I got on my laptop to “holla” at all my peeps as usual and felt this unexplained inertia. Suddenly it dawned on me…it’s the season!
It’s that season of the year again when the atmosphere is electric, and everything appears magical (at least for some). It is a period of splurging, dazzling lights and décor, corporate and social events, sharing of gifts and general fun and banter.
The holidays are a joyous time and Havilah encourages you to indulge yourself in things that are self-gratifying – make yourselves happy relaxed and stress-free.
As for Havilah, she intends to hibernate and give her fingers a well-deserved vacation, far away from her laptop.
Wishing you lots of love, happiness, and blessings. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Simbi and Tejumade are two friends working for an upscale multinational company in the manufacturing space. At today’s town hall meeting, they were informed of the company’s decision to wind down its operations in the country as a result of the “unfavourable operating conditions in their host country.” Although the announcement did not catch most employees unawares, they had secretly hoped that the company would continue to weather the storms and keep them gainfully employed. Simbi and Teju, as she was fondly called, simultaneously heaved a huge sigh as they retreated to their favourite relaxation spot in the staff canteen to mull over the information. The news required careful consideration given the harsh economic realities and dearth of viable employment opportunities at the time.
“Teju, your situation is better than mine,” Simbi opined. “At least, Lanre still has his job. My Nnamdi got laid off about a year ago and has been begging to apply since then. I had since assumed the role of the breadwinner and we have managed on my salary and a few contracts Nnamdi has been able to secure.” Teju shook her head in sympathy and replied “Hm… my dear sister, what will happen now, especially with the two children currently in secondary school? Honestly, I wish there were something I can do to assist.” Simbi responded with a smile and a rhetorical phrase – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” She continued “The announcement actually came as no surprise as we all expected it at some time or the other because the signs were pretty evident, so I had actually come up with my plan in the face of any eventuality. I had weighed my options by considering my latent skills and talents which I can now harness for revenue generation. I owe it to my mother who insisted that during my university vacations and in my NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) year, I pick up millinery skills and baking. I will do some refresher courses and brush up on these skills. I guess I could probably make more than I earned as a salary if I concentrate on these two business streams and having worked in an organised sector like ours has its advantages in assisting me better manage the businesses.”
“Lucky you,” Teju replied. I am not that blessed as I have no learned skills outside of my formal education and work experience. Lanre will have to pick up the tab for all bills until I can secure another job.”
“Not so” Simbi replied. “Do not forget you are meant to be a help mate to your husband, not a liability. You must look inward to your innate abilities and talents and use them. This is the time to utilise our training and think outside the box.” “I remember the small chops you made from scratch for your daughter’s naming ceremony a few years back. They were delicious with a unique flavour. Have you thought of commercialising it and expanding your scope? It is never too late to learn a new skill. You will be surprised at what you can achieve.”
“So true” replied Teju. “I like the positive angle you have taken on this. You know, I have a cousin who suffered a similar fate two years ago and has not been able to secure employment since then. All she does is sit at home, mope, and reach out to extended family members for help. The situation has taken a toll on her marriage and health…hmmm, I really think women should understand their empowerment by taking control of their lives. That should reduce the number of able-bodied women I now see begging on the streets.”
Simbi nodded in agreement. “Yes, indeed Teju. I actually consider such women who are begging – lazy. What happened to roasting yams, plantain, groundnut, corn, and the like? Some women even help carry purchases in the marketplace, all in order to earn a living. There is dignity in labour.”
Havilah is of the opinion that we must encourage our youth to learn multiple skills and explore their innate abilities and talents, towards developing their entrepreneurial capabilities. This amounts to value creation and becomes essential in a world where orthodox jobs are becoming scarce. To remain relevant, they must not only hone their skills but also develop a mindset that there is dignity in labour thereby eschewing laziness which attaches a stigma to their person.
