BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Arise o compatriots, Nigeria call obey, our national anthem sing. For 62 years we have sang this anthem with nothing to show for it. We have sung it as just the lyrics of a common song. The only service we give to our country is to go for NYSC. Even in that one year, we don't really serve. I mean, why serve when we can easily split our allawee between ourselves and those in authority? What happened to serving with love and strength and faith? This has become a fallacy; we only serve in capacities that favour us directly or indirectly. Our full strength is seen when we serve people we know, people who tip us, and people with whom we exchange our service for something in return. What about poor Nigerians with neither silver nor gold? What happens to them?  Okay! How about serving with love? LOVE? You've got to be kidding; are you not in Nigeria? Yes, I'm in "the Nigeria" where love is described as a scam. To say "I love you" translates to "I want some...

The sun was beginning to find its way out into the open sky. It was 11am, almost time for the close of the second mass. Ann is seen walking towards the chapel where her daughter is seated patiently waiting for her. "We can go now," she said. Finally, Katrina let out a sigh of relief, she muttered. Adjusting her seatbelt in her mother’s Volvo, she asked, "Did you see Aunty Becca? Her mom replied, “No my darling, but she sent me a message.” Thank you for reminding me. I will give her a call once we get home to reschedule. Becca and Ann had become pretty close. Ann wasn’t one to make friends, but in some ways she found a sister in Becca, and that friendship has blossomed and even extended towards their kids. She met Becca at the grocery store on one of those days. She was having a sapa episode but needed to buy something for her child to eat. Becca found her crying in front of the counter while staring at the things she needed but couldn’t afford. She quickly co...