THE STORY OF MMA (EPISODE 7)

 The Story of Mma, a Single Mother

Daily Life Experience

Written by:
Engineer Stanley

For Mma and her son, securing sufficient food presented a significant challenge. Yet, she chose not to see this as an opportunity to seek financial support from men. Despite being a single mother, Mma's beauty was such that her smile could brighten anyone's mood, turning anger into joy and sparking emotional connections. Committed to independence, she resolved to support her son, Nkem, on her own. With the little funds available to her, she began selling snacks next to her madam's business, which was slowly declining.

The situation took a turn when Nkem's teacher visited, concerned about his absence from school. Mma explained that she could no longer afford the school fees due to her madam's prolonged hospitalization. In response, the teacher offered to speak with the school administration, asking for an extension for Mma and encouraging Nkem's participation in an upcoming competition due to his intellect.

Mma expressed her gratitude, feeling a sense of relief from the teacher's support. In time, Nkem distinguished himself as one of the best students, securing a place in the competition. His achievements led to him being awarded a scholarship covering his education up to university level, including expenses for feeding and more.

This development filled Mma with immense joy, marking a significant turn in her life characterized by prior rejections from her parents due to her pregnancy. The child who once symbolized rejection had now become her source of happiness and hope. Nkem's scholarship affirmed that he was indeed a child of destiny, providing Mma with encouragement and proving that her struggles were not in vain.

READ: EPISODE 8

THE STORY OF MMA (SINGLE MOTHER)

 THE STORY OF MMA (SINGLE MOTHER)

Daily Life Experience (Episode 6)

Written by: Engineer Stanley

Raising a child was not easy for Mma, but she was determined not to be deceived by any man again. As her son Nkem grew, he became a support for her. Nkem often asked his mother about his father, a question that made Mma very angry. She firmly told Nkem never to bring up the subject again.

Nkem's classmates would tease him for not having a father. When Nkem came home from school crying one day, he was unable to tell his mother the reason for his tears. "Who hurt you?" Mma asked. Despite her questioning, Nkem continued to cry without giving an answer, leaving Mma deeply concerned. She decided she would visit Nkem's school the next day to speak with his teacher about the incident.

"My son returned home crying yesterday and was unable to tell me what was wrong. That's why I'm here to find out," Mma explained to the teacher.

"Madam, I wasn't aware. Perhaps Nkem had an altercation with a classmate. I'll make sure to keep a closer watch on him from now on," the teacher responded.

Mma's situation became more challenging when her boss fell ill, causing the business to decline due to the high cost of medical expenses.

During this difficult time, Mma knew she couldn't abandon her boss. She resolved to stay strong and support her employer through the hard times.

One day, a customer wanted to withdraw money, but the amount he requested was not available. "When will the requested amount be available? I would like to come back and do business with you," the customer inquired.

"Sir, I'm not certain when due to some recent changes," Mma explained.

"Mummy, I'm hungry," said Nkem. "Can't you see I'm talking to a customer? Must you embarrass me?" Mma scolded her son.

The customer offered Mma a1000 naira note, insisting, "Buy something for him." However, Mma politely declined. "Don't worry, sir, I'll take care of it myself," she said.

Nevertheless, the customer persisted, leaving Mma with no other choice but to accept his kind gesture.

A few days later, the same customer returned with gifts for Nkem. Mma, however, refused to accept them. The customer, undeterred, left the gifts and his business card on Mma's desk, advising, "Call me if you need anything," before departing.

Mma was deeply distressed, knowing all too well that Nkem couldn't attend school due to unpaid fees.

READ: EPISODE 7

 The Story of a Single Mother

Daily Life Experience (Episode 5)

Written by:

Engineer Stanley

Mma is a beautiful girl from a village named "Umuazu". The majority of Umuazu's inhabitants are farmers, including Mma's parents. Being the only daughter, she received immense love and care from her parents. Growing up, Mma was rarely allowed to venture outside without her parents' permission. By the age of eight, suitors had already begun asking for her hand in marriage, but her parents declined, wishing to spare Mma from too early a union.

