I

In the beginning

1990 - 2000

CHAPTER ONE

••• Childbirth •••

Ayo Olopon is probably one of the oldest local games in Nigeria and has been in existence amongst the Yoruba people since time immemorial. It is called Ayo Olopon

in Yoruba, Oware in Twi, Okwe in Igbo, Ise in Edo, and so on. The first player begins by moving seeds from his right-hand side to the opponent’s side.

Baba sayo was just like this game of interest, maybe God has moved the seed to his household again. It is a blissful evening in the front of Baba Feyi’s house, men of age gathered to play Ayo Olopon when Sayo suddenly appears, looking furtively over her shoulder. “Baami, Maami is about to put to bed. Sisi Toke and Mama Dami have taken her to the hospital,” Sayo trembles. Baba Sayo jumps up without any formality, it is like a moment of heebie-jeebies for Baba Sayo, shook like a leaf. Jumps on his okada with his daughter and zoom off.

* * *

The fear for labour and delivery seems to be very normal, natural and surprisingly even helpful to have. Sayo looks at her father’s eyes, wrinkled in fear. She can imagine different thoughts that will be going on through his mind.

If you have seen One Born Every Minute, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea of what goes down during childbirth. When you are told to push like you are doing a defecation reflex, when contractions were like a muscle spasm, and every scream of pains sounds like death calling. Although, it is not a new thing to Mama Sayo, it is just a thing under nature. At last, she was relieved when the doctor said: “Congratulation, it’s a boy.” Beaming smile fetched her lips.

Traditionally, an African woman is not a woman enough if she cannot bear children especially a male child. Being a mother brings enough joy. The rewards heavily outweigh the sacrifices women make during their nine months of pregnancy,

can’t just imagine the position Mama Sayo after childbirth. It’s difficult to put into words how the power of God works, and the indescribable joy she feels.

Baba Sayo has been caught up with the fear and the anxiousness of an expectant fathers, who are eagerly waiting to hear the outcome of their jewels. Baba Sayo Jumps up and hotfoot towards the Doctor that was talking to a nurse.

“What about my wife? Hope everything is okay?” Baba Sayo asked in a worrisome manner.

The Doctor chuckled and replied, “Mr Ademola, congratulations, your wife has delivered a bouncing baby boy.” Baba Sayo couldn’t retain his possession, and overflowing joy after hearing “a bouncing baby boy”. The Doctor cautioned him not to disturb other patients as he receives greetings of congratulation from the people waiting to be attended to and other visitors.

It is like an intense attachment between Sayo’s parents. The way they smiled at each other, looking at their new cute little man. Sayo on the other hand was overwhelmed, looking at her baby brother on her father’s hand. Maybe it’s a form of connection, when Sayo was blushing for her mother as Baba Sayo flatters Mama Sayo - “The apple of my eye, just take some rest, let’s me see the doctor.” Baba Sayo sounds tending in love.

CHAPTER TWO

••• Naming Ceremony •••

Traditionally, a naming ceremony is held to give a child an identity, it is the time to recognize the child by name, for it is by our names that each one of us is acknowledged as an individual, a unique and separate person.

Presenting their child after eight days, Sayo’s parents invited everyone to the event, people from different walks of life are seen in colourful dresses to share in the joy and support them as Baba and Mama Sayo undertake to help, with love and guidance, the fullest unfolding of the personality of their new baby entrusted to their care by God.

Baba Sayo was well dressed, putting on ironed starched guinea attire; seen welcoming his friends and his caucus from Ayo joint. Even the Okada association crews were present. One can say that the child brought ese ire to their home, after the birth of his new child, the chairman of the Okada association has given Baba Sayo a position in the Okada association committee .

Mothers have a lot of wishes on naming ceremony: I hope my child looks on today and see a parent who had time to play, Mama Sayo lapsed for seconds and soliloquized. She can’t just express the joy in her when she is looking at her new baby. Women with afafeyeye, glide the lily of makeups and her gele in a vaunting manner. She also welcomed her friends from the walks of life and her friends from the tailor association.

Families and friends are all seated, Baba Sayo and Mama Sayo also seated on either side of the Pastor. The Pastor starts with an opening prayer of thanksgiving to God for the seed He preserved, watched over and turned into a matured baby, and his

protection of the mother and the child through the process of delivery. A couple of praise of songs, the Pastor shares the importance of the ceremony and makes references to the significance of the water, salt and honey, which Baba Sayo has provided already. The Pastor asked Baba Sayo to publicly announce the name, then the Pastor turned to confer on their newborn child.

Traditionally, African names often have unique stories behind them. From the day or time, a baby is born to the circumstances surrounding the birth, several factors influence the names parents choose for their children. This saying in Yoruba language* “Ile la n wo ta to somo loruko,” *that is, the background of child is important before we give a child a name. Baba Sayo has been prone after he has been promoted in his place of work. He named the child “Ayodele” (Joy has come home). Ayodele is a unisex name for a baby whose birth brought happiness.

