AFRICAN STORIES

STORY by Heritage


'my mother's care is the greatest challenges of my life", Tejumola said.

It was a bright Monday morning as everyone was giving different opinion on how bright and scorching the sun was. Some guessed the day's brightness was a sign of rain likely to fall later in the day while others were of the opinion that it meant the day will be a good and fruitful one.

It was however another day of the usual for Teju, as popularly called by friends and relatives. She was kicked out of bed on that fateful day around 4:30am to engage in her daily routines.

Teju is the daughter of Mrs Olagun, who is now a widow. Teju lost her father to an accident at the tender age of nine. She is the second child among three siblings. She is a diligent, brilliant and gentle girl of 16. She is in Senior Secondary School 2(SS 2).

Being the only girl among the three children of the Olaguns, she was been made to overwork. Her siblings are not helping the matter too as they fold their arms and watch their favorites TV shows every now and then.

On that fateful Monday, she did all the stated chores of hers. On her way to the bathroom, she was caught unawares by her mother who landed a sounding electrifying slap to her amazement.

"Where are your manners? Didn't I told you to bring my food?" Mrs Olagun asked.

It now dawned on Teju that she has just being hitted right now because of her slight forgetfulness. She bursted into tears while she made her way to the kitchen to carry her Mother's food.

Teju went to school that day with a clue of sorrow. She didn't concentrate in class. Her moodiness was noticed by her seat-partner, Michael.

Michael can be said to be the only friend of Teju. He is a mischievous guy who hunts girls with his handsomeness and well built body. He has being developing an hidden emotion for Teju since their SS 1 days. He has being diligent enough not to break their friendship by his emotional approach.

Teju, having no other choice, disclosed what happened and has being happening to her. Michael was taken aback trying to comprehend what might have caused such. He had nothing to say than to calm her down and encourage her to think only of the sensation the future breeds if she persevere.

Michael being a sharp guy immediately seized that particular moment to tell Teju how his emotions is shaped. He used all the lovely words he has in him. He kept on teasing Teju with charming words.

"Are you for real? Teju said looking up this time into his widely clueless eyes. Michael nodded in confirmation. He also buttressed his point by bragging to always be available during the hard times of Teju. Teju agreed.

Michael was obviously happy at his newest jackpot. He pulled her closer to lean on him which Teju conveniently did, they are the only one in the class anyways. She had no choice than to have someone to share and count on.

Days passed, their affection persistently increases. Teju feels comfortable and relaxed to the core whenever she was with Michael. They got fond of each other to the extent that Teju is now having a reason to be happy.

"Teju seems to be always depressed" Mama Tobi said. Mama Tobi is a neighbour to the Olaguns. She had witnessed on different occasion the way Teju was being chastised. She can't keep it to herself any longer.

"Teju is my only daughter. I am helping her build a good future with her own children as a disciplined wife and a diligent mother", Mrs Olagun said. This sentences left Mama Tobi speechless but still want to convince Mrs Olagun but was met with a message-conveying look which restricted her and made her kept mute.

Teju was planning to visit her boyfriend when her younger brother, Deji accosted her with a stick. He passed by Teju without greeting her. That is not a new thing. He dramatically turned back to hit her sister with the big stick in his hand. Teju became enraged and hit the boy with great force which brought out tears from the insolent boy's eyes running down his cheek.

Mrs Olagun rushed in at the cries of her baby boy. She instantly guessed of Teju's involvement. She walked towards Teju after collecting the stick from the boy. She forcefully attempted to hit Teju which was logically dodged by Teju. Teju ran out of the house with a very high speed to Michael's house.

Michael, though was expecting her yet surprised by her approach. She narrated another episode of her Mother's care. Michael drew her closer and hugged her. Teju immediately started shedding tears on someone she trusted.

As Michael's parent were not around on that particular day, Michael caught hold of his chance to utilization. He went inside leaving poor Teju brooding over her fate when she returns back home.

Michael came out with a wrapped paper which contains something like powder. Teju asked what she should do with a powder. Michael laughed it off thereby explaining to Teju that it was not a powder but Cocaine.

"What!!! Where did you get it from? For how long has it being with you?" Teju lamented drawing back from Michael.

"Calm down. Do you think you are the only one that has problem with your parent? I get over their insults and chastisement with this. It has being keeping me strong. Try it, you won't have any cause to worry again", Michael explained.

