How I Almost Killed My Beloved Mother (Part 1)

 

Chukwuma Linus

Immediately my colleague’s mother rang and broke the news of my National Youth Service Corps deployment state to Adamawa, North East, Nigeria, I knew that my challenge would be to convince my beloved mother that no evil would befall her last child, that is, if she would accept I journey to the insurgency-affected region.

It was around 11pm that fateful night and I did not want to ring the woman so dear to my heart. I had waited till the next morning to be sure she could bear the news. The loud burst of voice from her end upon breaking the news was enough to send a hypertensive patient to coma. I even heard from my end, People asking, “Nne Nonye kedụ ife mere” meaning “Mama Nonye what happened” the moment I mentioned the state I was posted, but I quickly assured her not to worry about my life.

I sensed she did not accept my assurance because she rang me more than six times in less than an hour to be sure if it was a joke or reality. Like my mother like my siblings: they were never in support of me travelling to the North for orientation camp.

I remember the very day I did NYSC online Mobilization at cyber world business centre along Owerri Road in Nnewi. I was never drunk when I chose Rivers, Ogun, Benue and Adamawa state as preferred states for deployment. For Adamawa state, my love for the Wazari of Adamawa, HE Atiku Abubakar influenced my decision. I worked for him and the Peoples Democratic Party during the last Presidential election. I know about his University and other opportunities in the state otherwise known as land of beauty, sunshine and hospitality. But such opportunities could wait as far as my mother is concerned. The idea was a no no to her.

Even few friends who knew about the situation were sympathetic as if I lost my wife. I became worried each passing day as if I would not return from the north if I proceed with the arrangement. The best I did was to show strong character especially to my mother, but deep inside I was battling with fear of the unknown.

A quick Google check confirmed that the distance between Onitsha to Adamawa is more than 850 kilometers by road and it was compounded by the fact that there was no direct flight to Yola. To travel to Adamawa from East one has three options :Take flight to Abuja then to Yola, take flight to Lagos then to Yola or hit the road and expect to spend more than 20 hours in commercial bus. I guess the readers already know the decision I made.

But, prior to the posting I had two persons who promised me heaven on earth. One of them is a staff in one of the University in the South East. But when they swayed I stubbornly refused to meet their demands of 20 and 30 thousand naira respectively. My Uncle who I was in his house volunteered to meet the demand to see me be posted to my preferred state but I vehemently declined his offer on the ground that I was betrayed. My elder brother spoke to me about meeting the demands, but his plea met a rock. In as much as I felt betrayed by the duo it was the staff not the other that I believed got the better of me. He had made fortune with my friends courtesy of my person.

 

On the day I was to journey to Adamawa state, my mother rode to my Uncle’s house and bade farewell. Again I spoke to her in confidence that providence will guide my path although my days in the orientation camp. “Mummy be strong and worry less for no evil will see me” I assured. “Go well my son and be blessed” She supplicated. My Uncle was not left out. He led in the prayer session and blessed his Nephew. “Safe journey and I await your return in good health”, my 80-year- old Uncle spoke.

To be continued….