The moment I met you(chapter 16)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Just then, Chioma’s thoughts raced towards the man she had bumped into this afternoon. She imagined him living in golden houses and drinking with diamond cups. What if she became his wife, would she be able to cope with his table etiquette? Chioma thought. She wasn’t used to living the life of the rich. She was only used to a simple lifestyle which was peaceful.   She, her brother and mother had led a very poor life after their father died here in Abuja road accident early this year January.                                                                                         

The fatal accident that claimed the life of her lovely father had occurred at sheda village, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway. Chioma’s father, Magnus, had left early in the morning to meet a friend who was supposed to pay him the Contract of 500,000 naira he owed him for the building work he had done. Magnus was a builder before he died. Unfortunately for Magnus on that bitter day, a truck loaded with cows ran into a pothole and crashed into a ditch, which was close to where Magnus stood, thereby killing him and two other persons on the spot.                                                                                      

  Chioma   had thought that if the truck wasn’t on speed as well as the driver trying to avoid a pothole perhaps her father would still be alive.    If her father hadn’t gone to get the money for the family’s upkeep he would still be alive. If and only if, that day never came, she was sure her father would still be a breathing man.                                        

  Since the day she lost her father, Chioma began to hate the word if.   Her father was dead already, and it became useless saying the word if, because nothing was going to be done to bring him back to his feet. But after bumping into this graceful, handsome man, she began to like the word if again. She wanted to meet him again. If she would have the chance to meet him again, she definitely wouldn’t waste every single seconds of being together with him. She would let him hug her. She would be the luckiest woman on earth if she ended up marrying the god-like man.

The moment I met you (Chapter 15)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

She beamed proudly at her son who was often praised by his boss to be physically and mentally fit, had a solid knowledge of mechanic’s tools, service, and diagnostic equipment. He started the job two months ago and had been known as the best mechanic here in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Louisa wished he got a better job that would be stress free. Hopefully, someday, he would find a better job. Perhaps, a white collar-job or any lucrative work that will fit his profession as a mechanical engineering graduate or even own a big garage of his own.                                     

Chioma stared at the spaghetti in the plate. The spaghetti had egg toppings, a few beef slices and fresh fried fish. She had gotten a few cookbooks from Chisom and had learnt this particular way of cooking spaghetti and taught her mother.  In the end, her mother’s spaghetti cooking skills had exceeded hers.  Chioma knew that this simple dish, which smelled pleasing, was able to whet anyone’s appetite. She wasn’t that hungry but the dish before her was no doubt irresistible.                            

Without looking up, she took giant bites of her food, nodding with satisfaction. ‘You’re simply the best cook, mum. I’m sure you are better than those chefs who cook in hotels and mansions’, she praised her mother, raising her thumbs up.                                                                

Louisa waved a hand. ‘It’s no big deal. Anyone could do it even better’, she said, not wanting to take the credit. ‘Besides, you taught me how to cook spaghetti.'                                                                                      

‘Yea, I did but you cook it better now. I’m good with simple dishes’, Chioma pouted.                                                                                               

‘The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’, Andrew said, picking up his glass of water. ‘Rich men love good cooks’. He raised the glass to his lips. ‘You might be fortunate to bump into a rich guy’, he glanced at Chioma. ‘You ought to learn how to be a perfect cook, just like mum’. He sipped his water.                                                                    

Chioma chuckled, skillfully holding up the spaghetti with her fork. ‘I will try my best’, she said, stuffing her mouth with food in large portions.’ If my husband to-be hates my poor cooking skills, then I will invite mother over’, she joked, and they laughed.                                                        

‘What about table etiquette?’ Louisa asked, still laughing.                      

‘Who cares about table etiquette? For the poor, we should only care about our stomachs first. We’re not the rich that will mind those things. For the rich everything must be done in an aristocratic manner. But for me, if am very hungry I will be too lazy to bother about table etiquette and who is before me,’ she pouted.                                               

Andrew nodded. ‘Honestly, the etiquette of aristocrats is so boring’, he said, gobbling his food down.                                                             

‘The rich don’t know what it means to be poor and eat without minding table etiquette. Sometimes, am glad to be poor and free,’ Chioma said and they chuckled.                                                                      

The moment I met you (Chapter 14)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

‘Tomorrow is another day,’ Andrew said with a reassuring smile.                

‘Thanks big brother, Andrew.’                                                                            

Louisa returned from the kitchen with plates and forks in hand and saw that Andrew had already started stuffing the food into his mouth as he sat casually on his seat. The food was very delicious that anyone would be tempted to devour it even without saying grace.  Louisa was very skilled as a cook and could make dishes that would make anyone want some more just like Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist.                   