Mma's closest companions were two friends named Adaora and Eriana, who were equally beautiful. The trio's presence was known to distract boys and even older men who admired them greatly.

Following her secondary education, Mma's uncle brought her to the city. However, life in the city turned sour as her aunt began to mistreat her.

At times, her aunt would deny her food. Despite Mma's pleas to her uncle, the mistreatment persisted.

One day, while purchasing groceries, Mma lost the money her aunt had given her due to an encounter with four boys who harassed her. The situation escalated until the sound of a police siren scared them off, saving Mma from further harm.

Returning home in tears, Mma recounted the incident, only to be met with violence from her aunt, who then expelled her from the house, demanding the return of the lost money.

Mma's uncle appeared to be under his wife's influence, showing indifference to Mma's ordeal when he learned about it later that night.

A kind gatekeeper encountered Mma crying that night. After listening to her story, he offered her food and wanted to help her return home, but she feared worse treatment from her aunt without the money.

The next morning, rumors of Mma's disappearance spread throughout the streets.

Eventually, Mma was sent back to her village and to her parents.

Weeks later, it was discovered that Mma was pregnant, leading to her parents' regret for sending her to the city and their subsequent rejection of her due to the shame her situation brought upon the family.

Left with no choice, Mma began looking for a job to support herself and her unborn child. After saving some money, she went to thank the gatekeeper, only to find him replaced. Unable to locate him, Mma faced even greater frustration.

While wandering, she noticed an advertisement for a POS attendant position, which included accommodation. Seeing it as a significant opportunity, she applied immediately. The job owner, seeking someone to work late hours, asked if she needed to inform anyone about her new employment.

"Madam, it's a long story," Mma responded, hinting at the complexities of her predicament.

Mma's pregnancy almost cost her the job when her employer found out. However, impressed by Mma's diligence, the employer decided to grant her an exception.

She grew to treat Mma as if she were her own daughter.

Nine months later, Mma gave birth to a healthy baby boy, whom she named "Nkem".

READ: EPISODE 6

 Time and Season

(Episode 4)

Daily Life Experience

Written by: Engineer Stanley

The persistent rain seemed endless, compelling me to wait for Favour to purchase an egg roll, a task that became unexpectedly prolonged. Despite my growing hunger, I persevered. Ironically, I found myself short on cash yet decided to remain true to my principles.

The dilemma of parting with the last bit of cash in my pocket for someone else’s need was incredibly tough.

Visiting my younger brother's house, we engaged in deep conversations, nostalgically recalling memories of our late father, an esteemed farmer in his prime. Remarkably, the current state of Nigeria's economy would have been advantageous for him had he been alive.

It was challenging to seek any financial assistance from my brother, given the general expectation for me to be the benefactor within my circle.

Encountering a man on my way home turned intriguing when, upon approach, our greeting turned into a humorous exchange about lending him five thousand naira. My joking response about future money was met with his unexpected seriousness on the matter. Realizing the irony of my situation—debating how to ration my own scant resources for a meal—left me to politely deflect with a promise for the weekend, before departing.

In a nearby shop, I found myself purchasing a cup of rice for five hundred naira, a situation I found mildly embarrassing due to my usual status but was necessitated by circumstance.

The myth that wealth is a constant companion is misleading; even the affluent face periods of financial strain. The essence of endurance becomes vivid, knowing that although hardship may last through the night, morning always heralds joy.

READ: THE STORY OF A SINGLE MOTHER

Lessons Embedded in the Heart (Episode 3)

 Lessons Embedded in the Heart

Episode 3

The way you treat those around you carves your memory into their hearts. Both joyful and painful memories become etched within.

Memories often transition, leading individuals to replicate their own experiences with others.

I recall a time during my childhood. My late father would keep us away from a family in our village, especially during visits to our rural home at "Ubi-Ogwuma Farm Land". I was always curious about his reasons.

One afternoon, whilst my parents were busy with farm work, I and my siblings were home. Neighborhood children came by, and one mentioned a place where mangoes could be found.

To our surprise, that location was the very place we were forbidden to approach. Despite this, it seemed untouched, as evidenced by the numerous fruits on the ground. So, we gathered some mangoes and left.

