@Prisca

'Hushing' Thursday! It was going to be like a family reunion after the death of our big aunt in October. But this time around, it's a thing of celebration. It's a big day we've been anticipating for it. But you know what, it's a big day for me because my big cousin will no longer be singular but plural. You see eh, this my cousin has seen things in the hands of women. At first, he wanted to go for B(let me use that for now), he loved her I could feel it in his words and his actions. Then she was in school that is this B. He would go as far as providing almost her needs because she was from a humble background. Well then I was still living with him, but I never liked her because she is a proud person. Mere looking at the way she walks, she walks with her chest out. She looks down on people and has little or no respect for people. Meanwhile, we could not air our displeasure about her because he was so much enthusiastic about his love for her. Most times when coming back from church, my cousin would help carry her bag while she wines her waist following him. This most times infuriates us and we would be asking why love has taken a huge hold on him. Not long, I began hearing a different story from my cousin that he was no longer interested in her, "she is proud" was the next thing I heard. "Oh the scale has fallen off his eyes," I thought to myself. I think it took him up to another two years before he could hook up with another lady but it was as if this one is stylishly wicked. He submitted a marriage proposal to the marriage committee of my church and she was called on and requested she would want to pray about it. Guess what, she's still praying about it till tomorrow. At first, she said she wanted to travel out for her Masters and cousin of course has to be patient. After the Masters for more than two years, ok aunty comes back now, for where she said she was still praying over there. If I'm not mistaken, this thing lingered for over 5 years and my cousin had to move on. According to him, just last year he began chatting with a lady from the eastern part of the country. They have known themselves for months. He said he has sealed his heart from that thing called Love, that's why he has been telling every lady he comes across that he is occupied. As God may have it, he wrote a marriage proposal to his pastor about this lady, guess what his pastor gave him a big go ahead that he has made a right choice that he knows her to be a virtuous woman. Just this Sunday, mum said he told our pastor about our Journey to the east for this long-awaited event. We I call it unfortunately or fortunately, my pastor said I shouldn't go that my mum should go alone. I wasn't happy that I will miss the whole "medemede" but a bit happy because I'm currently hell broke. My big cousins were not happy that I wasn't coming. I told them my pastor did not permit and they asked the reason. That Thursday morning, I planned to prepare for the journey the following day and also call my pastor to know his reason. I immediately went to my tailor to see if my dress was ready because I was making a dress for the wedding. After that I quickly went to arrange some things for the journey. Then I called my pastor and he bluntly told me not to go anywhere that he wasn't persuaded to allow me go😭... I gave up😥.

Naming Animals! Why will Mr. John buy a cat and give it a name? Why will Mrs. White have a pet and gives it a sweet name? Why will children in their closets give names to the household animals around them? Well, these names are to make these pets identify their owners or sometimes use these names to call them back from doing something wrong. I have seen a situation where a visitor once visited a home, no knowing there was a German dog in the house. These dogs allowed him to quietly make sure his two feet are all in the compound and suddenly rushed at him to eat him. As he was struggling with this dog, thank God the owner was near and he quickly called the dog by its name, and the dog immediately ran to its owner. Here, we have seen the importance of giving names to our pets. Well, some call their pet's name to bring out the best in them. And I think there should be special names they give pet and not a random names. What am I talking about? In some cases, people give their pet names human beings bears. When growing up we hear pet names like bingo, lucky, pussy, etc... But now what is obtainable looks as though animals now drag names with humans. I use to teach before I gained admission into higher institution. I worked as an assistant teacher and by so doing, following the school bus is one of your duties. As I joined newly, I noticed a child by name Alake who loves sleeping. The first thing she does immediately after she enters the school bus in the morning was to start sleeping. As early that morning, she does not only sleep but snores loudly, this infuriates the drama often and from his front seat, he would scream her name 'Alaaaakkkeee'... That was how I became familiar with that name. Fast forward to now, I think my family changed accommodation immediately after I gained admission. And one of the days, some of the children were shouting 'Alake' and I said to myself this name sound very familiar. As I turned, I saw a goat and began to wonder if the name is a name for human beings and animals. Not only that, I'm a fan of Yoruba movies despite I'm from the tribe. On this day, I was seeing a Yoruba movie, and one of the characters kept on shouting the name 'Alake', and sincerely eh, my subconsciousness was looking forward to seeing a goat but I saw a young man this time around. And I began to wonder, this name 'Alake' is it for all species on earth or maybe a nickname for someone who isn't smart but maybe it's originally a name for animals. But in all eh, no matter how sweet your pet is or no matter how you love your pet, pls understand the fact that names for humans are strictly for humans and not for animals. We are animals we know but some animals are higher than some.