‘Andrew?’ Louisa frowned at Andrew’s behaviour and Chioma laughed.                                                                                                                       

Andrew raised an eyebrow as he licked the food stains from his lips with the tip of his tongue. It was obvious he was very hungry. He hadn’t eaten since afternoon and was starving.                                                         

‘Mum, big brother was very hungry. You know the nature of his work, right?’ Chioma said, trying to defend her brother’s attitude. 'He barely had time to eat and when he returns home after a hard-working day, he deserves to full his stomach’.                                                                            

Louisa sighed but didn’t say another word. Instead, she ladled spaghetti into their plates. She knew her son was always piled with work. As a mechanic whose work was to perform repairs and regular maintenance on motorised vehicles, he was always cautious of doing a good job so as to attract customers in the garage where he worked, and also to make his boss proud of him. Being a mechanic involved a great deal of hands-on-work which Louisa was aware. She knew how much Andrew got his hands dirty in the process. But he wasn’t afraid of dirt because his family having food on the table was all that mattered. And she was aware how Andrew most at times skipped his lunch for the sake of the customers who are always in a hurry to drive away. 

The moment I met you (Chapter 13)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Chioma went home after having a good time with Chisom. Her mother was in the bedroom when she came home while her elder brother Andrew was taking his bath in the bathroom. Chioma went to her mother and greeted her. Louisa was already wearing her pale pink  night dress.             

‘I was beginning to think you’d sleep over at Star restaurant,’ Louisa said, glancing at Chioma. 'What on earth have you been doing all this time? Anyway, I cooked your favourite’.                                                                                                                    

‘None of your business, mum,’ Chioma laughed, cheered by the fact that her mother cooked her favourite food; Spaghetti with fresh fish. She hopped into bed beside Louisa. She could smell the food from the bedroom. Anyone could follow the delicious fragrance and be able to trace the food.                                                                                     

‘We need to have our dinner else we might welcome worms’.           

Chioma chuckled. ‘I’ll love it,’ she pouted prettily.                                             

They walked from the bedroom into the living room which was small but comfortable, with a little dining table and four chairs.  Hand in hand, the mother and daughter happily walked into the kitchen.                    

‘Mum told me you didn’t get the job?’ Andrew asked Chioma when she appeared in the dining. He was already seated, looking fresh and dressed in blue pyjamas.                       

Chioma nodded with a smile, placing the big bowl of spaghetti she had carried from the kitchen, on the table.                      

The moment I met you (Chapter 12)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

‘Where did you buy this afternoon tea?’ Michael asked between bites, feeling very happy. ‘It’s expensive and delicious. Robert, you’re so lavish. Tell me, did you win the Nairabet or did you steal from me?’ He didn’t seem appalled. He was happy today, which would make anyone close to him wonder why because it was rare for Michael to be this happy. Rare for anyone to see this gentle and happy side of him.                                  

‘I bought it at Galaxy coffee shop which is one of the most high-end coffee shops here in Abuja, frequented mostly by socialites since ordinary people could not afford it,’ he said proudly, trying to make Michael happy even more.                                                                           

‘Oh…’Michael’s voice trailed off. Following a long silence, his lips curled into a faint smile. Then, he glanced at the customised blue exquisite bag.                                                                                    

‘Do you want some more?’ Robert asked gently.                                           

Michael would have wanted a bag delivered to Chioma Chima. But then, he wasn’t sure where to find her. ‘I will want some another day.’ He smiled slightly at the thought of delivering food someday to Chioma. He was optimistic that destiny would make it happen.         

For the rich spending money was like buying chewing gum.  Robert had spent  30,000 naira for this afternoon tea, which was almost the same amount of the living expenses of most of the people, and being the national  minimum wage for federal workers   here in Nigeria, having such an amount at the end of every month was like  wining a lottery or bet, yet it was something Michael could spend without batting an eye.                                                                                                                                     

Robert left the office, and Michael gracefully  ate his afternoon tea.

The moment I met you (Chapter 11)

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Robert came back later carrying a blue fancy plastic bag. ‘Here,’ he said, handing Michael the bag.                                                                                               

‘What is this?’ Michael asked, feigning a bit surprised.                                     

‘Afternoon tea, sir,’ Robert answered cheerfully.                                                             

‘Who eats afternoon tea by this time?’ Michael shrugged uncaringly as a lazy smile formed on his thin beautiful lips.                                                              

Robert didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. He had asked Michael if he wanted Afternoon tea and he gave him a nod    to go ahead and order for it. Why was his president acting surprised and uncaring? He was used to Michael’s cold nature. It was best not to anger his president to avoid his wrath.                                                                    

‘Maybe you could have it back’. Michael extended the bag back to Robert but as he was about to take it from him, Michael glared coldly at him. ‘You know how to rip me off.’                                                                         

Robert looked displeased. ‘If you don’t feel like eating the afternoon tea I could wolf it down for you.’ He folded his arms.                              