Teju, now confused, kept mute for a while. Suddenly, she opened up and requested for little. She inhaled it and was feeling hot. She wanted to stop but her hand was seized by Michael to show her that he was there for her. After five minutes of inhaling, she lost control of herself. She was out of the planet.

Michael noticed this, he started cuddling and fondling her which triggered her sensation. He kissed her and after fifteen minutes took advantage of her. He had sex with her thereby breaking her virtue. Teju regained her consciousness after three hours, the deed had been done.

Teju was deep in thoughts on her way home. Moving from one depression to another. She lost her virginity because of her mother's claim to care.

After two days, Michael apologised to her and tried convincing her of taking Cocaine to ease her discomfort. Poor Teju agreed. Michael promised to take her to where it was being sold at a cheaper price.

Teju is now getting on her mother's nerve as she now inhales Cocaine at freewill. Her mother kept beating and treating her as she used to.

Teju visited her vendor on a particular day. She had not spent up to ten minutes when National Drug Law Enforcement Agents barged in on them. They were arrested instantly.

Mrs Olagun was shocked, depressed and curious about what had led her daughter into drugs. Everyone in the community blamed her for her daughter's misfortune. Mama Tobi also had the courage to continue to relay her reservations from last time's argument which ensued between her and Mrs Salako.

Teju was taken to a Juvenile home where she would spend three free years because she was still a minor at the time of her arrest. She lived her life writing about the assault committed against female children either by parents and guardians.

She is now out of Prison with children of her own. She had two girls, one boy.

"This was how I grew up with damaging hatred called 'care' by my mother. My mother got it wrong with how she handles a female child. Female children are much more critical and prone to danger than male children. She could have protected me from being disflowered at that tender age of 17, had it been she made me comfortable around her. I got inspired to be an Activist against Female genital abuse to mitigate or destroy the barbaric care in our society", Teju said to her children.

Teju visits her mother's grave once in three months. Teju's foundation for humanity is growing.

Heritage is an author, poet and fiction writer. He is currently studying Law at University of Ilorin.(better by far)
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I have lived half of my undivided life wallowing and luxuriating in ignorance of Lagos being the most beautiful city in Nigeria. Practically I have been to almost all the cities revolving around the sod but I still haven't stumbled upon a beautiful city like Ikeja. I have couple of brother who studies at some universities in kwara state, every time they return home from holiday break, they expatiate and descant, fantasizing on how blisteringly beautiful the city of ilorin is. I'll sit quietly like a bullied child ,staring at their mouths as they uncloak the interesting characteristics of the city of which could convince anyone to live the rest of their life in ilorin. Poor me I got overwhelmed and I started thinking of traveling there, just to go have a look and see the beautiful city that could stand really sturdy, competing with the city of lagos. I had no way of persuading my parent as we have no family in the city I could pay visit, I know one day my dream shall come to pass.


I finally graduated from secondary school and the next thing was jamb,university and all, my parent wanted me to attend you unilag I'd have loved to attend unilag too of course, But it was like a big opportunity of fulfilling my dream , oh No mum I prefer Unilorin have you heard about the school ? They have retained unshakable and stable  academic stability calendar since the last 39 years!! How do you know? She asked me ? Haha I have seen it a couple of time in punch news paper and online as well? My mum is the hardest person in my life who seemed almost impossible and very difficult to induce, she wouldn't allow me uphold my decision so I have to prevail her much more, mum beside that they give out tablet to aid the studies of their students,you won't be lavishing your cash on handouts?, as you wish Son!!! . finally dream coming true!! I chose the school not because of the tablet or academic stability but just to fulfil my dream and and killed my anxiousness and curiosity of visiting the city. It was time for post-utme and all aspirant are to travel down to the campus for the exam definitely I'm going to travel as well. I packed few things and called my brothers to tell them I'd becoming to ilorin. I headed to park afterward and we set off from oshodi.
     

