(written by

we live by faith and not by sight. At age eleven I had enough ill-fated experiences to make me give up in life. But I never did. It wasn’t my making. God made a way any time I had felt like giving up. How would you feel being an orphan right from birth, struggled to get to the age of ten, and a lunatic takes advantage of you just because he feeds you? One thing I kept a secret till today was that I was brutally raped thrice by the security man in Lawyer Klufio’s house. One of such horrific incidences nearly cost my life. He threatened to kill me if I had reported to Lawyer Klufio. His supposed girlfriend, the house help got to know but also threatened she will make sure I was sacked from the house if I had reported the issue. I lived in fear.

it was my grandmother in tattered clothes. She looked pale and hungry. She gazed at me and shouted, “Adobea.” I looked at my uncle’s wife and asked: "where does this woman know me from? She might be a witch. Auntie, please take me out of here." My grandmother became speechless and wept like a child. I could feel her pain. The very child she saved and sacrificed her entire life for has betrayed her. She looked into my eyes, shook the head, turned and walked away without a word. My uncle’s wife held me close to her chest and said; “You are safe Adobea, I will protect you with my life” My grandmother not too far away from us heard those words. She turned again; this time round silently whispered in tears, “I still love you Adobea.” My ears couldn’t hear that, but my heart did. I denounced and betrayed my own grandmother. I quietly watched her walked away in the hot sunny weather with no pair of slippers on. My uncle’s wife hurriedly closed the gate and we walked inside with her warm hands around me. I felt loved again right in the arms of my enemy.

reported Mr. Klufio had been shot dead in his car right in front of his gate. It wasn’t armed robbery. Nothing of his was taken. The killers left a note on his chest with the inscription; “we are coming for her too.” The Police tried decoding the message but had no clue. I knew I was the next target. The very day I saw Hajia Sekinatu alive I knew I was sanctioned for trouble. That very evening I had a dream. In the dream I was walking with an old lady. We got to a junction and she told me she was thirsty. I had only a sachet of water in my bag and we had hundreds of kilometers more to cover to a destination I didn’t know. She drank all the water and I knew we were certainly going to die of thirst; because we were alone on that journey. After walking for thirty minutes, the old woman again said she was hungry. I had only one pack of food. I willingly gave it out to her. Surprisingly she ate everything. There I knew there was nothing else to survive on. The old woman turned to look at me and whispered, “you must be thirsty and hungry.” I smiled and said, “no grandma.” I knew that was a true lie. I licked my own sweat. Suddenly, the old woman asked if I could give her my pair of slippers because hers had worn out. I knew that was an impossible possibility, because it was a hot sunny weather. I gave it out to her and I solemnly prayed for God’s protection. We walked and walked and it seemed the journey was unending. I turned and asked the old woman; “grandma, where are we going?” she smiled and said: “my daughter, we are going nowhere. Keep walking” Just when I was about to complain and give up, we saw a big river ahead with coconut trees. The closer we got to the river, the farther it moves away. I turned to complain to the old woman and she was nowhere to be found. I shouted and suddenly woke up. I shivered as I tried to find the meaning of the dream.

table when my Uncle had a call that Stella was to be released the following day. She had a Presidential Pardon. My short stay in Prison really helped Stella. I gave her hope and told her Jesus was everything she needed. Stella became the Preacher in the Cell. Prison Officers even came to her cell to listen to her. Stella, who was once a candidate for suicide now gave hope to others. I was so happy for her, but how would she feel knowing very well that I had taken over her position in her family; I thought aloud.

for Stella the following day leaving me at home just to make sure everything was set for her arrival family party. Ten minutes after they had left, the gate bell rang. It was a Dispatch Rider with a parcel for my uncle’s wife. I took the parcel and he left. I was curious as to what might be in that parcel. I placed the parcel on the dining table so I wouldn’t forget to deliver it if my uncle’s wife came back. Two hours later, I heard the gate been opened. I peeped through the window and it was my uncle’s car. The whole family had returned. Immediately, my instinct told me to rush and open that parcel. I took it to the washroom and opened it. Jesus Christ! I screamed. The parcels contained my pictures; pictures taken from when I was in the orphanage and later in Prison. The parcel had a small note attached. “This is the girl, her name is Adobea.” I got frightened and loss of focus. I shivered as I packed the pictures back into the envelope. I hid the parcel under my bed. I rushed to the hall to welcome Stella home. Stella seeing me screamed, “Adobea.” She was so shocked and speechless. Just then we heard a knock at the door. My uncle’s wife opened door. It was the Dispatch Rider. He forgot I had to sign after delivery… (