THE SHORT STORY WAS WRITTEN BY ME ABOUT MY SISTER (BOSE) IN 2005 WHEN SHE BROKE OUT FROM HOME.

THINGS I CAN REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY SISTER The year 1990, Nigeria during the military administration was filled with fraught antecedents. During this time the President General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida was the helmsman from the early 80’s and early 90’s. He was a con-man in his tyrannical dispensation; passing Governmental Policies. Thus the Military era was known for his dictatorship character especially to the democratic minded citizens. However, there was malfeasance and unbridle breach to human right, there was no respecter for fellow citizens in the country. The mentality they have is: “who his this bloody civilian, How dare you challenge me? “ The country was so enmeshed to a point that no man dear speak or write against the free-booter Government in power, they put the journalists and the press to their toes. The Pressmen and the media were so gaunt that many deft and finest journalist and Pressmen had to flee for their dear lives. Do you remember the sordid story of Dele Giwa? And the dauntless Wole Soyinka who almost lost his life to the Government at that era, the concept of armed robbery was newly born and erupting. The economy was dwindling while there was oil boom yet there was poverty in the land. What was in vogue was “Tintinnabulary” Telephone which was most found in the Government quarters in Lagos (i.e. as the then FCT). You also remember the desultory public statement David Mark made:”Telephone is not meant for the Poor; it is for the Rich”. The Military men were like Brawn gods to many Civilians. Then, it was rift for parents to send their sons to the Military so their sons can be in the affairs of the Government, it was as though the Military are the highest paid, most respected and most powerful men in the land. Since the civilians have lost their voice at that era, it was replaced with high lax spate of mundane hip-hop music that could corrupt the Young mind, it was as though there revolution in the air for change, Spearheaded by Fela’s Afrobeat genre of Music. Although, he sings against the Government in Power and yet he was beaten to stupor but never give up in the struggle in advocating for human right and abdicating justice in Government. I could remember the radio station shimmering different old songs on ray power. This particular day of the year which was not different from other days, there was slight woof of zephyr caressing the brown skin of those at Dolphin Estate. My young mind was still childish. In the year 1990, November on the 11th day, the news reached us that mother has given birth and some friends and relatives came over to congratulate her successful delivery. The people of the state were preparing their way to the Christmas eve. As usual the orthodox churches and the new generation churches were organizing Christmas carol concert and other blitheful merry events coming up at this time at very young age was becoming aware of some foreign obscene music. Modernity was beginning to creep into people’s mind. And people are now working hard to get more money and there were blatant misappropriation of Money in the Government in the full oil boom and all vices that one could think of was beginning to be the order of the day. The naira began to depreciate because of the international relations; it was not at par with dollars again. All of a sudden the rain started to cascade and it stopped abruptly. Father with Mother was carrying the baby tenderly, neighbours coming in dotting numbers sauntered in to block 22 block 1 to greet and pray for the new baby girl: “eku ewu omo o”. while the Father respond by saying: “ e se ma… e se sir….e se gan ni”. Thus the brothers seye and I were gleeful frolicking about mischievously. Ayo said: “…we now have sister”. Seye replied:” Yes” with a resorted childish nod. “ we’ll play with her when she grow…”. Some weeks after she was christened ABOSEDE YEMISI RICHARD with a baptismal name GETRUDE, she was cherubic pulchritudinous in nature. she was blemish to the extent that people started calling her Princess. Her immediate younger brother Seye was just a year older. Two months later she was already babbling! She was sharp than her pairs at one years old. She learnt how to stand upright and walk at a very early age. During her one year birth day she was adorned with clothing and style by putting a red spot on her forehead like and Indian and it was indeed apt for her as a child. They celebrated the birthday at her Grandma’s place. The party was known to be a big one for the neighbourhood children at that time, throughout the… (TO BE CONTINUED)