Let's learn to use our head... She sat down in tears, she was exhausted and weak. She could not believe they are monsters in sheep clothings in the church. She began recalling how she has been on her own world and how he had come to pose himself like a saviour to bring her out from her shell. But he shouldn't have cajoled her into marriage. She had built her walls around him, every plan she had she included him, what again will she do with her life. She thought to herself how she was going to start over again. Thanks to the heavens, she had finished her final papers but will soon be going home. But she wouldn't want to go home to see that beast, she began cursing him under her breath. And her mum called " Joy my daughter, won't you come home to attend the wedding of your Music Director"? But she reluctantly lied that she was still busy with her project. Meanwhile, she began asking herself how she got here? Were there no signs but she couldn't find any. Then she remembered the dream she had. In the dream, she was in her wedding gown waiting for this same guy to come and the invitees were all seated. She waited patiently but he wasn't forthcoming but then saw his friend, immediately she woke up from the dream. In another dream, she saw herself walking furiously to a wedding hall where she learnt that this same guy was getting married, as she was walking she was praying it shouldn't be true. But getting there it was true and she began crying. This was all indications showing this her MD isn't what he portrayed and was never for her. But she never wanted to bring to her memory the reality of the truth. She began replaying all the events they were together since she was younger in her mind. How he told her he was going to marry her but she rejected seeing they were all of the different class systems. He may not have made any sexual advances to her not rape her but he has abused her emotionally. For days she couldn't eat, her mum will prepare her best meals but there was no appetite, she was losing it neither was she concentrating on her work. She thought she wasn't going to come out from this trauma. Pls, let's educate our young girls to "use their head" because they are the prey to these emotionless humans walking about. I will advise we use our head before and while in love because this thing called Love is just an idea and can escape into thin air like a vapour. Pls ladies, let's be smart and use our heads...

It's also an abuse. Since I began this move against the abuse of the girl child, I have been exposed to so many situations of people both the 'hear say' and the real ones I have come across. In all, I have to understand that abuse is a predominant issue in our society and if not checked our children are done for it. Abuse isn't just the physical penetration, we also have: Verbal abuse Physical abuse Emotional abuse. But I want to concentrate on the emotional abuse and please you will help me to deduce if this is also abuse. I heard the story of Joy and I became weak to the darkened heart of men. Joy had lost her dad since she was 8yrs, and since her mum has been the one helping her and two siblings with finances and home affairs. Her mum was a petty trader who sells fruits. Sometimes when she comes home from school, she helps her mum to hawk her fruits. On some occasions, she met with the bad men but she was able to overcome them. She loves her mum so much that she vowed she was going to make her mum proud of her no matter what. Not long things became very difficult for them, they were no much profits coming from the petty business. The fruits were spoiling day by day and each time her mum sees this, she begins to cry. But one thing she has loved about her mum is that she was a dedicated Christian. And so most nights she cries to God for help. Not long, the husband of the widow began changing their circumstances. Seeing that her mother prayed and things began to change, she decided to be serious with her God. She joined the teenage choir and became dedicated, she has never had missed any rehearsal. Not long, her dedication began to win the admiration of Christian parents and teenagers were ad iced to make such a person their friends. Sorry I forgot, Joy is a young teenager of 16yrs, with a touch of smartness. Her quiet nature makes her so reserve that she easily keeps things to her. Due to her dedication and calm nature, she began having admirers one of which was her Music Director. He began coming close to her and they became close friends. Sometimes he visits her at home and she visits him to but he had never made any sexual advancement. Not long after she finished her secondary school and waiting for JAMB this her music director began singing words of marriage into her ears. At first, she was proving hard to get but with so much consideration about his personality, she decided to give him a trial. He kept on giving her the attention she wanted. Not long in her 300level, she heard he was about to get married because he is a prominent person in the church. She asked him but he stylishly denied it, that she should go back and confirm from those that were giving her the gist. All of a sudden, he sent her an IV, she couldn't believe it... Pls friends won't you call this abuse. I'm going to continue on this later...