On our way back, we encountered my father. He inquired about our whereabouts upon seeing the mangoes in our possession.

I honestly explained everything. Though he was upset, he insisted we return the mangoes to where we found them. Despite his anger, I couldn’t understand why he held such disdain towards that family, especially in their absence.

Subsequently, my father disclosed the cause of his animosity towards them.

He described his past as a prosperous businessman, dealing in groundnuts in the North and palm oil in the East. His recounting was filled with nostalgia.

Curiosity arose as to why he ceased this lucrative trade, recalling how it once brought joy and snacks to my peers and me.

My father elaborated on a specific incident involving a canoe belonging to that family, which marked the beginning of his troubles.

Eager for details, I pressed on.

He recounted how accusations against him of using the canoe for nefarious purposes led to a major financial downfall, as he struggled to clear his name through expensive traditional oaths.

We were left speechless by his story. It revealed the profound impact of the incident on his life and the lasting bitterness it wrought, despite his initial reluctance to share this with us.

This unfortunate tale from my father's life has imprinted a significant lesson upon me, motivating me to document it.

Indeed, many memories shape and serve as our legacy.

READ: EPISODE 4

Endure Hard Time Episode 2

Endure Hard Time 

Episode 2

Daily Life Experience

When life is going well, it's wise to save for the tougher times that lie ahead.

Life is ruled by time and seasons. Engage in activities you can manage and trust the Divine with the rest.

Despite the smiles we wear, there comes a time in everyone's life when smiles give way to tears or silent weeping.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan, with a bright future on the horizon, then unexpectedly, a challenge appeared and the joy was gone.

It was through these experiences that the true meaning of endurance, as described in the Holy Scriptures, became clearer to me. Those going through tough times should strive to persevere with patience.

If you can appreciate the good times, then enduring the hard times is a part of life's principles.

The experiences shared in my previous episode, titled "Desperate Woman," taught me invaluable lessons.

Trust your instincts without doubt, for it is nature's way of communicating impending events. Deciphering these signs, however, requires deep insight and interpretation.

Have there been moments when you regretted not heeding your mind's guidance, or felt a sense of satisfaction for trusting it? This is common in our journey through life.

READ EPISODE 3

 Desperate Woman

Daily life experience Episode 1

As I settled in, pondering the theme for my new episode, an incident unfolded.

A woman entered my office, seeking assistance to type her documents. Although one of my employees was already helping her, the woman was insistent, urging the employee to hurry. Subsequently, she requested to have her phone charged, a service we could not provide since the employee was using a laptop for the typing task.

"Won't you turn on the generator?" she inquired.

"Even if I were to start the generator, it wouldn't be to charge phones, given the high cost of fuel," I responded.

Persistently, she inquired, "Where can I charge my phone?" pressuring the employee assisting her.

With no alternative, the employee paused her typing task to lead the woman to a charging station where she could pay for the service. Throughout, the woman's desperation was palpable, both for charging her phone and having her documents typed promptly.

Motivated by her urgency, I abandoned my planned episode to focus on typing the documents, completing them swiftly. However, just as I was about to print the documents, my solar inverter malfunctioned.

The unexpected breakdown left me speechless, yet I had no choice but to attempt a repair, holding onto hope. Just then, the woman returned from charging her phone.

"Are my documents ready?" she queried.

"I'm sorry, we cannot complete your job at this moment," I informed her.

Her frustration grew, "So, you're refusing to complete my work after I've waited?"

"As you can see, my inverter has just broken down, and I'm trying to resolve it. I can't promise the completion of your job," I explained.

Her rants escalated, blaming us for the mishap. Eventually, I retorted that it was sheer bad luck that led to the inverter's damage. She stormed off in dismay, exclaiming, "Oh my God, oh my God."

Indeed, some days start with joy but end in despair.

This ordeal of desperation not only interrupted my work but also led to a predicament with my solar inverter, the cost of which I'm yet to determine how to cover.

READ EPISODE 2

 

Campus Riot

(The story of Obim part 20)

In the early morning, as we were heading to our lectures, we received news about a protest happening on campus due to an increase in tuition fees.