After naming, the child will taste the water and the honey with a teaspoon. The salt may be referred to as something the child will grow to appreciate when he becomes “the salt of the earth” as a born-again believer in Christ’s body. Also after the final prayer for the child and parents, the bowl or plate of honey is taken round, a drop is put on the finger of all the presents, who will suck the honey and pronounce a blessing on the child. Different gifts in different sizes from different personalities were given to Baba and Mama Sayo. Then, Baba Sayo formed a caucus for refreshments, it is a party after party day in Agboola’s compound, Sayo also enjoyed her day to the fullest.

CHAPTER THREE

••• Troubled Heart •••

“At birth,

You are a carbon copy of your mother.”

10 years later...

One will certainly say Ayodele is just a male version of his mother or just a reflection of his mother with his look and way of doing things. Ayodele is now in JSS 1 at Cetta’s High School. It is time for 2nd midterm holiday.

Night had fallen and almost everybody is on the bed. Ayodele sat alone in the sitting room. A body of water settled inside his eyes like a lake. It rolled down his cheeks in rivulets and broke off manner. Ayodele was unhappy with himself. Sitting helplessly and hopelessly like a lost cause on the cushioned chair. Sorrow from the abyss of a troubled heart, Ayodele felt thoroughly abandoned, like a stone at the bottom of a lake when he recapped all his mother’s scolding words after giving her his midterm test results.

“Olodo! Your mates are scoring As’.” “Take a look at your sister’s results!” “Can’t you just read like your sister?” “Or are you just dull naturally?” “Maybe you should learn a mechanic?” “Because I can’t stand this anymore!” “I am tired!”

His mother’s scolding trounced words echoed on his head over and over again. In a tempestuous manner, he threw his school bag at the wall and screamed,

“I hate school!”

“I hate books. Why is it always like this? “

Screaming and crying.

His mother without delay; speedily rushed down to him from her room. She carried him and pats him.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Why am I different?” Ayodele mumbled.

Mama Sayo knew that it would be a big mistake to talk about Ayodele’s test. She took his hand and looked at him firmly.

“Nothing is wrong with you, my baby.”

“I am sorry I shouted at you,” She replied in a deplorable manner. After some mother’s caresses compassion from Mama Sayo, She managed to pat him to sleep.

* * *

It is the sole purpose of a parent to protect his or her child. Therefore when a child gets hurt or disheartened, the parent feels the pain tenfolds. Mama Sayo wished she could take Ayodele’s pain away. She was unable to sleep; she hummed to herself from time to time.

Baba Sayo on the other side of the bed is profound in sleep, snoring like an apparatus that produces gas.

Can’t blame him, working in the sun and rain just to provide food and shelter for his family and making them comfortable is not an easy task - The quality of fatherhood can be set in the aspirations, hard-work and goals he sets for his children.

Mama Sayo needs someone to hash out her worries too. She gently pats Baba Sayo to wake up.

“Baba Sayo, wake up, I want to talk to you,” She asked with regard.

“Mama Sayo, why are you still awake?” Baba Sayo asked, trying to clear his eyes and sit upright on the bed.

“I am worried about Ayodele’s education.”

“I have tried all my possible efforts to make him understand the importance of education,” Mama Sayo said quiet affirmatively.

“I know you have tried your possible best, I just pray and believe he will catch up very soon.”

“When, Baba Sayo? When?“ She exclaimed.

“You know how many schools that enrolled him before he got to Secondary school.” “I know, Mama Sayo. You have to take things easy and wish for the best,” mildly holds her.

“I think Agboola’s compound is one of his problems, maybe environmental Influence is too much on him,” Mama Sayo suggested.

Agboola’s compound can be described as a bedlam, crazy, nuthouse in the neighborhood – full of different junkies, bizarre attitudes. According to the saying, “It takes a thief to catch a thief.”- Mr Agboola is a gentleman but once it comes to the issue of some of his crazy tenants, he goes wild because he believes they just want to play smart on him.

Agboola’s compound is well known in the neighbourhood with different kinds of tenants – The prayer warrior (Sister Tomiwa), just be thankful she is not next-door else no quality bedtime for you. Baba Dami and his family can relate to this. Sister Tomiwa can pray from morning to morning non-stop and woe betides you if you complain. The tipsters, Tunde and his gangs. Tunde, popularly called “Tunapa” by his boys. Tunde and his boys have been arrested for different atrocities. They even changed Mr Agboola’s name to “Agbos Baba”. Iya Bisi and her daughter are another case study in the compound. The other tenants don’t want to come across these people. They can borrow everything you have including utensils and ingredients and the annoying thing is they do not have anything for you to borrow. A big-time bombshell when Bisi asked Sister Ruth to borrow her new undies. “ Please, help us, a friend in need is a friend indeed” is Bisi and her mother’s slogan. Sister Ruth, the incognito, you never know whether she is home because her door is always shut. You only get to see her once in a while.

The other tenants wonder whether they are living in a guest house or hoe house, Sisi Toke and her crews have visitors every minute. They call themselves ladies of pleasure.

