DIGNITY

BY AJIBOLA M. SALAMI

Today, I remember

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One of the finest girls in my secondary school was Blessing Omumu (I wonder where she is now… anyone knows?!). She had baby face, baby voice, baby skin, baby curl hair…in short, baby everything. Some bad belle boys also used to whisper that she has baby brains, & they fashioned a wickedly ingenious nickname for her that simply means removing the letter “O” from her surname… but I believe they are just bitter that they couldn’t “befriend” her (boys are known to insult girls they secretly like, but can’t talk to 😀). That biggest hit at that time was “Fresh” by Kool & The Gang. Boys in my school used to memorize the lyrics, just in case they have the opportunity to “shalo” Blessing. I’m ashamed to admit that I was also among these bitter boys…

In class 3, just before her 15th birthday, she represented Nigeria at the Junior Handball Championship in Stockholm, Sweden. She came back with a Winners Medal … & became completely out of reach to ALL the boys, whether you sabi lyrics or not…

Our school building consists of one of those 2 storeys yellow & brown blocks built by Group Captain Gbolahan Mudashiru (RIP). And what wayward boys used to do is to stand at the bottom of the stairs, & try to stylishly look under the skirts of the girls that are descending down the stairs. I’m proud to say I was NOT one of those boys…

Anyways, one morning, as Blessing was coming down the stairs, she noticed a group of boys practically pushing, shoving & almost fighting each other to be in a vantage ‘spying’ position below the stairs (one of these truants is on my friend’s list, & may even be reading this 😀). She knew what was their mission, quickly tried to close her legs together & also cover her skirt at the same time. She lost her footing & tumbled down the stairs. SHE DID NOT STOP COVERING HER SKIRT!!! She had some minor injuries, which could have been prevented if she had let go of her skirt, thereby freeing her hands to hold on to the railings. She had some bruises & scratches … BUT HER DIGNITY REMAINED INTACT.

Blessing Omumu was a strong, courageous girl. Wherever she is today, I know she’s doing fine.

Today, I remember our President…

Instead of “covering up his undies” & not allowing Boko Haram and/or Fulani Herdsmen to continue their killing spree… he’s more bothered about not sustaining Political “bruises & scratches”…

How can a retired General & Commander in Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces ask us to “Pray” for the killings to stop??? Did we Pray before he sent a dancing Python to swallow up Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB!!!

My own is to post.