Thanks @Happy boy for the sponsorship payment, I do appreciate.

Room 29 This is a continuation of room 29, I don't know if I will end the series but I'm just 'gonna' write. Please take note, names used aren't real... Room 29 has different spheres of girls. First, we have the clique of big girls. They have never gone near the camp kitchen, in short, their meal ticket is still as new as anything. 'Mami' was their regulars, they spend most of their time at Mami. From parade ground to Mami and at night they stay there and come into the hostel close to when there would be light out. They come to the hostel to gist us how they were able to eat out with the male corpers. They do these to the extent they know them by their names. Meanwhile, one of the girls came to announce to us that she kissed...'wow' we all screamed. Funnily, these groups are the ones that beg for sachet water and take people's water if they are not around. We have the "I too know people". A roommate was seriously coughing and have a running nose. Her bunky kept telling her she should go to the clinic but the girl in question said it's a sign of malaria and that it occurs sometimes. Guess what we have a medical student in our room who unfortunately has her bed space beside this girl that is sick. She dragged this not too strong corper to the clinic and ask her student's doctors to run a covid test on her. She and her bunky were tested positive, and they asked to exit the camp. Aunty then came to the room to announce that everyone will go for the covid test. I began thinking, so I will go through that rigorous test because of some silly accusations. Another roomy began having a running nose and the same medical student began monitoring her, to the extent she almost embarrassed her at the parade, telling her to use her nose mask as she is having the covid symptoms. She came to the room to complain about the silly act of the medical student and we did our best to calm her down. Not long the medical student was sent home for having covid symptoms. We also have the rules breakers. Betty(not her real name)has just finished gisting us about a female corper who peeped in the bathroom instead of using the toilet. But at night I heard the sound of someone peeping, as I opened my eyes to see who could be doing this, I saw her peeping in her potty in the room. Well, I knew her type of person and decided to let things slide. Her clique was the one also washing in the room but everyone allowed it to slide. Lastly, we have the lazy ones who are always in the room and will never participate in anything. One was caught moving out with the Muslim faithful for their morning prayers to miss the morning drills and sleep at the mosque. Nevertheless, in Room 29 I saw humility and oneness. On the last day of passing out, we had a room devotion and I could feel the presence of Yahweh. Oh, I forgot to mention that Lizy(not her real name), left our group chat because while taking our group picture someone blocked her and she began raining curses on the girl. To the extent, she said " that is how people will be blocking her destiny", we could not take this at this point, and everyone bounced on her so she left the group. Guess no one quarreled about it that night we all came back. Forgive me, I forgot to mention we had a Room party at maami and it was fun. We were also planning to have a party with Room 29 boys but they weren't cooperative. Leaving camp, we had a birthday party but some didn't turn due to some engagement. But we contributed to getting a gift for the celebrant. Well, Room 29 is a memory that has come to stay. Thanks for reading...

Hello family, I want to say a big thank you to @Happy boy for his sponsorship.