Michael frowned at him. Then, he slowly opened the exquisite bag and saw a box of blue chocolate scones, a box of buttermilk scones, blackberry meringue pie, a box of puffs, a cup of coffee, a box of fruit salad, apple, strawberries, and a bunch of banana.                                                                        

Everything looked fresh and yummy that Michael had to look at Robert with a blissful smile. ‘You know how to take care of your boss’, he said, and began to eat gracefully. ‘For being this good to me I will ask the finance department to give you a bonus this month’.                                   

Robert smiled. He was glad to hear such from his president. But then he knew that Michael’s happiness could not have come from the afternoon tea but from something else. That could obviously be from what or who he met in the afternoon. Perhaps, something from Jimmy Carter Street. What could it be? Robert was curious to know.                   

President Muhammadu Buhari's speech on the Endsars protests

 

ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE ENDSARS PROTESTS, 22ND OCTOBER, 2020

     

Fellow Nigerians,

 

It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the Security Chiefs.

 

2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

 

3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force by some members of SARS.

 

4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the necessity to operate within the law.

 

5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and carefully evaluated the five-point demands of the protesters. And, having accepted them, we immediately scrapped SARS, and put measures in place to address the other demands of our youth.

 

6. On approving the termination of SARS, I already made it clear that it was in line with our commitment to the implementation of extensive Police reforms.

 

7. Sadly, the promptness with which we have acted seemed to have been misconstrued as a sign of weakness and twisted by some for their selfish unpatriotic interests.

 

8. The result of this is clear to all observers: human lives have been lost; acts of sexual violence have been reported; two major correctional facilities were attacked and convicts freed; public and private properties completely destroyed or vandalised; the sanctity of the Palace of a Peace Maker, the Oba of Lagos has been violated. So-called protesters have invaded an International Airport and in the process disrupted the travel plans of fellow Nigerians and our visitors.

 

9. All these executed in the name of the ENDSARS protests. I am indeed deeply pained that innocent lives have been lost. These tragedies are uncalled for and unnecessary. Certainly, there is no way whatsoever to connect these bad acts to legitimate expression of grievance of the youth of our country.

 

10. The spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular, that this government is oblivious to the pains and plight of its citizens is a ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour.

 

11. On the contrary, both our deeds and words have shown how committed this administration has been to the wellbeing and welfare of citizens, even with the steadily dwindling revenues, and the added responsibilities and restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

12. Government has put in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society.  These included our broad plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years; the creation of N75 billion National Youth Investment Fund to provide opportunities for the youths and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Survival Fund, through which government is:

 

a. paying three months salaries of the staff of 100,000 micro, small - and medium - enterprises,

b. paying for the registration of 250,000 businesses at the Corporate Affairs Commission,

c. giving a grant of N30,000 to 100,000 artisans; and

d. guaranteeing market for the products of traders.

 

13. These are in addition to many other initiatives such as;

a. Farmermoni,

b. Tradermoni,

c. Marketmoni,

d. N-Power,

e. N-Tech and

f. N-Agro.

 

14. No Nigerian Government in the past has methodically and seriously approached poverty-alleviation like we have done.

 

15. With regard to the welfare of police personnel, the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission has been directed to expedite action on the finalization of the new salary structure of members of the Nigeria Police Force. The emoluments of other paramilitary services are also being reviewed upwards.

 

16. In order to underscore the importance of education in preparing youths for the future, this administration has come up with a new salary structure and other incentives for our teachers.

 

17. Let me at this point reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to preserving the unity of this country.

 

18. We will continue to improve good governance and our democratic process, including through sustained engagement.

 

19. We shall continue to ensure that liberty and freedom, as well as the fundamental rights of all citizens are protected.

 

20. But remember that government also has the obligation to protect lives and properties, as well as the right of citizens to go about their daily businesses freely and protected from acts of violence.

 

21. To our neighbours in particular, and members of the international community, many of whom have expressed concern about the ongoing development in Nigeria, we thank you and urge you all to seek to know all the facts available before taking a position or rushing to judgment and making hasty pronouncements.

 

22. In the circumstances, I would like to appeal to protesters to note and take advantage of the various well-thought-out initiatives of this administration designed to make their lives better and more meaningful, and resist the temptation of being used by some subversive elements to cause chaos with the aim of truncating our nascent democracy.

 

23. For you to do otherwise will amount to undermining national security and the law and order situation. Under no circumstances will this be tolerated.

 

24. I therefore call on our youths to discontinue the street protests and constructively engage government in finding solutions. Your voice has been heard loud and clear and we are responding.

 

25. And I call on all Nigerians to go about their normal businesses, and enjoin security agencies to protect lives and properties of all law abiding citizens without doing harm to those they are meant to protect. Let me pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty.

 

26. I would like to thank those state Governors, traditional and religious leaders who have appealed for calm and restraint. I also thank youth leaders who have restrained their followers from taking the law into their hands.

 

27. This government respects and will continue to respect all the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people, but it will not allow anybody or groups to disrupt the peace of our nation.

 

Thank you all. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.