OBINNA AND OMOTOLA BY WURAOLA

 

Obinna and Omotolani

Nna mehn, At last I’m done with school, I miss my days in the university FUTO, Federal University of Technology, Owerri IMO State. The lifestyle, Hostel, My friends especially that stubborn girl ‘Nnenna’ narrated Obinna Emmanuel.

Obi Emmanuel has always wanted to go for NYSC in Lagos. He had never gone to the City of Lagos before and His best friend Nnenna had alot being picking on him on where’s she is from ‘The Mighty City od Lagos’ He always had dreams of going to Lagos, working and making money in the Big city of Lagos.

Obi is from Oba in Anambra state and went to school at FUTO, Owerri were he met his long time friend Nnenna also from Anambra but resides in Lagos as she was born and brought up in Lagos. Obi had always heard about the beautiful city of Lagos, the many people on the street, the overhead bridges, the big companies that pays millions of naira for their workers, lough. Obi want to live his dream life in Lagos, and finally he got the opportunity.

 

Obi: you should know Na, as a Lagos boy that I want to Obi just concluded his Graduation ceremony at FUTO, I’m so excited said Obi, after news of NYSC call up latter that’s soon to be up for registration. Nnenna and Obi was discussing about, Nnenna asked Obi,

Nnenna: what states would you rather choose if this registration form comes out now now?

had always be, I wanted to go there, THE BIG CITY.

Nnenna: Ha ha ha! As if I know that’s what you will say. I hope you get your wish and since Lagos is also where I live, I would want you to live around Surulere so I would visit and disturb this your big head everyday. Be careful sha o, Lagos girls go chop your money o

Obi: Forget that one Nne, besides who says I’m after Lagos girl, Na to connect, make money, chop my life I’m after o. You know this NYSC year is just for me to look at the ground and connect with others so I will not take any wrong step when I get to the BIG CITY.

Nnenna: Hmm, so you wish to settle in Lagos?

Obi: Yes na, shey I’ll now go back to my village Oba ni, Tufia, and Continue my Late father’s fishing business, Tufiakwa, my village people no go do me. Imagine, a Graduate fishing in a local village chai.

Nnenna: No wahala o, I hope for the Best for you my baby boy Obi

(Both Laugh)

2 Days Later…..

And finally, The day has come and Nnenna had to call Obi on his phone several times before she could get a phone call back from him.

Phone Ringing……

Obi: Hello Nne, Wetin happen na, you no let me enjoy my ball o, I was on the field playing football when I saw 20 missed call by only you? I thief your meet????

Nnenna: (Laughing) ha ha! The one wey you thief pass meat o, to be serious have you not heard that the NYSC registration form is out since yesterday.

Obi: Ah, seriously, Thank God o. Chai, and I don’t have data to check the registration o.

Nnenna: lol, Na you know if I no tell you nko, Send your Data number sha, let me help your life (laughing)

Obi later got the information through the school website and was excited to go and complete the registration at a cyber cafe nearby.

Obi filled the form and chose Lagos state as his first choice.

Couple of Hours Later….

Obi: Ah, what is this!

Nnenna: Aiyetoro, Ogun state hmmm, Not too bad for a city boy like you (laughing)

Obi: What is Ogun state, I’ve never heard of that state Nkwanu

Nnenna: Ogun state is a nice place, don’t worry too much and their is another thing you would like to know (bink)

Obi: What is worse than Aiyetoro?

Nnenna: Ogun state is not quite far from Lagos, I could always come to visit you, don’t worry. Just be relaxed.

Obi: I know what to do, just need to do some research about Ogun state, I hope there’s network at Aiyetoro though.

Nnenna: (Laughs) I’m sure there would be…..

Later that night, Obi had to pick up his phone and Learn so many excited thing about Ogun state, learning about its capital Abeokuta, knowing more about the tourism places in Ogun state, about Olumo rock, He said he would love to see this places.

Obi packed his bags and was leaving  for an almost a day Journey from Imo state, the eastern part of the country to Abeokuta, the south western part of the country. Obi was frustrated with the time he will spend for the whole journey.

Obi opted to take a trip by Train from Owerri to Abeokuta,  it was later an entertaining trip for him with the adventure on a train for that long hours. The journey to Abeokuta toon about 16 hours

Obi left Owerri around 5am on a rainy Wednesday morning and got to Abeokuta Railway station around Cutor area of the city around 9:00pm that evening on the same day.

Obi was so exhausted but he had another 30mins Journey from Abeokuta to Aiyetoro. Obi finally got to Aiyetoro and was shopping for this lifetime opportunity in the NYSC camp. Obi and others were in NYSC camp for weeks, after preparing themselves for the camp Activities and entertaining life like meeting new people from all across the country and so on, at the NYSC camp. Obi made a lot of friends from camp because he was a friendly and funny character. Obi gradually learnt the yoruba ways and loved their Respectful attitude towards their elders.