Room 29 I was to report to camp on 27th August, but could not go due to some engagement. I had to go the following day which is the 28th of August. Guess what? We were apprehended for coming late, despite our excuses and plea it fell on deaf ears. And the next thing we heard from the official in charge was that we should give money for recharge card. And I was wondering, this isn't part of offence against the body else it would have been addressed on our call-up letter. I saw some PCM(prospective corp members) making transfers and some greasing their palms with cool cash. In my mind, I said I won't give these people anything more than 5h...when they are not the ones that worked for the money. That was how I greased his palm with 5h. After this saga at the gate, I went forward for my covid-19,test. I tested positive! After every other registration, I was told to secure my hostel space before doing my bank clearance. I went close to the woman and I was a given a paper ticket which states room 29. I carried my bags and began searching for room 29 and I was told the second floor by your right. Before I could get to the second floor, I had begun breathing fast. I had seen some female PCM standing outside. And I was told no one was allowed to go in so that the hostel mistress can come to address us. As she came she said: There should be no charging of phones in the hostel hence you charge at 'mama's with a token of #100. There should be no washing and using the potty in the room. She mentioned if anyone is caught stealing that the person will be sent home. And for those who are always making midnight calls with their male partners, that if they are caught there will be a penalty. There will be light out from 10:30 pm. If your room light isn't switched off by then, all the occupants of the room will be punished. Immediately she insisted we pick a room leader and assistance which we did. We all went back to continue our registrations. But in all, we were 24 female PCM. We had graduates from different Universities in Nigeria. Whoops, the registration wasn't easy. I had to call some of my friends who had gone before to express my anger towards them that they didn't tell me it was going to be this stressful. I was able to finish my registration at 6:30 pm. I got to my hostel where I nearly missed my by entering the wrong room. Not long I heard the biggle ring which we later understand that that particular sound was saying "food is ready". Mehn, I was famished, I grab my food flask and followed other PCM who are also going to the kitchen since I was new. I went with my food ticket but I was still in my red gown. Reaching the kitchen, I was the one on mufti while others were " white fowls". I was quickly made to understand that I was not to move out with my mufti but because I was new, I was permitted. We were served ogbono soup with black eba for dinner. Though I wanted something else I just decided to help myself with that since I was tired and hungry meanwhile before coming to the camp I have heard some obnoxious news about 'maami' market. That they make their things too expensive for corpers, so I had zeroed my mind from going there at least that evening. As I stepped into my room with my eba at the left hand and my food container filled with soup by the left, I noticed all eyes were on me, me I said to myself what is my business, if they like let them call me foodie, it's their cup of moimoi. My bunk was the second to the last bunk by your right. So I sat on my bed and ate my food thank God I was swift to take the down bunk. Not long after eating, I began unpacking. And the room leader came to give us some rules on how we would run the affairs of the room. We introduced ourselves and I got to know that my bunky is a dentist from Unilag. As the three weeks in camp unfolded, I began to observe the characters of my roommates. Room 29 has female corpers with funny characters... In my next slide, I will classify them according to the actions they exhibited in the room. Room 29 has become memories. Pls, I'm open to sponsors.

