Started from the bottom......

Peeping through the window to get a glimpse of what was thought in the classroom. I had to somehow learn to read and write. On my way home, I always looked out for broken pencils or any sort of writing material so I could practice all I learnt during the day. We were so poor; my mum told us it was luxury eating 3 times a day, that we were blessed having 1 or 2 meals in a day. I never complained, I was born into poverty but I didn’t plan to die in it.

I hoped to be a doctor someday…I watched ER from my neighbors window some nights and I imagine saving lives like those doctors.  I was 7 years old and in Pry 4 (if you count window schooling as a sort of education), common entrance was fast approaching and I had to enroll to write this exam.

There was this inter-state exam for the physically challenged, it was done every year, and the top three were given scholarships to finish secondary school. I had to do this exam. I went to the venue with my elder sister who kept making fun of me by the way, trying to demoralize me, but no, I would not give in to such unnecessary pressure. I matched forward to the admin officer and told her I wanted to enroll.

She smiled at me. Is your leg broken love? No. Do you have a problem with your sight? No Ma’am. Do you have any difficulty whatsoever moving around? Not really. So you cannot apply for this exam, it is for the challenged students of this community.

I raised my shirt to show my ribs that were almost piercing out from my flesh. I am very hungry yet determined child ma’am so that qualifies me as a challenged person, maybe not physically but in every other way.

I am sorry child; there is nothing I can do for you. It’s the standard regulation; anyone enrolled must have a kind of challenge. I backed off. I had to seek plan B.

My saving grace came. This lady asked me to visit her church for a test and they would advise further. Of course I did super well in the exams. I got a scholarship to attend a federal secondary school. It wasn’t easy. After all the bullying, washing of toilet, cutting grass, washing clothes for seniors, I still managed to pass my exams. I had to keep the end in sight.

Daddy passed on. He wasn’t able to support my ordeal in any way but he was an important figure in my life and I would miss him dearly. RIP daddy. I will always love you and will do you proud.

SSCE was fast approaching and the thought of university always came to mind. I had saved all I worked for and it still wouldn’t cut it. All the holiday jobs, alabaru, washer girl, fetching water, house cleaning, baby sitting…..the money from it wouldn’t even pay my first year in the university. My mum had ruled me out. You think you can be as lucky as the last time. How many people get a scholarship through the university…life isn’t all about luck oo.

You know what, I put it into consideration, and I didn’t bank on been as lucky as I was…I am 14 years old now and in SS2 it is a miracle I got here in the first place….

Criminal Mind

There’s the thought of carrying out some evil deed and all that could settle in was death….death!! Who is worthy of death by my hands?

You are fired!!! His voice rang in my ears.

Sir, I can’t imagine another person’s error would warrant me being fired and I think a warning letter would be fair.

Do you think life is fair!!! You cost this company a 12 Billion Naira contract because of your recklessness. How could you have let that huge sum slip from your grasp!! Security will walk you to the door and do not expect any gratuity whatsoever.

What!!! I felt life drain out of me. I couldn’t believe things were changing this instant. This is my dream job. Where would I start from? No savings and huge expenses.

Luck shone on me, though it wasn’t easy, but I rose to the top. Now I am counted amongst the top 20 richest women in the country even if it took me 5 years to get here.

Death!  He most definitely is worthy. I need a strategy…

Two years after....

Nice car! Even in my wildest imagination I wouldn’t have expected you to save me from this mess. A broken down vehicle on 3^rd mainland bridge at this hour….bad combination.

We both laughed.

You are just a lucky man sir. I am only taking this car for a spin. Watched a movie over the weekend and they made me believe it could run almost as fast as a plane.

A spin on this bridge!! I would advise against that…too many bumps and pot holes.

Chicken!!  Brace yourself. I’m sure we’ll be fine…. Or I’ll be fine at least. I stepped on the accelerator and men this car moves…..pity this is the only time I get to drive it.

I gauged the bend; I knew there was a  bump just before it. I could see the fear in Dapo’s eyes. My very own former boss afraid… Death sure has a face….we hit the handrail, flipped right over it and yes…we were in the air, then downward into the lagoon. Dapo was screaming. I had a smirk on my face.

It can go either way, we both die or one of us survives and that person sure as hell will be me. There’s a huge splash and we were sinking.

Bayo was struggling with his seat belt…hahaha, just as I anticipated, it was stuck! It will be a thing of joy to ensure he sees me smile just before his belly gets jammed with the water from the lagoon. I turned, looked into his eyes and said “Don’t panic Dapo, that won’t help us” I smiled. I unhooked my seat belt asked “Do you trust me Dapo”? Of course his answer was ‘yes’ as his life automatically depended on me… I smiled again. “Die in peace my friend”….I wound down and swam up.

I was glad. Mission accomplished. How easy that was….well except for my $125,000 car.

HOLY MOLLY!!!! That was one heck of a dream. Phew!!

In the office the following morning, my client called and stated he was going to invest with our biggest competitor …..SHIT, Dapo is going to fire my ass!!!

fruit of the Spirit

…..I was in my car heading out to for a meeting with my friend Dami and there was a lot of traffic at the Lekki toll. I was frustrated and on the edge as my nanny had wasted my time trying to explain how Tutu’s (my daughter) pajamas’ got stock in the washing machine and how the akara almost torched my kitchen. Nannies need a separate kind of schooling.....