After a very enjoyable and entertaining life at the NYSC camp, Obi was then to Report to his PPA post where he would teach as a Biology teacher at a public secondary school at Aiyetoro town.

At the PPA post, firstly all NYSC members posted to the town will be given an apartment in order to Shelter themselves until 8months of their PPA is complete.

Obi is excited with it because it was quite different from life at camp, Corpers were free to roam about and Go out of Camp but during PPA, they could do anything they wanted as far as they sign their papers issued by their respective PPA returning officers which will grant them permission for clearing their monthly allowance as a NYSC Corper.

First day at PPA…..

Obi was ready for his first day in Aiyetoro community High school, as their new Biology teacher, Obi place of work was just two houses from his place of resident.

The principal of the school had to introduce Corper Obi to the school as the new Biology Teacher, the whole school was excited about his arrival, because in Aiyetoro Town, they so much cherish when Corpers come around from different part of the country and Learn their culture and ways of life.

Obi was happy about the remarks Mr Ayodele, the principal of the school gave him concerning his first day at work. Mr Ayodele was very much known for his integrity, transparency and holiness in the community, Because he is also one of the elders in the community who has a church which brings holiness and peace to the community.

On a faithful day, after 9 weeks at Aiyetoro town, An invite came in from the king of Aiyetoro town about an upcoming event that’s to take place just after the yam festival, the event ‘Isheshe’ festival is a way of celebrating the land ancestors which has restored peace and unity in the land.

Obi and the other NYSC Corpers got an invitation from the king which is an honor for the Corpers to learn more about the cultures and traditions of Aiyetoro Town.

The yam festival was around the corner and the Corpers were told to be in the market when the new yam is a introduced as a way of appeasing the gods, it’s a believe in Aiyetoro.

Obi and others quickly rushed to the Market when Obi noticed a Brown skin Damsel, coming from afar, Her dark long braided as straight and smooth as a horse whip, Her bright eyes like the Morning sun and the way she walks like Agbani Darego, the miss world 2002, The girl was so pretty and yet walking so fast towards Obi, it’s like she was in a hurry thought Obi. while Obi was staring with so much passion, Obi mistakenly fell her baskets filled with fruits and vegetables.

Brown Skin Girl: Yeee, Mogbe! You have destroyed TH fruits which Grandpa sent me from the farm to give to Grandpa.

Obi: Huh (still lost in admiring Her Beauty)

Brown Skin Girl: Shey ee gbo mi ni, Pls help me pick them fast before someone steps on the fruits.

Obi patiently picks the fruits and offers to buy more fruits so she can have good ones to give her grandma.

Omotolani refuses the help and thanked him for helping him pick the few good fruits that were remained. As She was on her way, Obi held her hand and Asked ‘What’s is your name Pretty Damsel’ asked Obi, As she was about to reply.

Two tall guys appeared Behind Obi and said….

First Guy: Hey! Kilonshey Eleyi? Why are you holding her by the hand, don’t you know it’s forbidden?

Second Guy: (looks at the first guy awkwardly) Tola, I’ve been looking for you all over Aiyetoro town, where did you go to?

Omotolani: Bro Suleiman, Ekasun I was on my way to Grandma’s house when my basket full of fruits fell and this man helped me pick them up (she slightly remove her hand which Obi held to earlier)

Omotolani: (Answers the first guys), Oriyomi, how many times have I told you not to Police me anywhere I go to (eyes rolling)

… Suleiman was Omotola’s elder brother, while Oriyomi is a like a family friend but secretly in Love with Omotola)

… Omotola was the Brown skin girl which Obi met in the Market.

Suleiman: I was worried when you left for the farm thread hours ago, you taking that long made Grandma asked me to look for you,

Omotolani: I’m sorry bro Suleiman, Let’s go home now.

Suleiman: And thank you mister, for helping my baby sister with her fruits.

Obi: (Slightly nods) it’s my pleasure Egbon.

Obi: Where will I see you again Omotolani.

Omotolani: ( Surprised and Blushing at the same time)

Oriyomi: See bawo, you’re not seeing her again o, Boda Corper.

Suleiman: Oh, you’re the new Corper that has been doing well for the community. Thank you for that, keep it up.

Suleiman, Oriyomi and Omotolani walks straight home after the exhausted search from both Suleiman and Oriyomi, Omotolani was exhausted after the whole scenery at the Market. Obi also parted ways and joined his friend who were later given three tubers of Yam for their services to the community.

…. Later that Night, just before Obi went to Bed, the only thing that came across Obi’s mind was the Sight of Omotolani, Obi kept saying that name so he wouldn’t forget the sound of the name.

Is this the beginning of a Love story between a Corper Obi  and a Community Girl Omotolani?

Watch-out for .CHAPTER 2

Obinna and omotola chapter 2