What I find interesting about Literature(Nysc diary).... I have had this definition of Literature as the mirror of Life. It shows the reflection of society, exposing its vices and correcting them. No wonder when people see movies, they unintentionally mutter to themselves "this is what happens in the real sense of Life". Some will go as far as citing instances of those who have been a victim of circumstances just as the play portrayed. I have had some cases where people begin to argue if truly these plays(movies) can be real-life events. I have seen a movie where a child was raped by their neighbours but her parent was helpless because this rapist in question is their benefactor. And because they could not survive without the help of the rapist, they decided to let it lie. Now, this whole story is reflected right in my neighborhood. This rapist was fortunate because I wasn't around else I would have taken up the case. What actually happened? This child of eight years was raped by the early hours of the morning when people are yet to pick up the courage to shake off dizziness from their body to kick start the day's activities. Unfortunately, she got raped. Walking into her apartment in the pool of her innocence her mum screamed and alerted every other neighbor. I was thinking, can a child such age lie against a man of 40years about such activity. This rapist claimed he didn't do anything to the child rather it may be her menses. Wow! That lie was huge. But she kept calling his name. But guess what? The wife of the rapist began talking to the girl's mother so as not to invite some governmental bodies into it. Well, I'm here to tell you that the girl's mother concealed everything all because of the favour she was getting from this said neighbour. Coming down to my Nysc three weeks orientation camp experience. Were given a title of a play which we are to act on. The topic goes: Coronavirus and the youth, Now and the future. Guess what, a group came up with a traditional setting where both the old and young were dying due to just cough and every other symptom. At first, they consulted the oracles to find what was killing everyone in the community. And the priest said the gods are angry, they need to be appeased. After the sacrifices, there was no solution to their problems. Not until a foreigner came to the village and told them the name of the sickness and because they could not pronounce it, they called it the white man's sickness. Another group performed but this time around an urban setting. Some medical personnel had tried to lecture some group of women about the new virus and its preventive measures. One said that it's a lie, the virus isn't really that the government is only using it to get funds from international bodies to squander. While another said her Pastor told their congregation not to bother about the virus that the blood of Jesus has covered them all. Funnily, these women have represented different segments of people concerning this virus. These scenarios are the reflection of the society and how they have perceived this deadly virus. But we still have to encourage everyone to mask up, wash hands and stay safe.

Meet me😃! I had love expressing myself with words. Since I was younger, I had love writing stories, stories which I had never completed, Lol. I told friends, cousins, and whoever that cares to listen about my passion for writing. As fate may have, I gained admission into the prestigious University of Benin to read English Language and Literature. I began learning the dynamics of writing, it was a bitter-sweet experience. A sweet experience that it's a way of fulfilling destiny but the journey wasn't an easy one. Wait, let me take you down memory lane to show you a bit of the bitter experience. It was just some days to exam and Lecturer Anonymous hasn't completed his scheme with us. All of a sudden, we heard there was going to be a class where he gave a summary of a supposed three lecture days classes, not only that gave an assignment to be submitted at 9am but all these is taking place at evening. Nigerian students, what do we do? We do not have a choice. Out of desperation, I'm sure no one slept that evening just like I did. I didn't sleep that night, my mind was vexed with our system of Education in this part of the country, but all was for the love of writing and to communicate well. Fast forward to my first semester final year, I had this urge to not just write but fight against the girl child abuse. I took to my social media handles to Educate the masses about girl child abuse. Giving instances of experiences heard from closed relatives and that of the one I saw with my bare eyes. I deduced that some men where callous. And the girl child needs a society that is free from all these child abusers. My writings made me get exposed to realise that seventy percent of girls who are abused are being abused by their close relatives. While thirty percent of them are abused by non-relatives. I also found that these girls that are usually abused end up becoming sexual workers. What about the emotional trauma? Most times they get depressed to the extent of taking their lives. This emotional affects all aspects of their lives. And their Education, what do we have to say about that. No wonder you notice a child who might be staring at you but it's mind has wandered away from its body. It doesn't just end at rape. What about physical abuse and verbal abuse. I found that in most cases of physical abuse, it's between an older female gender to a younger female gender. Under the aforementioned, we see the predominant cases of child maltreatment. "Because she isn't from your womb, you want to work her to death". What about those mothers who claim to be mothers in Israel but are mothers of devils at home towards their young house helps. With my research, I found out that Africa has the highest rate of child abuse throughout the world, while Edo state is the highest among other states in Nigeria that has the high rate of child abuse. Girl child abuse is a fight for every mothers but I know I'm going to be a mother one day, and my girl is a prey to these abusers in the society, so that is why I have made it my fight. Enough of my past! After school, I kept writing and organized an awareness campaign against the girl child abuse from school to school. At a time I stopped, maybe I had become bored of one same topic. But I was told about read.cash by a friend and I decided to give it a try...