never forgets 14th February every year but immediately their aims are achieved, they are off. Besides, few of them are very patient. This set doesn’t rush into their victims but rather adopt a gradual approach. No matter how long it would take them to achieve their aims, they’re ready to play along and immediately their prayers are answered they take to their heels with flimsy excuses. Students, civil servants etc belong to this sub-group. “Another group is made up of those that spend money on themselves instead of their victims. They buy good clothes, shoes, perfumes, creams etc for themselves. They often gallivant about well dressed. Their preys are captivated by their alluring posture and disposition. When they finally lure them and achieve their objectives, they move on. This particular group consists of members who go about counting the number of girls they sleep with, with little or no effect on their pockets. During outings, they spend more on themselves and little on the girls or women. They go out with expensive clothes but don’t care about what the girls they take out put on. Traders, youth corp members, students etc constitute the majority in this group”. When he finished describing the different categories of people that make up the membership of this association Nkechi, was astonished. “ What should the girls or the women do?” she asked. “Girls should be vigilant and always watch out for the members of this association”, he replied. “If they don’t want to fall victims, they should always dress decently and resist cheap offers which are mostly done with ulterior motives. They should not easily fall for cheap gifts and should always decline to have sex with whoever approaches them in the name of love. It’s pertinent to note that when they resist and stand by the meaning of love, the ‘sharp man’ will definitely run away because sex is always their major reason, goal and objective. Again, it’s a wrong impression to believe that sex lubricates love. Those that genuinely love you aren’t those that have sex with you or verbally confess it only but those that show same through their good thoughts and actions toward you. These include guiding you toward making right decisions and highlighting the dangers of toeing the wrong direction. “Though some of these relationships survive for years and are even taken to the altar for solemnization, one thing is clear and certain, any relationship that begins with ulterior motive, will crumble sooner or later. Girls or women who find themselves in this type of relationship and want it to survive should always be ready for sacrifices. They shouldn’t give up easily. “With the speed in which diseases are transmitted sexually, people should avoid indiscriminate sex. The unmarried should try as much as they can to abstain from all manners of sexual relationships. The married should be faithful to their partners. Besides, pleasures with impending disaster are bad and should not be reckoned with. These men spread diseases with ease. HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis etc abound in their warehouses. It’s bad to live a life full of suspense with a trial by error approach since you cannot tell what a beautiful girl or a handsome man is carrying about. If you know that you are a member, please in your own interest, voluntarily resign from this disastrous associations”, he concluded and disappeared. Nkechi was left alone in the dark. She screamed with fear. “Where are they? Where are they? I must scatter that association and destroy all its members”, she shouted. The shout and scream woke her husband up. “Darling, what is the matter? Wake up! Frank said as he tried to wake her up from her sleep. “So it was all in my sleep. So I was dreaming. What a terrible dream!”, she said when she finally regain her consciousness. “You were shouting in your sleep that some persons were responsible for the death of your friend and that you wanted to kill them”, Frank said staring vacantly at his wife. When she finally regained her strength, she told her husband about the dream she had and the countenance of the man that narrated everything to her. “Everything seemed so real. He may be an angel”, she said. “I am trying to get the meaning of the dream”, Frank said. “Please do” Nkechi urged “I believe the man is condemning the attitudes of most men toward women. You know women are most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, As such, the customs and traditions where the men are allowed to sleep with as many women as possible is responsible for the rapid increase in the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa”, he argued. “I agree with you totally”, Nkechi replied. With her marriage over, she reiterated her commitment to devote her entire life to fighting against HIV/AIDS and re-orient the people on the need to make right choices. She wrote many books and articles condemning the attitude of men toward the women. She also encouraged girls and women to be firm and decisive when it comes to making decisions that will affect their lives. “When you go to the churches, the mosques, the women are more, in schools they also dominate. If you allow the men to continue to exploit you despite your numerical strength, you are among women most miserable”, she said in one of the editions of her programme. Frank was excited about the state of mind of his wife. He promised to give her the necessary support for her to realize her dream of setting up her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to enable her realize the duties bestowed on her by her friend more effectively. A year later, she invited her friends, relatives including Adeyinka, Grace, Tina, Chichi’s parents to witness the launch of her NGO. She called it Divine Foundation. The major aims and objectives of the foundation were to campaign against HIV/AID and women empowerment etc. “This is made possible by my friend Chichi. I will continue to keep her memory alive because she didn’t deserve to die. Though she is dead, I want to assure everybody here that HIV/AIDS could equally be dead and forgotten if everybody gets the right information, makes the right choices and avoid risky behaviours. To God be the glory. Thank you very much for honouring this invitation”, she said in her speech. The guests were happy about her zeal and determination. They promised to carry on her message to their various communities and places of residents. Grace who was overwhelmed by what she saw promised to set up her NGO with the same objectives. The occasion was also a platform for re-union of Nkechi and Adeyinka, who was also married and was doing well in his job. “How is the programme over there?” Nkechi asked. “I am now working with the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) in my State”, Yinka replied. “That is nice, please keep the flag flying”, she said as she embraced him. They exchange pleasantries and promised to chase HIV/AIDS out of Nigeria. They were particularly happy about the health of Tina who, though was HIV positive was looking healthy which according to her was due to proper medications and good nutrition. “My doctor said my CD4 cells are still high and that my progression to opportunistic infections and AIDS would still be delayed for more years if I continue to eat good food”, Tina said when Nkechi commented on her health. “That is good news. You should continue to let the public know about your HIV status and your condition of health. I think this would help those living with the virus to know that there is still life after infection”, Nkechi suggested as she made her way to her car. “That is exactly what I’m doing” Tina responded and bade her goodbye as they made their way out of the venue.
THE END