Friday 20 January 2012



           REARVIEW PERPECTIVE OF 2011-A DOTUN ADESUA STORY.
JANUARY.
After spending memorable festive periods in my Area 11 Garki-home of my hosts, here was a new year 2011. I had to leave Abuja for Bauchi. After recuperating from the achaba(hausa word for motorcycle) mishap I was involved in on the 13th of December 2010. I kissed mild concussion and held it close for over an hour(meaning I passed out)…Themost painful part was the non-payment of my allowee by NYSC despite letters of complaint. Thank to my ‘Mummy Abuja’ (Mrs L. Aiyegbusi) ,who with the the warm family, loaded me with ‘palliative’ kudi. The same month I was mobilized in absentia for INEC voters registration as an Ad-hoc staff. I was posted to Jauro Jaku a distant settlement in Bauchi LGA,not too far from Yankari Games Reserves- a popular tourist attraction site in Nigeria.(if I had one regret-I never visited it) . I owe my warm host-communities like  Kyangare , Jaoro Jaku, Bidolo, to mention but a few a debt of gratitude for blessing me with the scattered Hausa language I now speak.
FEBRUARY.
 Serving dear nation continued due to the additional days for all-inclusive registration,which was so good-more money for the loyal kopa. Though the dilapidated primary school that housed us for over  three weeks was ‘gosh’. Don’t talk about the conveniences when nature called. Electricity-generating set was our saving grace. Food-you go fear how we dey purge. Water – dettol accompanied it. Excessively hot and cold weather in the day and night, respectively-survival instinct was activated. I was appointed the spokesperson for the kopa in that ward. Adesua ,my surname, was my colleagues’ hit song and most played tune. I enjoyed the responsibility  as well as the ‘ popularity’ while it lasted.
MARCH.
 Back to my place of primary assignment-International Secondary School, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. My students really missed there phonetics emitting English-language teacher. The same month I was appointed the President of Publicity Community Development Sercvice(CDS) group. For real, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. I was report directly to the Public Relations Officer  almost every other day, oversee and manage the Corper’s programmes on two radio stations- Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Bauchi and Bauchi Radio Corporation, Bauchi and NTA and the state owned television-BATV. Also, to preside over CDS meetings and liase with others for effective and smooth running of the CDS.
APRIL.
 ‘Mr President’ was up and doing, general elections was around the corner. Kuvuki ,an exco on my team and later became the Community Development Service  president, came up with sensitization programmes against violence,rigging and malpractices which ‘they’ did not allow to see the light of the day. I was posted to Itas Gadau- a 4-hour journey from Bauchi. I went. I saw. I escaped. I conquered. April 18,2011 remains a black day in my memory. Gbenga Akindoye, an alumnus of my alma mater-Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko,Ondo State, called to inform me of Kenny’s demise. My brain went blank…I gathered myself and reflected on how we shared memories of our sojourn in the North, how he gave me a passport size photograph to give to another friend of ours for his Nigeria  Institute of Strategic studies form and even how we ate lafun and okro soup from the same pot and passed the night in a neighbouring room. Adieu Kenny! We became fugitives seeking refuge in our nation. We found succor in the SSS compound and Dr Tayo,my friend, was a corper-doctor at their clinic,call him my own ‘Esther’-prepared to be there for a time such as that.
MAY.
 From Bauchi to Abuja(Rivers state house). From Abuja to Port-Harcourt(my dear sister Busola Ala was my host).From Port Harcourt to Akure(my Dad and loved ones). From Akure to Jos(Femi Moraks,my childhood friend, needed to be reached) and from Jos to Bauchi- all the Mongo Park adventure in 3 (three) weeks. Back to NCCF Bauchi for service to the Lord, ISS-ATBU for service to humanity and private coachings for personal fulfillment and pecuniary gains!
JUNE.
Passing out ceremony was 16 th which I had in Jos with Dele Olowookere(Delman) and AAUA alumnus and friends. Had orientation camp at Wailo, Bauchi, passed out in Jos(passing-out parade) and  collection of discharge certificates(COC) in NYSC hqtrs. Abuja. Funny! Then off to Brookstone School,Port Harcourt for a job interview. Nice experience, though it did not come through.
JULY.
 Lagos- Eko oni baje o! after over one year of visit. I had missed my nephews-Damilola and  Demilade Akinlade and parents, Ose, Ehime and Damilola Okougha and warm parents, bros Kuze(my cousin) and very importantly, my assembly, where I fellowship, the Latter-Rain Assembly, Lagos pastured by Dr. Tunde Bakare.  Signed at FRCN Training school for CREATIVE WRITING course for two good weeks. Worthwhile step,it was! Then, Job application mode actvated.
AUGUST.
 Very very very important month in my family. Aug 1-my mum’s birthday. Aug 14-my Dad’s turn. Aug 27-my twin brother,Dayo, and I mark our entry in to planet earth. Got a sweet TM Lewin shirt gift. Thanks uncle W and aunty T. Job hunting continues using home as the base of operations.

SEPTEMBER.
 Personal development courses undertaken. Met Mr Ayodeji Deji-Irawo after winning a seat at a kingdom creative workshop. He made a world of difference as regards my approach to media and entertainment from a balanced God’s kingdom perspective. I decided to attend  preliminaries lectures of membership class of Apostolic Training School of LRA.
OCTOBER. I joined DE-King’s Vision Limited-X-clusive to Divinity(X2D). Read my previous post titled X2D and I: the experience of a learner and dreamer.
NOVEMBER.
  X2D mode still activated. Met  quite a number of people and sub-brand TANKFUL was underway. Sought greener pastures by going for a couple of interviews.
DECEMBER.
At LatterRain Assembly, we had  a special 31-day Solemn/Sacred Assembly-prayed and fasted  for divine intervention in personal life, family, finances, the nation-Nigeria and the body of Christ(churches)                     All hands on deck for TANKFUL-a January 1st thanksgiving concert. In between I made a journey to Akure, Omuo-Ekiti,and back to Lagos. What a special way to end the year with WatchNight Service on the 31 st ignoring rumours of possible attack by an Islamic sect terrorist group-‘BH’-not Bauchi o but book-a-ram tinz(you understand?)
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And now to him who is MY HELP IN AGES PAST AND HOPE IN YEARS TO COME. Amen   

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