This period of the strike is about to hit 3 months already, and it’s not looking like the Federal Government and ASUU {Academic Staff Union of Universities} will conclude favourable for the students, yet. That was the first thought that ran through my head as I woke up this morning.
“Well, things shouldn’t be like what they were for the past two months”, I thought again.
Something else was about to sneak into my mind when I hurried and shut the door of my mind- where most of the unnecessary thoughts in the world flow –against it. At least, I can breathe now. Whoop! – I said. I stood up from my bed and stretched. While doing this, another thought found its way into my mind without my permission; someone’s post that I saw on Facebook – a few days ago. The post had a picture of people having a board meeting with the caption “Federal government to use corners allowance to settle ASUU.” Another was a meme which says: ‘All students should contribute #200 each for ASUU, so they can resume.” I pondered on it for a little while and I thought, “This should be a good idea, only if all students will comply.” Then I asked myself –without speaking out if I would comply if all students did.
Why should I comply? I questioned.
I can’t even be sure that all students did comply, and I can’t let my precious #200 go to hell if ASUU cannot be settled thereafter. It’s not like I’m not selfless enough to donate #200 so I’d resume school, but I don’t like opting for what might not work. I justified myself and my thoughts to my mind. Like that little spirit always sitting in my mind knew why I decided to put in some thoughts of justice, it asked me; Don’t you think the best decision is to risk it first? You’ll be glad you did, if it works out, eventually. Okay, okay, okay, enough, enough! I said out loud. That little spirit was about to whisper something else into my mind when my Uncle’s voice instantly pulled me out of my thoughts.
The last two months were as hectic as hell. l remember when the strike was declared, I was still in school with my friends. My friends and I decided to do something tangible with the break; make money, and make sure our academics do not suffer loss. My friends told me their plans, but I had nothing to say. So, I just told them I’ll make sure I read and do anything else my hands find doing.
Fast forward to two weeks after the initiation of the strike, I’ve been at home for a week and a few days. My friends messaged me on a Tuesday morning and told me how their money-making business is going. “Traitors”! I said in my mind. I nearly ran into depression, because I haven’t even thought of what to do, and my books have been the last thing on my mind. Later that afternoon, my mum called me to go and grind pepper on the next street. In my mind, I was like; “why should I go on such errands when I have younger siblings? That spirit in me attacked: “You can’t even do such a simple task when you have nothing to do.” I hissed: not at my mum, but at the spirit attacking me. My mum looked at me, her eyes blazing with fire, and asked why I hissed. The stupid me didn’t think I should answer her question first, but I went ahead to ask her why she would send me on an errand when my younger siblings were at home. She gave me a slap that instantly changed my life and my thought pattern- thinking I answered her with that statement. I hurried to grind the pepper before another one landed on my cheeks. Another day, She called me to get her Maggie of #20. I was so embarrassed, a whole 400 level student going to buy Maggie worth of #20, but I didn’t wait for that little spirit in me, nor my mum’s slap to reset my thought pattern before I collected the money from her to get what she sent me.
A lot of awkward moments and countless humiliations, over the weeks, But what could I have done? We’re on strike and I had no plan. The strike made me like this. So, I decided to look for some kind of business to venture into. I’ve been hearing about affiliate marketing for a while, but I don’t even know what it entails. So, I decided to search for it. I contacted an old friend and he told me I’ll need a sum of sixty-two thousand nairas (#62,000) to start. “God! Why do I always develop an interest in things that are beyond my power?” Just then, a guy -whom I used to have a crush on- sent me a Whatsapp text, I was so excited even before I opened it. Unveiling the text, it was about a ‘cowrywise’ business, and I was down for it, anyways. The good news was that I’ll only need a sum of #1500 to start this business. Though I’ve been told not to believe this kind of investment idea, nevertheless, I was still going to do it, ‘cus he’s my crush and the business idea met a lot of requirements; the timing was perfect, I was just looking for what to venture into. The capital is just what I can afford, so I believe he’s God sent. Above all, I like him, and I’d want to have something to do with him, at least, we’d be in contact.
After three weeks, which was supposed to be my first cash out day, my crush didn’t reply to my message and eventually blocked me. I lost my crush and my precious #1500. I cried, even though I claim to be a big girl. After then, my steps into depression were doubled. I lost interest in a lot of things, and I literally will sink in my thoughts all day long, swiping through all apps and wasting my data, until either my data finishes or my phone battery runs out of power. I got a grip one day, after reading a write-up written by someone I didn’t even remember to check their name. I was so inspired, the writer wrote as if they knew my predicament. I started to read more books to add value to myself, I read books on how to be business-oriented and lots more. I made sure I didn’t forget to study my school books, and I was feeling good on time. Then, I realized my mum no more calls me to send me on humiliating errands. I wondered why, though.
My uncle, who is from Lagos, visited us, at my home in Ibadan, and I was eavesdropping –as usual. He was talking to my parents about the new business he started, and he mentioned that he needed distributors and a manager for a particular sector. I didn’t allow him to finish the sentence when I walked myself out of the room and told him I’d love to be one of his distributors. I did so because there was no way I would tell my parents to talk to him on my behalf so that they would listen to me. They all looked at me amused, and my Dad asked if I knew what it even means to be a distributor. I thought “Do even my parents think I am this dumb?” Thanks to all the books I’ve been reading, I gave them an earful, from being a manager to a distributor, and how to start a business. They were gobsmacked. My uncle took me with him to Lagos, and I was prepared to be a good distributor.
After four days, he made me the manager of a sector and promised to pay me precisely what he would pay anyone else who got the job and allow me to enjoy every other benefit(s) that comes with the position. I felt that tiny spirit that took a break or probably went on strike since I read the write-up online, alighted from a Bugatti in my mind saying; I knew this would happen. I knew you could do it. For the first time, I embraced those words from the little angel, and it kind of promises me to be good support from there onward. I’ve never been that close to someone or something that exists physically before, and I’m this close to a spirit. Maybe I’ve been having a split personality all along. Well, it doesn’t matter, now.
How I wish ASUU would call off the strike as soon as possible. However, if they don’t, I have nothing to worry about. I’m making money!