I was super tensed….who knew a 20 minute drive could extend to almost 2 hours. Is Goodluck in town abi bawo, I mustn’t miss this meeting oo. I managed to pass the toll, ope oo, no traffic!! Then this 4Runner comes right at me…….GBOSAA! He ran straight into my fender and did not wait oo. He drove off and gave me the waka sign. Mogbe!! In this Lagos!!! I step on my accelerator, sped past the dude and slammed my brakes. He ran into me again and this time my fender was on the floor. I jumped out of the car, walked straight to the driver…..Pa! Pa!! Pa!!! Three hot slaps without a flinch. I was in rage….I didn’t even bother speaking English…..Oju e fo ni, eni ti o ma pa lo n wa, oti was je gbese!! Bole bole ko wa mo gbese e oo. (are you blind, you are looking for a victim to kill now you have run into debt!! come down and see how much your bill is). As the dude stepped out, I followed him with a slap from behind. He spoke under his voice….'Dear God, why today'. At this point some people had gathered, trying to put together what happened. I picked up my phone and called my husband, then the head of security in the office and finally my mechanic. This dude must be dealt with; I had even forgotten I was trying to get to a meeting.

The head of security was there within minutes, he owed me a favour so I guess he was eager to pay back. He lynched the guy and threw him into his van, hooked the guys’ jeep to his and towed them both away.

I couldn’t condone what had happened but I felt a sense of content when I heard someone say ‘all this reckless drivers should meet mad people like this every now and then’….

I didn’t make it in time for my meeting; in fact, I got there at the end. I apologized to my friend and explained what had happened on my way.

Woman of God!! My friend exclaimed. You always preach about self control and here you are gloating about how you treated someone. He couldn’t have run into you intentionally..

Error you call it! What if he had killed me?

But he didn’t!

What if he had wrecked my car completely?

But he didn’t!!

Woo Mope; are you trying to crucify me?

Why are you getting all upset? I’m only stating the obvious. What have you gained by putting that man in a cell? That won’t fix your car and from what you have told me, you created a scene, what would do to your junior colleague if you find him on the streets of Lekki in the same situation? You slapped a grown man 3 times and you are happy about it. What if he had retaliated and beat you up? Ore, I shouldn’t be the one telling you that you have gone about the whole thing in an improper way.

Hello! Who is this? Mope answers her phone. Oh my God!!! I’m on my way right now.

What is it? Dami asked in anxiety.

The driver just had a seizure and is in the hospital. I need to go…

I’m coming with you. Dami snatched her purse as she head out with Mope.

In the hospital, the driver of the car had been revived but was to be put under surveillance for another 24 hours. Immediately Mope walked in, he shouted ‘stay away from me, evil person’. You almost took our lives.

Ha ha! What is that supposed to mean. You hit and abused me yet you have the audacity to call me evil. Obviously whatever happened at the police station was staged so you could leave abi! I will show you pepper in this Lagos. What do you mean by ‘our lives’?

Calm down Mope, Dami says calmly. He just mentioned it wasn’t just him in the car. Can’t you just hear his side of the story first? Obviously something doesn’t add up.

Thank you madam. The driver says as he tries to sit up. My wife had a tummy ache and she was complaining bitterly, she couldn’t even walk straight so I had to rush her to the hospital. She was lying on the back seat, screaming like a knife was cutting through her skin. As I passed the toll, I didn’t hear her anymore, so on top speed, without thinking, I looked back only to see she had passed out and BOOM!! I hit your friend. I couldn’t wait to explain or start an argument because I didn’t even know if my wife had died. I waved and gestured that she followed me. This I did because the hospital was just at the bend and I could look at the damage as soon as my wife was attended to.

That’s a lie!!! Mope tried to cut in.

Lo and behold, your friend sped past me and slammed her brakes. Before I could blink, she was all cat woman on me. It all happened so fast and before I knew it, we were in a police station. She was not even there. When her police friend saw my wife, on the floor of the car, I guess it worried him, so he checked her pulse and called an ambulance. At that point, I was screaming on top of my voice and next thing, I woke up here.

And your wife? Mope asked more calmly.

She is fine, thank God.

Wow, Mope!! You almost killed two people just because you lost your cool. Imagine the trouble you will be in if the story were otherwise. Anthony (Chief security) too will share in this trouble for trying to help you out.

Well thank God the story isn’t any worse. Mope murmured. I apologize Mr.…..

Smith….Olasunkanmi Smith.

I’m sorry Mr. Smith. I was in a hurry and my maid had upset me plus she ruined my schedule. This doesn't mean you will not fix my car..... I guess today was just a really bad day.......for you I mean.

Chei...Mope Mope. Crazy woman!!

Mope did not exhibit these traits:

GENTLENESS: Gentle strength under self-control. NUMBERS 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

If she was gentle, she wouldn't have slapped a grown man. Another woman's husband. Haba!

SELF-CONTROL: Holding back or restrain oneself. JOHN 19:10-11

¹⁰ So Pilate said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer me? Don’t you know that I have the authority to free you or to crucify you?”

¹¹ Jesus answered Pilate, “You wouldn’t have any authority over me if it hadn’t been given to you from above. That’s why the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

She felt she knew people in power that could deal with the driver. What I didn’t add to the story was Mr. Smith was brother to Mope's Managing Director. Who do you think has the upper hand now....

KINDNESS: Ability to show extravagant favor. 2 Samuel 9:1

¹ Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Kindness is far from what Mope had in mind. She had given in completely to the works of the flesh and unfortunately for many of us these days, we do not see this as wrong. Challenges come in various ways and the manner at which we handle each one varies pending on how we allow the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our lives.

Your mindset is critical to exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 2:4-5

⁴ Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others. ⁵ Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.