    Here we come the entrance of the city, I saw the tiled road illustriously beautified with Candescent asphalt appearing all black like the road in future new York I was so surprised,the car moving at extensive pace with so much comfort , its being 30minute since we entered the city I haven't stumbled on the next passenger beside me,there was no gallops or natural bumps, I looked through the window to have a glimpse of how beautiful the city sides are they were beyond my expectation,unlike Lagos where hold ups slows down the solace of travellers, there wasnt any till we got to the bus stop. We got to the bus stop and everyone highlighted including me , I saw a lot of sign board arranged at the inverse of the roadside, I stared at it for a while and I noticed that the image of the ex governor was twice the size of the current ? I was confused. which supposed to be bigger?I asked myself, like fashola barely appears on Ambode campaign postal infact he has never appeared not in any of those have seen before, Excuse me Sir? Who is the governor ? Saraki or mai gida the bike man answered me humbly "mai gida ni fa, ama  baba ni saraki"   of "course mai gida but saraki is the godfather" I was so amazed and wowed, imagining how respectful the citizen of the beautiful city of Ilorin are, to have accord more respect to their godfather than the state governor.

We got to challenge, the city center it was so beautiful, unlike Ikeja city that has a big vision coverage along roadside,which is basically use for products and movies advertisement, challenge is filled with shops and bridges, appearing even  final than third mainland's, this place is cute, indeed very beautiful!!!!!!!!!! I concluded. The governor house was like aso rock beautifully shining on white paint.the shop rite was a bomb (the best have ever seen so far) this city is great.


I got to my brother hostel a beautiful self contained apartment, painted in grey and harsh colors. It was like I'm home , I have stayed from 2pm and it was 8pm, I was expecting them have taken off the electricity but they didn't bro do you have stable light in here (ahhh oke odo? They don't take light in here even if they do it barely take an hour before bringing it back) wow indeed this place is beautiful. I wanted to call and browse with my phone ? A 4g network appeared!! Oh my God bro? You've got 4g LTE in here the browsing is damn way too fast (ah you'll enjoy your stay down here at oke  odo more like a small Paris in here) surprising!!! Very nice, I said to myself.

It was around 11pm my brother ask if I will follow him to school for night class,I nodded in agreement and we took off it was almost 11pm and I still see ladies moving about ? Aren't there bad boys in here? Don't they snatch purse in here or rape these girls ? He answered ? ( ahh oke odo ? No this place is very peaceful infact the city entirely ) unlike unilag campus area where bariga boys usually raid and rape the girls in the night ilorin is so Pacific I said in my mind again.

It was 11am in the morning ,I was waiting to see the sun rise but it didn't? Haha it dry season bro wouldn't there be sun? Its very cool in here kid bro we don't have scotching sun Unlike lag? Sun usually comes out before 9am I waited till 1pm and the sun was just like those of which rises sometimes after rainfall, so cool that anybody could walk about peacefully without any iota of discomfort innit.

I'm sorry to disappoint you
I'm sorry for being ironic
But it'd have been much finery and regalia only if all of these weren't opposite (IRONY)