Mama Pat as she was proudly referred to in the village, hurriedly finished her dressing as she prepared to attend the merit award ceremony organised by the Federal Government, in which her daughter Patricia, was an awardee. She momentarily felt a wave of sadness that her husband, Borokini, was not alive to witness this day. Patricia had brought pride and joy to the family and so also had David, her brother. She quickly thanked God for the children she had been gifted with and hurried into the car which was waiting to take her to the award ceremony.
Mama Pat had started her primary education at the local village primary school but had not been able to further her education because her parents had been peasant farmers and could not afford to send her to the nearest secondary school which was 6 miles away. She had been forced to learn the trade of pressing palm oil from palm fruits and had gone on to become one of the best palm oil producers in her locality. She had married Borokini, a palm wine tapper and together they had trained their two children Patricia and David, until he passed away. Borokini had passed quite early in their marriage but through the patronage of her childhood friend, Anthonia, she was able to subsist together with the children until fortune smiled on her. She spent time teaching her children true Christian values of honesty, fairness, hard work, and was good at administering appropriate discipline. She taught them to place their confidence in God and that all things work together for good for those who trust in God. Patricia would often return from school to help mama Pat with the oil press and her petty trade. Pat, a highly intelligent and cultured girl was favoured to win the Community scholarship that saw her through secondary school. She later obtained a scholarship admission to an Ivy league university in the U.S.A and the community once again rose up to the challenge of paying for her living expenses during her studies. She graduated Summa cum Laude in Public Administration and returned into public service in her home country. Her quality Service was now being appreciated by the merit award she was about to receive.
Mama Pat’s mind momentarily wandered to her friend Anthonia as she wondered how she was faring. The last she had heard she was bemoaning the fate of her son, Sotonye. Mama Pat and Anthonia had started life as closest friends having been classmates in their local primary school. Anthonia had left the village for the city after her primary education, to live with her aunt in the city. There she had gone on to Secondary school and to the Polytechnic where she graduated with a National Diploma in Business Studies. Thereafter, she had married a business tycoon in the city who had set her up in the palm oil business. She had a thriving business and had reached out to Mama Pat to be one of her suppliers. In partnership with her husband, she had given her three children the best education they could afford. Unfortunately, Anthonia had concentrated on wealth and the luxuries of life, to the detriment of inculcating the right value system in the children. She worked extremely hard and left their training to the school, maids, and cooks, and Sotonye, her youngest child was the most hit by the neglect. She had spoilt Sotonye silly in compensation for the neglect she guiltily acknowledged. Whenever he ran into trouble anywhere, she was quick to bail him out using her money as bribe and bait in diverse situations. Her motto was “money solves all problems”, and Sotonye had come to believe that any and everything could be handled by his mother to his benefit. She had paid for Sotonye to attend a private University in the U.S.A and after a long sojourn of about 8 years, had graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dance. Upon his return home, his parents had utilised their influence and connection to land him a Federal Government appointment. Three years into his office, he was indicted for fraud and mismanagement of funds and kicked out of office with ignominy.
Anthonia while bemoaning Sotonye’s plight, sat watching the Federal Government awards on television and was surprised to see her old friend – Mama Pat’s face among the crowd waiting to witness her daughter’s award. She broke down and wept bitterly. She muttered “Indeed the key to Nation building lies in the hands of women. Instilling the right values starts from home. I never spared the time to teach my children right and see where it landed me. Mama Pat kept advising me, but I ignored her in the belief she was not “forward looking”.
Havilah is of the opinion that mothers are indeed the KEY to Nation building as they have a responsibility to inculcate the right values in their children so that society can experience a positive impact. It is no gainsaying that even from biblical times, the impact of mothers on the values exhibited by their children, has always been evident. That is why, Lois and Eunice got a mention in the bible concerning the way they had brought up Timothy. They had impacted his life positively. I pray we connect the dots as to how we directly or indirectly impact our nation and assist in bringing up citizens with the right values.
Havilah Speaks 