The demonstration initially felt like a spirited display of dissent against the hike in tuition fees, with students vocally chanting, "we will not agree, we will not agree" in unison.

From a distance, Obim observed the unfolding scene.

What began as a peaceful protest quickly escalated when some boys set the school's security house ablaze.

Moving towards the administrative offices, they tore down anything in their path.

Amongst them, certain individuals with criminal intent broke into offices to steal valuable items such as laptops and printers.

The school management was alerted to the fact that the protest had devolved into an excuse for stealing school property.

Individuals harboring malicious intent, armed with weapons, then proceeded towards the bank located within the school premises.

As Obim attempted to capture the events on video, he was accosted by the aggressors who nearly destroyed his smartphone. He was coerced into deleting nearly all its contents, ensuring no footage remained.

The sudden intervention of the army turned the school premises into a battleground, prompting students, including Obim, to flee for their lives.

DESPERATE WOMAN

..

 

Campus Life

The story of Obim part 19

During one of Melosky's computer sessions, a fellow lodge resident approached him while Obim observed from behind. She inquired if she could use his computer for an assignment. Inexplicably, Melosky proclaimed ownership of the computer right in front of Obim, disregarding politeness and the truth.

Obim quietly resolved not to hold a grudge against either party. Instead, he made a firm decision to pursue computer training to utilize his computer effectively.

His dedication to learning about computers ran parallel to his academic lectures. This endeavor marked a significant turning point in Obim's life, enhancing his knowledge considerably. Within just three months, Obim had surpassed many of his peers in computer proficiency, fueled by his passion for technology which aided in his studies and research.

Upon returning from lectures, Obim would sometimes find himself locked out, waiting for his roommate to finish with his female visitor.

Obim's discomfort grew with his roommate's habits, who often returned with friends and consumed food without saving any for him.

The irony of having a roommate who claimed to be penniless yet frequently purchased new clothes did not escape Obim, who found himself using his funds to provide for both of their meals.

While his roommate never brought home groceries, Obim consistently contributed foodstuffs from visits to his parents' farm, ensuring they both had provisions.

Over time, Obim observed his roommate's preference for accepting money, feigning that his parents had provided nothing.

It was common for students to request food from others under pretenses, such as having soup but no garri, only to seek additional provisions elsewhere.

Visits between students often had the ulterior motive of sharing a meal, with guests hinting at their hunger by asking if the host had prepared any food.

READ NEXT: PART 20

 

UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER BASICS

(The story of Obim part 18)

During his first year of tertiary education, Obim enrolled in a Computer course after discovering a fraudster who claimed to have made some payments on his behalf was actually depositing the money into his own account, not the school's.

With his limited savings, Obim purchased his first computer system. His educational journey from primary through secondary school had not afforded him any knowledge of computers, including the various components and their names.

At Tetlow Owerri, when Obim inquired about the cost of a computer, he was relieved to find the price was within his budget.

Pointing at the monitor, Obim asked, "How much is this?"

"5,000 naira," the seller responded. "Please, there's an accessory that connects with it, but I'm not sure of its name."

"Is it a UPS?" the seller suggested. "Yes," Obim confirmed.

At that moment, Obim was unaware of what UPS stood for.

The seller provided Obim with a monitor, a UPS, and a power cable. After paying, Obim returned to his lodging. Upon seeing the purchase, Melosky, his roommate, was elated until he questioned, "But where is the CPU?"

It was then that Obim realized his mistake, having bought a UPS instead of a CPU due to his lack of computer knowledge. To cover up, Obim hastily claimed he didn’t have enough money for the CPU.

Inwardly, Obim admitted the excuse was just to mask his ignorance. Subsequently, he visited Royal Computer's shop at Tetlow Owerri to purchase a System Unit. The shop had recently opened, as the owner informed Obim, who also guided Obim on additional accessories he might need, realizing Obim's limited knowledge of computers.

Obim acquired a System Unit, printer, software, VGA cable, power cable, mouse, keyboard, and more.

Thanks to his practical knowledge in Electrical and Electronics, Obim managed to set up the computer system. However, he could only use the system for basic functions shown by the seller.

READ NEXT: PART 19