: THE SOCIOLOGIST’S THINKING


It is when we agree to a particular behavior that the behavior becomes part of us and our society, however some behaviors notably prostitution is frowned upon yet it remains a part of our existence, we frown at it, our culture outlaws it and our religion stands against it, yet it remains. Not because it is pleasurable or beneficial but because our society who frowns at it helps in maintaining its existence. HARD TO BELIEVE?  READ ON, TO FIND HOW.
In Nigeria, practitioners of the sex industry is risked to a lot of occupational hazards such as biological, social stigma and even spiritual in form of ritual killings, yet the practice is endemic and it is being passed down to younger generations as a visit to bars, hotels and beer parlor etc would give you the sight of teenage girls available for sex who being thought the trade by a pimp.
WHY IT SURVIVES
Kingsley Davis a leading scholar in sociology of prostitution have linked the high moral standards of the society to the continuous existence of prostitution, he asserted that the society frowns at the act yet latently encourage it by striking a difference between ‘meaningful and meaningless sex”, “moral and immoral sexual behaviors” this division have caused men to see sex with their wives as meaningful through the so called moral sex styles e.g. missionary style while sex with prostitutes as meaningless through the immoral and funky styles e.g. oral sex, anal sex, and the 69. The idea of Davis is simple, you want a good sex go to your wife, you want dirty and casual sex visit the prostitutes. With this a demand is created for prostitution which makes it existence untouchable.
Catherine Mc kinnon, a vocal feminist scholar have asserted that the patriarchal system of the society encourage it existence by creating a demand and supply for it by socializing men into dominant roles and women into submissive roles which put women to dependence on men for subsistence because of the socially disadvantaged position which they have found themselves in economic structures of the society.
WHY PEOPLE ENGAGE IN IT
At this point, it is imperative to turn to social psychologists for answers Alobo and Rita upholds that there are factors that pull people to prostitution and are supported by a study conducted by Katja Huber and co(2009).
Predisposing Factors: These are factors that have to do with upbringing like child abuse, rape and divorce of parents. This factor explains why sex practitioners are able to detach emotions from sex, this means love and other emotions do not get in the way of the sex.
Attracting Factors: The thought that the profession brings a lot of money and some sort of freedom from the 9-5 work.
Precipitating factors: These are socio economic factors such as unemployment, poverty etc
RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
Recruitment into the prostitution profession has no educational qualification; all that is required is readiness to do it for money. Lautt (1984) claimed that there are three entry points into the profession and none is force used to recruit members.
Exploitation: This kind of recruitment is done by a pimp who gets teenage girls to prostitute for her; she is usually older and is responsible for finding clients and safety for her girls and also training them.
Recruitment by a big sister figure: This is done by friends who party together and flock around each other, they first engage in sex for fun during parties, but then are encouraged by a big sister who advise them to do it for money instead, here exploitation is usually minimal or nonexistent.
The independent and pragmatic decision: Done by older girls who are usually within the 18-24 age range, they join as a result of economic necessity, poor salaries or limited skills.
Corroborating the above, one must note that the profession is learnt just like any other profession, practitioners learn the principles of safe sex by ensuring their clients use condoms, body hygiene, beauty and make up tips, and getting their clients to orgasm in a short time so as to get on to the next one etc. They learn the ethics of the profession: punctuality, hygiene, getting out of the way of other prostitutes etc.
SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM (Emmanual Nwakama)
Efforts should be intensified to curb unemployment, gender inequality, poverty and sexual abuse
Demand and Supply of prostitution should be criminalized. We should not think legalizing and regulating the act would curtail the problem citing the examples of New Zealand, Australia and Neitherland who have legalize the act have witnessed a surge in the increase of child prostitution.
Promulgating laws to reduce excessive commercialization of the feminine bodies for adverts and commercials, it latently link women to sex and sex alone.




The sociologist’s thinking is a weekly newsletter that seeks to explain and tackle social problems and phenomena that affects you from the stand points of sociology professionals and scholars. In accordance to the ethics of social research; criticisms, suggestions and encouragements are welcomed alike and if there is any social problem you have observed in your environment and you want THE SOCIOLOGIST to explain, you may reach THE SOCIOLOGIST via the under listed means

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   So because I was really shocked when I got her call I couldn't pick it the first time.so I watched my phone ring till it stopped, i dropped the phone beside me to  reckon on  the call and how damned and disappointed I'd be if she ever say NO to me. I'm not punishing her,I'm punishing myself, drowned in my own grieve and fret because I was so in love with her,while all of these advisements is running through my mind,my phone rings the second time it was the same girl, the same girl I'm in love with, the same girl that changed my life withing couple of days, I was thinking of what to say again when the phone stopped ringing, this time again I have slipped off hearing her out maybe she'd tell me *No or Yes*. I feel like I'm a coward It seriously eaten me up, blaming myself that I'm not even man enough to speak with a girl of my peer group just because I'm in love with her ? I'd want to call her back but I still couldn't so I had no other option than lying on my bed and think it all over trust me all that came into my head is not something very meaningful to face a negative answer from her
    That night I couldn't sleep, I woke up and stumbled upon a text the following morning  it was hers, the girl. I couldn't open it I was too afraid to ? What if she says No would I ever feel like this for anyone again? I doubt it. i dressed up and moved down to the park, it's a long que, oh damn not again this morning (I said to myself) after fighting and haggling  to enter a bus to sch I finally succeeded in our school marcopolo,its overfilled already so I was pressed in one of these corners standing like figure one well I managed to make it comfortable even though it wasn't, we got to school and while I was coming down from the school bus? I saw her coming from the normal campus shuttle park she look at me, i lowered my gaze I couldn't look up , this time I'd be completely dreadful with my thought.
   I was completely shattered and depressed, emotional and fervid.the class that day went so horrible and terrific for me. Not for some other reasons than me thinking about how she must have felt after seeing me coming down from marcopolo, she looks like she's from a rich family but look at me entering a #20 bus, would she be thinking I'm too broke to afford the normal campus shuttle, what would she think of me ? What impression would she have about me  ? Was all in my mind when a close girlfriend  of mine came to me to cheer me up, she must have noticed I'm moody, so we got talking, she succeeded in cheering me up and that makes me feel very better and comfortable she asked me what the problem is but I couldn't tell her ,because I'm running away from reality ,I have seen her with the girl I love before and I strongly believe that they are both friends, what if she's having a crush on me or something? That would be suicidal for me to tell her about being madly in love with her friend so I kept mute and told her its nothing. we stood up from one of these seats in the walkway and headed for the park,on our way i saw her again, like why im i seeing her everywhere? I left that question for my instinct to answer besides my hand was on the other girl shoulder the kind of look she gave me was so off my expectation she said hello to the girl and walk past us, I pretended like nothing happened but deep down I know she was burning inside of her.
         I got home thinking again, felt like cursing myself this time around. Akin youve messed up all of these already two bad impressions in one day? What will she think of me? A gilt? A playboy or a manhoe? Broke ass nigga, oh my God I shouldn't have gone for lecture today, I haven't say the last word when my phone rang out. Oh it was her it was the girl this time I'm so confused and afraid that I couldn't even think straight either to avoid the phone call or face whatever she has to say I picked her call finally and
What did we talk about? You'll find out soon.