If you’re wondering how Mr Agboola gets to know what happened even if he wasn't at home when the incident occurred, Okun is the mole. Okun is just thirty-three but he is the oldest tenant in the compound. Okun has lived all his life in Agboola’s compound. His father passed on and Okun inherited the title “chief tenant.” Mr Agboola treats him like his personal assistant.

...And much more tenants in Agboola‘s compound.

“I think he needs to go back to the hostel. “She suggested.

“Mama Sayo, have you forgotten that Ayodele was sent home from the hostel because he smashed a broken bottle on his mate that teased him, calling him olodo.”

“But...”

“No, but… Come here.” Baba Sayo mildly hugged her “Everything will be fine, let’s sleep dear,” Baba Sayo whispered as he puts off the light.

CHAPTER FOUR

••• Dyslexia •••

2020

An effulgent day, it is October 8, the world Dyslexia awareness day. The month of October has been a work time for the Dyslexia Nigeria team. Events are organized to create more awareness and enlightenment to people about Dyslexia. The Non-Governmental Organization has set up an annual Dyslexia Dialogue: UNMASKING DYSLEXIA. The Leader made the initial introductions, and then the master of ceremony invited the MD of AJ Foundation (An NGO that focuses on creating awareness on sickle cell disease and ensuring that SCD warriors get access to quality health care). Also, the presence of several artists and a lecturer of African philosophy were acknowledged. Claps echo from the audience as Dr Ademola of African philosophy collected the microphone. He greeted everyone then speaks softly with a beaming smile on his face, “When I was told I was going to be one of the chief speakers of this special occasion, I was so happy.

Over time, we have seen so many scenarios in our school systems. We see children, young and promising, anxious and delightful; but one thing labels them. They seem to be different; they learn differently, their brain seems confused.

We often call them Olodo in the Nigeria region (meaning dullard), but are they dull?

What could be wrong?

Why do they learn differently? Why?” Dr. Ademola asked with no expectation from audience. One could say Dr Ademola talks with great acuteness and keenness that grabs the audience attention. Dr Ademola continued, “So many Why’s. But what if it is not their fault, what if they are sick? What if they have Dyslexia?

Dyslexia...

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. Dyslexia refers to a cluster of symptoms that result in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading. Students

with dyslexia often experience difficulties with both oral and written other language skills such as writing, and pronouncing words.” The Non-Government Organization has invited a lot of schools over for the annual events. Dr Ademola has encouraged them to ask any question. A little girl from Celta’s high school raised her hand, "Yes Girl” Dr Ademola pointed to the girl. "Is dyslexic curable,” the girl asked. Dr Ademola answered,

"Dyslexic is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain. There is no cure for dyslexia and individuals with the condition must learn coping strategies.” The little girl shows a sign of satisfaction to her question. Dr Ademola continued, “Research indicates that dyslexia has no relationship to intelligence, individuals with dyslexia are neither more nor less intelligent than the general population.

In Public school setting, where many teachers are not knowledgeable about this condition, students with dyslexia maybe considered stupid or lazy.” One of the reporters at the event asked the causes of dyslexia. Dr Ademola explained, “The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear, but anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the way the brain of a person with dyslexia develops and functions. The causes of dyslexia are neurobiological and genetic. Individuals inherit the genetic links for dyslexia. Chances are that one of the child’s parents, grandparents has dyslexia.

With a proper diagnosis, appropriate instruction, hard work, and support from this NGO, family, teachers, friends and others, individuals who have dyslexia can succeed in school and later as a working adult.”

A little boy from Saint Ruth nursery and primary school timidly raised his hand and asked, “Uncle, how do I know if someone has dyslexia?” Dr Ademola move closer to the little boy and patted him on the head,” Hey little man, consider seeking consultation from a specialist or doctor if someone observed some dyslexia questions like,

“Do you read slowly?”

“Do you have trouble learning how to read when you were in school?” “Are you comfortable reading out loud?”

“Do you often have to read something two or three times before it makes sense?” “Do you omit, transpose, or add letters when you are reading or writing?”

Dr Ademola moved back to the podium as he explained the measures that can be taken, “If children who have dyslexia receive effective phonological awareness and phonics

training in kindergarten and 1st grade, they will have significantly fewer problems in learning to read at grade level than those children who are not identified or helped until 3rd grade. Children with dyslexia should be treated with love and understanding. LOVE is the keyword here, parents, teachers, guardians, family members, friends of any dyslexic patient should understand that they didn't choose to be dyslexic and the more reason we should help them get better together. Since dyslexic patients learn slowly, we need to

constantly engage them, show them practical definitions to terms.” Dr Ademola said quite optimistic. He adjusted his glasses and continued,” Please note, being lazy in school or showing less attention for academics is not a sign of dyslexia, it is laziness!”

Everybody laughed.

“A child might just be lazy to learn. Find out properly before you conclude and when you do, don’t stop there; help them become better. Thank you.” A very big round of applause for him please. He dropped the microphone and hotfoot to his seat. It was an amazing day at the annual event with different learning talks and games.

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