   Average people around me most especially my friends thinks I'm one hell of a playboy because of so much chumminess and familiarity being shown to me by random girls on campus where as the truthful fact is I'm as lonely as an helpless orphan. I'm just the funny type that people (most especially ladies) get to like on first meeting. My loving part of life is complete definition of abject boringness I have tried my best to get myself off that part of life but its been a complete flop as I always ended up getting *"friendzoned"* by these ladies and at the end of the day we have no serious love relationship in commitment.
      I thought things would remain like that until one of these boring physics class where I stumbled upon this beautiful girl, I was walking down the steps and I saw her sitting alone with no one beside her I look at the empty seat no bag is there as well (seat booking ) I said to myself in low voice ? NO NO she hasn't pick seat for her friend I sat beside her without wasting much time. She's one of the most beautiful creature have seen in that school. She's not very fair in complexion but her skin tonning game is cuter than Ariana grande's, I couldn't lower my gaze, I couldn't concentrate with the class either, I keep staring and gwaping till she noticed my actions. She could sense the lustful look on my face, she would want to utter a word but she wouldn't because even if she does the chances that I wouldn't hear whatever she's says is clearly pellucid. I looked at myself if im really fit in her level. how such a beautiful girl would react to my love confession, that's even if you're confident enough to tell it to her face how much you're gone off for her, I said to myself. Physics class ended and  everyone departed
  At home I couldn't sleep, more like this has never happened to me before I have, never felt like this for anyone in my life but the problem now  is telling her, how much it'd hurt me if she ended up saying NO but again I made up my mind to give it a try,I made it a mission for myself with a task of stopping her anytime we meet again.
  We met the next day and i summoned the little courage i have left. I said hello to her and *"yeeepa"* she snubbed me in as much as I'm hurt I didn't give up , someone who snubbed you on ordinary greeting is the same person you planning on asking out? This time hopefully she won't slap you in the walkway (my thought) I wouldn't give up I said to myself.
  That girl I'm in love with.we meet again this time not in the school but outside campus, before I walked up to her I made practices on how to tell her and what to tell her seriously I couldn't come up with something straight LOVE IS INDEED powerful  I couldn't even stop wondering how me MR AKIN OROPO got short of word  because I was about professing love to someone who I'm truly in love with. I remembered how my Girl-FRIENDS  would laugh anytime I use my cheesy lines on them telling me how have been flooring other girls with such lines but infront the one I love , I forgot everything. I finally walked up to her we greeted and I just couldn't start with these joviality I'm used to
Hey see the thing is I love you so much and have been wanting to tell you since all these while I believe you know me we've met before my name is Akin and I love you and can I have your number ? She collected my phone and typed her number hey I won't give up on you even if you give me Wrong number I'll never give up I flashed her to even see if she the number she gave me was correct and it was ,Then I left. trust me she didn't say a word she was just looking at the way I was acting.ever since we met she has never said a word to me.

  I got home thinking how foolishly i have acted. But again its not my fault , that I couldn't cook up all these lies stories that average guys  tells just to have this girls played and all
Perhaps she might see the true love in my eyes.While I'm having all of these thought my phone rangs. Oh mumsy not tonight again. I look at the phone screen and it was her
Omg was she going to say YES or NO? or blast the hell out of my life? And give me the last warning ? For stalking her
You'll find out soon.